With over 7,000 finishers, it is one of the ten largest marathons in the United States.[3]
Race history
Finishers by year, total and men and women
Scott Keenan, a member of the North Shore Striders running group, had the idea to start a marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth but was turned down by local banks and businesses in 1976.[4] The newly opened Grandma's Restaurant was the only local business that would sponsor the then-fledgling event, providing $600 out of a race budget between $600 and $1200.[5][6] The registration fee for the first running of the event was $3, with a $4 late registration fee.[7][8][9] In 1986, Grandma's Saloon and Deli announced it could no longer afford to provide Grandma's Marathon the budget it deserved. It contributed $55,000, but the race had an estimated budget of $250,000 that year.[10]
Grandma's was first run in 1977 with only 160 participants, ten of whom were women.[11] The race initially started at the split between Scenic Highway 61 and the Highway 61 expressway in Two Harbors. A red truck driven by Gordy Nichols led the runners along the race course.[12]
The first race was won by Minnesotan and 1976 Olympic 10000m runner Garry Bjorklund and Wendy Hovland.[13][14] Bjorklund wore leather shoes for most of the race which proved to be slippery, changing them into a pair with "more bounce" in front of a supper club called London House in Duluth.[15] The first running of Grandma's Marathon had a four hour time-cutoff, however multiple runners finished after this mark.[16] The last place finisher in 1977 was Dr. Leonard Linnell, who finished in 6 hours and 5 minutes.[17]
Aid stations in the 1977 through 1980 races offered water and a sports drink called ERG, which stood for electrolyte replacement with glucose.[18][19][20] Aid stations since at least 2016 have provided water and Powerade.[21][22][23]
Grandma's Marathon is now run by almost 20,000 participants every year, has nearly a $2 million operating budget and is credited with increasing tourism within the city of Duluth.[24][25][26] The race is a major event on the North Shore, filling hotels in many cities around Duluth. Thousands of runners and visitors fill the marathon, half and 5 km races. As of 2016, VisitDuluth estimated 65,000 people visit Duluth for Grandma's and spend a total of $10 million.[27][28] After high numbers in the 1990s and 2000s, 2009 was the first time in 15 years that all of the 9,500 available spots were not filled, leading to a deficit in the race budget. Executive director Scott Keenan suggested that the economy was the main reason for the downturn in participants.[29][30] Lifetime entries were offered in 1987 (for $100) and again in 1990 (for $125) to help increase the number of runners entering the race.[31][32]
The men's record for Grandma's is 2:09:06, set in 2014 by Dominic Ondoro of Kenya.[33][34] The previous record of 2:09:37, set in 1981 by Wayzata, Minnesota-native Dick Beardsley stood for 33 years before being broken.
The US Army 477th Medical Company provided first aid assistance for Grandma's Marathon since 1980.[36][37][38][39]
In 1986, an eight year old named Erin Seitz was volunteering at an aid station at Grandma's Marathon and was injured when a van struck her.[40] She broke two bones in the incident.
In 2001, Grandma's Marathon first used ChampionChip timing devices. The devices were attached to runners' shoes and were collected at the end of the race.[41] Previously, finishers had to line up in narrow chutes at the finish so race officials could detach a section of each runner's bib containing a bar code, where they would be stuck onto a spindle, and later entered into a computer.
In 2005, Halina Karnatsevich was the first finisher with a time of 2:33:39 but she was later disqualified for failing her post-race doping test.[42]
In 2007, Grandma's Marathon race officials seized portable media players at the start of the race and mailed them back to their owners to comply with USATF rules banning the use of headphones. About 30 runners who ignored the ban were disqualified that year.[43]
The 35th edition of the marathon in 2011 had its first photo-finish: eventual winner Christopher Kipyego mistook the electronic timing mat for the finish point and prematurely stopped, leading to an impromptu sprint finish against Teklu Deneke. Just two tenths of a second ended up separating the pair.[44]
The 37th running of the race in 2013 saw the first time that more people registered for the Bjorklund Half Marathon than Grandma's Marathon. There were 7,835 registered for the Bjorklund Half Marathon but only 7,338 people registered for Grandma's Marathon.[45][46]
The 40th annual race in 2016 set a record for the largest number of finishers at 7,423.[47] 2016 also saw a record number of female finishers at 3,742, just short of the men's total at 3,780.[48]
In 2020, Grandma's Marathon added a woman to its official logo in a move organizers said was "long over-due."[49]
The race was run every year for 44 years until the COVID-19 pandemic. Race officials monitored the spread of COVID-19 in the state, and as the count of infected grew in St. Louis County, concerns mounted. On March 25, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a "stay at home" executive order for all citizens of the state. Three days into the "stay at home" order, Grandma's Marathon officials announced that, for the first time, the marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K would be canceled. No refunds or deferments were granted, but officials offered those who had already signed up a 40 percent discount on the 2021 or 2022 race.[50][51]
In 2023, Grandma's Marathon announced the Running to Common Ground program which offers 500 discounted entries to underrepresented communities and cultures.[52] This built upon the introduction of a non-binary division starting in 2022.
The 48th annual race in 2024 set a new event record for the largest number of finishers at 7,536.[53] With 3,126 female finishers, 2024 did not surpass the 2016 record number of female finishers at 3,742.[54]
The Grandma's Marathon course has several iconic landmarks, including:
What started in 1977 as a single race has grown to a weekend of running events hosted by the Grandma's Marathon organization.[59]
Thursday starts the health expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Races begin Friday, kicked off with Whipper Snapper races for kids at Bayfront Festival Park, followed by the William A. Irvin5K, which was first run in 1994. The race is named after the Great Lakes ore boat docked in the slip at the canal; the course starts at the stern, circles the canal area and finishes at the bow. Nearly 2,000 runners participate.
Early Saturday morning, the Garry BjorklundHalf Marathon, kicks off, sending more than 7,000 runners south on Scenic Route 61 to Duluth. The half marathon was first run in 1991 and has since eclipsed the marathon in participation by a few hundred runners. The race starts near the Talmadge River.[60]
The half marathon begins at 6:00 am. The full marathon begins at 7:40 am for men's elite and sub-elite, followed by women's elite, sub-elite and citizens at 7:45.
Throughout the rest of the year, the Grandma's Marathon organization runs other races, such as the Fitger's 5k, the Park Point 5 Miler, and the Grandma's Minnesota Mile.[61] Grandma’s Marathon was the 10th largest marathon in the United States in 2023
^Marx, Patrick (19 June 1980). "Grandma's marathon makes strides towards acceptance". Minneapolis Tribune.
^Weegman, Rick (20 June 2020). "Daugherty on quite a run - Grandma's Restaurant Co. president recalls memorable 1986 marathon, contributions to race". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Roe, Joe (9 June 1985). "The Man Who Runs Grandma's Marathon". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
^Brophy, Bill (24 April 1977). "On Shore flatlands and Duluth hills they'll race". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Goebel, Jim (12 June 1977). "Hoag, Sundquist join Grandma's Marathon". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Frazzini, Kevin (23 June 2002). "RETRO - Then and now: Grandma's Marathon". Minnesota Star Tribune..
^Hobbs, Maurice (14 September 1986). "Demand brings Grantsburg's Syttende Mai back from the dead". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
^Goebel, Jim (12 June 1977). "Hoag, Sundquist join Grandma's Marathon". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Hallback, Patti (11 June 2022). "LOCAL VIEW - First Grandma's marathoners were an amusing, odd sight". Duluth News Tribune.
^Weiner, Jay (23 June 1979). "Grandma's Deli Serves Up Popular Duluth Marathon Today". Minneapolis Tribune.
^Weiner, Jay (5 June 1983). "Grandma's race has become Duluth festival". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
^Augustoviz, Roman (26 June 1977). "26 Miles-Just a Snap for Bjorklund". Duluth News Tribune.
^Hobbs, Maurice (25 April 1993). "True marathoner? It's a matter of time". Minnesota Star Tribune.
^Augustoviz, Roman (26 June 1977). "He finished last in marathon-but in style". Duluth News Tribune.
^Augustoviz, Roman (26 June 1977). "26 Miles-Just a Snap for Bjorklund". Duluth News Tribune.
^Stodghill, Mark (23 June 1978). "Grandma's race 'in the oven'". Duluth News Tribune.
^Cook, Sam (18 June 1980). "Novice hopes to finish run". Duluth News Tribune.
^King, Bob (19 June 2016). "2016 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Finishers". Duluth News Tribune. p. 11.
^Haselbauer, Ben (24 June 2016). "From start to finish, Grandma's was great". Duluth News Tribune.
^St. George III, Louie (12 June 2018). "Volunteering to Run". Duluth News Tribune.
^Pates, Kevin (17 June 2016). "Marathon played role in Duluth renewal I-35 extension, Canal Park cleanup were catalysts in making city a tourist destination". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Kraker, Dan (16 June 2016). "Duluth tourism boom continues". Minnesota Public Radio News.
^Pates, Kevin (14 June 1998). "PERSEVERANCE A FAMILY TRADITION MOTHER KEEPS MARATHON RUNNERS RETURNING HOME". Duluth News-Tribune.
^"For some, Grandma's Marathon is the deal of a lifetime". Duluth News-Tribune. 16 June 2011.
^St George III, Louie (22 June 2014). "GRANDMA'S MARATHON MEN - Kenya's Ondoro rides late surge to beat Beardsley's 33-year-old record". Duluth News-Tribune.
^"Grandma's Marathon: Dominic Ondoro breaks Beardsley's 33-year-old record". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 20 June 2014.
^Wellens, Matt (23 June 2024). "In a class by - Belarusian Olympian Mazuronak wins women's marathon by more than six minutes". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Peterson, Tom (21 June 1981). "Klecker finishes 8th despite broken toe". Duluth News Tribune. p. 46.
^Lyden, Richard (4 July 1981). "Blanket burglars cost marathon". Duluth News Tribune.
^Lyden, Richard (27 June 1982). "Thanks to all who helped with marathon medical care". Duluth News Tribune.
^Pates, Kevin (16 June 2010). "Grandma's Marathon". Duluth News Tribune.
^"TEEN WINS $700,000 INJURY AWARD". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 7 October 1995.
^Pates, Kevin (12 June 2001). "KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES BY POPULAR DEMAND, GRANDMA'S WILL BECOME LAST MAJOR U.S. MARATHON TO IMPLEMENT MICROCHIP TIMING". Duluth News-Tribune.
^Olson, Rochelle (15 December 2006). "Marathon winner is disqualified - The top female runner at this year's Grandma's Marathon tested positive for steroid use". Minnesota Star Tribune.
^"First-timers, old salts come together for race". Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC). 3 April 2008.
^Pates, Kevin (18 June 2011). "Kipyego leads pack in closest finish in Grandma's Marathon history". Superior Telegram..
^Grandma's Marathon staff (31 March 2020). "COVID-19 Update/Cancellation". grandmasmarathon.com. Duluth, Minnesota. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
^Wellens, Matt (15 June 2023). "Grandma's Marathon steps up diversity efforts". Duluth News-Tribune.
^In 2006, after finishing first, Karnatsevich was disqualified after testing positive for steroids. She was banned from competition until 2008, but her 2005 results remained unchanged.
^Pates, Kevin (22 June 2024). "Elisha Barno wins sixth Grandma's Marathon; Volha Mazuronak sets women's course record - Mazuronak has twice finished fifth at the Olympics, but can't compete this year because Belarus is banned". Minnesota Star Tribune.
