2026 Grandma's Marathon - Jun 20

2026 Grandma's Marathon - Jun 20 Race Completed

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Race Information

Race2026 Grandma's Marathon - Jun 20
CityDuluth
Date2026-06-20 at 07:45
Field Size~9,500 runners
Time Limit7 hours
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Official SiteGrandma's Marathon - Duluth, Inc.

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature13°C / 55°F
Humidity66%
Wind13 km/h
Rain Chance35%
Typical ConditionsCool, variable mid-June lakeside morning — Lake Superior keeps it crisp

What to Prepare: Mid-June mornings on Lake Superior are cool but unpredictable: a typical race-day low is around 51°F / 11°C climbing toward 70°F / 21°C, though the start horn has greeted runners with everything from the 30s to the 80s°F. Lake-effect breezes and possible fog along the shore keep it crisp at the 7:45 a.m. start. Dress for cool and shed layers; on a warm year, run by effort and hydrate early.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 13 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypePoint-to-point
Elevation Gain124m
TerrainRoad (Lake Superior North Shore)
ProfileA famously fast, gently rolling point-to-point course with a net drop of about -130 ft (740 ft start to 610 ft finish) and only about +124 m (407 ft) of total climbing. Starting on a rural stretch outside Two Harbors, it follows Scenic Highway 61 along the Lake Superior shoreline for some 20 miles before reaching Duluth. The one real test is Lemon Drop Hill near mile 22, and the race finishes in historic Canal Park beside the Aerial Lift Bridge. USATF-certified (MN25002DT) and a popular Boston qualifier.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Grandma's Marathon - Jun 20

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Featured In

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you register for Grandma's Marathon, and is it sold out?

Entry is open registration (no lottery), but it now sells out fast — the 2026 full marathon sold out in roughly a day. With the 2026 race full, the next general entry is 2027, with registration typically opening in early October the year before. Until then your realistic options are a charity-partner bib for 2026 or watching for any official transfer window.

Is the Grandma's Marathon course flat and fast, and how much elevation is there?

It is one of the fastest courses in the U.S. — a gently rolling, net-downhill point-to-point with a net drop of about -130 ft (740 ft down to 610 ft) and only about +124 m / 407 ft of total climbing. Nearly three-quarters of the route is flat grade; the one notable climb is Lemon Drop Hill near mile 22, which bites late in the race.

Is Grandma's Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes — it is consistently rated one of the best Boston-qualifying races. The course is USATF-certified (MN25002DT), its small net drop is well within Boston rules with no downhill time adjustment, and its BQ rate is among the highest of any U.S. marathon — typically around 15% of finishers qualify for Boston (roughly 1,100–1,400 qualifiers a year, climbing toward 19% in a fast year like 2023). Check your target with our Boston Qualifying Calculator.

What time does Grandma's Marathon start, and what is the time limit?

The full marathon starts in waves on Saturday morning, with citizen runners off at 7:45 a.m. CT (elites at 7:40 a.m.). The course carries a 7-hour time limit — about a 16:00-per-mile pace. Runners who fall behind that cutoff are asked to move to the sidewalk, where aid stations are no longer available.

What is the course like, and what scenery do you see?

The route is a scenic point-to-point along Scenic Highway 61 on Lake Superior's North Shore, starting near Two Harbors and hugging the big lake for some 20 miles into Duluth. You finish in historic Canal Park beside the Aerial Lift Bridge, cheered by tens of thousands of spectators. Cool lakeside air, evergreen shoreline, and big-lake views define the run.

What is the weather like in Duluth in mid-June?

Expect cool but variable conditions: a typical race-morning low near 51°F / 11°C warming toward 70°F / 21°C, with Lake Superior breezes and the chance of shoreline fog. June here is famously unpredictable — past races have started in the 30s°F and finished in the 80s°F — so pack for cool weather but be ready to run by effort if it turns warm.

How big is Grandma's Marathon, and when was it founded?

The full marathon caps at about 9,500 runners, and the wider weekend (with the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and a 5K) draws over 18,000 participants — one of the ten largest marathons in the U.S. First run in 1977 with 160 starters, the race is named for original sponsor Grandma's Restaurant, and 2026 marks its 50th edition.

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