Grandma's Marathon
Duluth, USA · Third Saturday of June
A gently net-downhill cruise along the Lake Superior shore into Duluth. Simple, scenic, and fast — the classic choice for a summer BQ attempt when everything else is too hot.
Course
Elevation gain
90 m
Net elevation
-40 m
Finishers
~9,000
Month
June
Third Saturday of June
Race-day weather
Median start temp
12°C
Historical range
7–22°C
Hot-year risk
Moderate
Lake Superior keeps the shoreline cool most years, but June can bite; early start mitigates.
Getting in
First-come, first-served. The rare fast June marathon — popular but usually gettable. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Grandma's Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Grandma's Marathon a fast course?
Yes, it is a fast course by big-marathon standards. The course has 90 m of total elevation gain. We rate it 8/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Grandma's Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 12°C, with a historical range of roughly 7–22°C. Lake Superior keeps the shoreline cool most years, but June can bite; early start mitigates.
How do you get into the Grandma's Marathon?
First-come, first-served. The rare fast June marathon — popular but usually gettable.
Is the Grandma's Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Grandma's Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times. Note that it is not eligible for records due to its point-to-point or net-downhill layout, but that does not affect Boston qualifying.