As owners of a running store, travelling 1500 km to Grandma's was well worth it. Been to Boston, NY, Chicago and so forth; This race sits with them as the best in the country. From the expo which reminded my wife of the 80's with her Dad where our kids walked with their bag held open while samples were tossed in, to the jet fighter start, great (unchanged) route, the train to the start, winners names in the stars of the Canal Park sidewalks, the tee shirt (only) when you finish which is the way all races should be, to the love affair this city has with its' race on race day - fantastic! You have to do a lot of races to enhance your understanding how much the Race Director here does it right. And please people who comment on this or any other race about the course being long because of 'what my Garmin said' would you please understand that your course is measured correctly and that you ran that much extra in going off of the correct line to running the route!

I did this race in 2011 and it's still my personal best. That year the weather was perfect, cool with a touch of light rain and slight tailwind. Unfortunately due to the rain there were not a ton of spectators lining the point-to-point course but there were still several big groups people out there. Race is well organized and the finish is great as you run through the downtown.

As many others have pointed out, this is an extremely well-organized event (I've done 18 other marathons, and I think this one had the best organization of all, especially considering the number of participants). Communication before the race was excellent, and I appreciated the heads-up about the construction that blocked one of the nearby roads. My friend and I stayed at one of the dorms, and at check-in we were given directions to the expo (in order to avoid the construction) and information about restaurants nearby.

I was a bit nervous about traffic at the expo since the 5K would be finishing just before we arrived, but by 7 PM most of the runners had left and we found a parking place easily. The shuttles were great, and we arrived early and were able to relax in the sun until the start. There wasn't much shade on the course, but luckily the tempature dropped about 2 hours into the race and from then on the weather was perfect. Spectators were few and far between until the last 4-5 miles, but the scenery was pretty enough that I didn't miss them. However, there were tons of spectators for those last few miles-all of whom were loud and enthusiastic-which made the end of this race much easier than other races!

Best of all were the volunteers and groups who passed out food during the last 4-5 miles, including fresh fruit (bananas, oranges and strawberries) as well as the usual candy. It was enough that I didn't even need my last GU! The food at the end was varied and there was plenty for everyone, and I really appreciated the changing areas for runners (we've all changed in a port-a-potty and while it can be done, it's never a good experience).

All in all, a wonderful race! I just wish I lived closer so I could do it every year :)

Let me begin by saying that my comments will be biased because I was fortunate enough to BQ at Grandma's, and I lived in Duluth from 1992-98 and met my fabulous wife there. But ...

Grandma's is top-notch. After running and 'finishing' the canceled-because-of-heat Green Bay Marathon on May 20, I registered for Grandma's and found a room at the University of Wisconsin-Superior dorms. From the start-line coach-bus transportation through the medals around the neck, Grandma's knows how to do everything right.

Sure, fan support is not huge from Miles 0 through 19. But it's pretty good, and we need the fans from Mile 20 onward and they're there, let me tell you. (I used to be one of them.) The water stops are well-stocked, the volunteers are super nice, and the city (by and large) welcomes the traffic interruptions. What a joy.

As for lodging, having lived in Duluth, I get why they have the two-night-stay minimums, because the innkeepers rely on Grandma's weekend to make some dough. But I got a UWS dorm for one night with no problem.

OK, so the lot outside the expo charges for parking. So ... park across the freeway, and walk.

The only constructive criticism I have were the port-a-potties at the start. Need more. I was expecting a ton of them based on prior comments. Not so. And sheriff's deputies patrolling the woods to make sure we didn't urinate as God intended? That would've been funny, had I not been worried about making it through the outhouse line on time.

But I did. And I BQ'd. In the beautiful city on the lake where I met my wife and spent seven glorious years.

Green Bay can learn a lot from its sister city on the Great Lakes. Let me tell you. They might have an NFL team, but they're bush league compared to Duluth when it comes to marathons.

This race was really awesome - this is my 10th marathon and likely the best race thus far. Course was nice and flat, weather cooperated, really good crowd support (people lined the course every few miles when there was another town), very good finish & post race area. Only drawbacks; start was so congested I could not get up toward the right pace pack thus I had to run through tons of +3:40 runners. As well, the pace groups spread across the entire course and were tough to pass. One last drawback (tiny nit) was the folks between Twin Harbors & Duluth played loads of non-'pump-up' music. How about some more Flo Rida & Pitbull next year! Thanks for a great race!

Loved the course. Weather was good. Duluth was a great host city. UMD dorms couldn't have been more convenient. Saturday race made the evening rehydration more fun! Ran with 3:25 Pace Group. Finished with pacer Darris in 3:24:26!

Pro's:
-Nice Course, Gentle rolling hills, Lake views. Good mix of forest/city. There were fewer turns and obviously fewer runners than Chicago, which make for easier crowd navigation.
-Ample aid stations/water stops. They were prepared for a warm day. They had wet sponges and ice, which was a plus.
-Nice shirt/ Great Medal(no paint to cheapen it.)
-Friendly fans. Some music on the course.

Con's:
-Bad spacing at start line for pace groups. This made for a tough few miles trying to get passed by other-paced runners and also made it tough to pass so many other-paced runners.
-Not enough toilets in first part of race.
-Finish area was a bit confusing and congested.
-More music on the course would make the more lonely first half more exciting.

Overall, a great race. Twin Cities marathon is still my favorite, but this has a different feel and is very much worth the trip. The Duluth area is rugged and wonderful. I would suggest camping or college dorms to save cash. It is a warm time of year, but I plan on doing this race again within the next couple years.

My 6th marathon overall (Chicago (twice), Boston, LA, NYC) and a very good experience for my first mid-sized marathon.

The expo was smaller than at large marathons, but that is a positive for me. Several guest speakers including course record holder Dick Beardsley (very entertaining). I enjoyed the pasta dinner and had good conversations with several other runners including an elite participant in the US Half Marathon Championships.

I was lucky enough to know someone in town and have a place to stay, but others stated the dorms are a good deal. I took a bus from the UMD campus, no lines and the bus left promptly after boarding. We made it to the start a little over an hour before the start which allowed for two trips to the porta potties and bag drop with about 15 minutes to get seeded in the corral.

The course is relatively flat with smaller rolling hills, nice views, and several twists along the lakefront. Water stops are every other mile up to 19. My only complaint with the aid stations is they were not consistent with the amount of powerade provided so there were some stations where I was able to grab two cups and others where I only got water. The sponges were useful as temp was mid 60's and the sun was out for about 2/3 of the race. The crowds are relatively sparse the first 19 rural miles, but there when you need them in the home stretch. Chocolate milk and ice cream sandwiches were a nice addition to the typical bagels, bananas, oranges, cookies, etc. at the finish.

I highly recommend wading into Lake Superior for an ice bath. I'm recovering a little faster than usual so it may have helped reduce inflammation.

Overall, a great race experience including an 8 minute PR.

This was marathon 7 for me and for as much as I look to this site for insight on choosing races, and appreciate both the pros and cons, I've never been drawn to sit down and give my opinions until now. Grandmas was top notch!

1. Some comments advice to skip this race if not from Duluth and go with twin cities due to the price inflation of hotels for this weekend. While hotel prices are high and tc might be a great race, don't overlook Grandma's you won't be disappointed.

Pros:
1. point to point course
2. Excellent transportation all weekend and to and from race and activities
3. Plenty of well prepared aid stations with plenty of water, gatorade, and ICE and sponges at several stations
4.Cliff pace team awesome
5. Ends in canal park where you get lots of supporters for you during your final miles
6. Scenic course most of the way
7. Decent expo, pasta dinner looked ok too but plenty of nearby options including Grandma's saloon!
8. Everyone from Duluth so nice and helpful
9.Finisher t-shirt
10. Post race party

Cons:
1. Hotel prices very high but pay for convince most are right by the water and finish area and sell out at those prices

2. Weather unpredictable

Depends on the winds i guess being so close to lake. 2012 had cold 65 and rain the day arrived and then 80 and dry the next and then race day was very humid 70s to start with sweating just standing around at the start and then cooled off mid way to finish in a cold 50's with rain later on

Don't disregard the dorms. I was apprehensive about staying here but after taking the chance on them I'm glad I did. The transportation for the race was excellent as well as the weekend and they had coffee water tea and bread and fruit in the lobby before getting on the bus as well as a microwave.

In the rooms are a fridge, two single beds with linen (clean but might want to bring own if makes you more comfortable) towels and soap and drinking cup mirror and dressers. The form says no air condition might want to bring small fan (I didn't and was fine-just opened the window and I believe the room actually did have an air conditioner but wasn't looking for it on day 1 since was told they didn't have it so didn't try it)

The staff are accommodating and so helpful and nice.
There is a tv lounge and bathrooms are dorm style but wasn't bad at all. Women is separate from men and wasn't a problem wasn't crowded and overall very quite. I recommend UMD if on a budget or can't afford the hotels. Again not bad AT ALL!

Overall, it was a great race totally worth doing! Lots of small town charm and big time organization. Well run. Lots of support and port o lets at start half way and finish and even shower options for those wanting to shower after race before going home.

It was a better then expected weekend and race! Worth doing!

This marathon is run exceptionally well. The bus to the start is perfect, the aid stations, number of aid stations, porta potties - everything! I am a back of the pack runner and was a small bit concerned, as I read some people in 2011 felt there were not as much support out at the end, and I must say it looks like they listened to people's comments and made sure we were all taken care of!

The race started out very very humid. The race director sent out an email earlier in the week to pre-warn us about this, so it was to be expected. Each aid station had more than enough water, powerade, and cups of ice which were great. I finished in 6:30, so I am a true 'back of the pack' runner and never ran through an aid station that had run out of anything.

The expo is one of the best in terms of layout and booths present. They even sell bananas, apples and other various things (advil, etc) so I didn't have to make a special trip to the store!

We stayed at the Radisson. Overpriced for a run down room? Yes. But - the staff was amazing. Everyone there knows about the race and has all information. If I could change one thing, it would be to pay a little extra to stay right at the finsh line.

Speaking of, the post-race festival in Canal Park is second to none. Bands, food, drinks, and the merchandise tent is still up if you want to buy something after you finish.

Highly suggest looking into this one!