This is a great marathon. Extremely well-organized and terrifically executed. Really nice course and support. This makes my all-time top 5 list along with Boston, Big Sur, Twin Cities and Philadelphia. A truly memorable experience. Never having been to Duluth, I was pleasantly surprised at the town's charm and friendliness. I stayed right by the aerial bridge in a rented beach house, so finish line and race activities are super convenient. Loved Canal Park. The 7:30 start is perfect. Yes, weather was warm, but you adjust accordingly. It beats rain and cold any day in my book! I spent a couple of additional days up along the North Shore for peaceful "r & r." This is a true vacation marathon destination. Include Grandma's on your must-do list. Great job, Duluth; I'll be back for this one!

This marathon took control of Duluth and Superior for the day. The expo was fine; the pasta dinner was great. Getting into and out of the Duluth Convention Center was terrible. They were bringing more cars into the waterfront area than there were places to park. Then one of the shorter races was held Friday evening, encircling the Convention Center, and it choked up traffic trying to get out. Duluth has elevated freeways, one way streets, bridges, Interstate 35 ends there, and it is difficult to get around anyway. On the plus side, they picked up runners at their respective hotels for bus rides to the starting line (a great idea!) and gave rides back after the race - even to Superior, Wisconsin. In Minnesota they say, "If you get to Wisconsin, you went too far." Well, we had to go to Wisconsin. There simply were no rooms available in Duluth.

The race was an outstanding event. Runners were dropped off near the starting line at Two Harbors. There were plenty of port-a-potties at the start (and frequently throughout the course too). The Duluth Railroad chugged up to Two Harbors, and cheered the runners, tooting its horn.

On the course, there were plenty of aid stations for refreshments. The sports drink they used did not taste good (to me). There was lots of water and ice. This is a great concept: Give the runners a cup of ice. I heard many positive comments about this. You could eat the ice, cool off your head or arms with it, or let it melt in your hands. It was a great idea. They were handing out wet sponges to the runners too.

Running along the lake was scenic, and Lake Superior is awesome! The fans were outstanding too (and since the North Shore Road was closed to traffic, it took some effort for spectators to access the runners - but they still did it). Closer to Duluth, many folks were in their yards cheering on the runners. Even Al Franken (or his double) was there cheering runners and shaking hands. At one point some guys set up an inflatable rectangular pool in his yard for runners to lie back and dip themselves in the water. Of course, participants set off wild cheering among the crowd. Later aid stations were passing out ripe, plump strawberries (another marathon first for me) and the berries were outstanding.

At about mile 23, the course went down the brick road main street - with lots more fans and spectators. It was spectacular! Then we headed back down to the waterfront area, and the finish line.

Across the finish line, we received a nice medal (with the lift bridge on it) and finisher's T-shirt, and an abundance of refreshments. Jenneio turkey sandwiches made with a roll, water, chips, raisins, oranges, apples, bananas, and ice cream. I heard there was beer too, but did not search it out. Warm-up clothes were transported from the starting line, and were available for pickup near the finish area.

The weather was great - sunny and near 70 degrees. There were areas of cumulus clouds and localized rain showers, but they were short in duration. Law enforcement did an outstanding job of controlling traffic and protecting the runners. This was a great overall community effort. Thanks to the town of Duluth for a great marathon event!

I can't say enough good things about Grandma's Marathon. I truly enjoyed myself and PR'd also! What a change from Chicago - this was just an all-around terrific experience and I will definitely be back! Thank you!

If this course has "rolling hills," then you must train in a pancake-flat area. The race is superbly organized and supported. You run on an old highway next to Lake Superior for 19 miles, then into Duluth for the race. It can warm up to the low 80's, so plan accordingly. This is a fantastic summer marathon that I would recommend to anyone!

Spectacular course, organization and support. Highly recommended! The course elevation provided is deceiving - it's not relatively flat. A definite and unrelenting incline through most of the race until mile 22. The increasingly warm temps made for a tough race. Overall, great race, and a great experience.

This was my 6th marathon and by far the most organized. It was hot, and I melted after 16 miles; if it weren't for water, sports drinks and ice cups (yeah for ice!) every 2 miles, I would have had to drop out. Maybe they could start an hour earlier. I didn't expect rolling hills, but it was the heat that got the best of me... I slowed down the running pace after 15 and then ended up shuffling and walking for the last 6 miles. I'd do it again, praying for cooler weather. Good job!

This was my third marathon. By far Grandma's has the best water stops and entertainment at the end of the race. Water stops were well stocked with water, Ultima, wet sponges, and ice. They were easy to get through without stopping. My boyfriend was a spectator, and this was his favorite race to watch because it is a huge party at the finish line. As for the course, there were small rolling hills throughout; I'm not a hill runner by any means, but these were no problem whatsoever. This would be a great race for a first-timer or an experienced runner. My only complaint is that the expo is too crowded.

This is a great race. The weather was beautiful, with a slight breeze off of Lake Superior. The course is generally flat, with slight rolling hills. Organization was well-done.

This was the 49th state for this 50-State Marathoner. You can find less expensive rooms about 8 miles from downtown. I loved the bus ride from the Convention Center to the start of the marathon. It was very well organized. Chills and a few tears. Hey, listen, this is my last state before completing 50 at the start line with about 8,000.

Music was great - from "Shaken Up, Baby" to the actual start music: "Chariots of Fire." Very classy. The route is very scenic. Lake Superior with the sun shinning was beautiful. Volunteers had water and ice. Yes, the temperature was over 70, and sports drinks could not have been more pleasant and helpful.

Spectators cheered all the way. Loved finish through old downtown Duluth and then into Canal Park. Plenty of food was left for us who finish in the back of the pack. Cute young girls were giving huge strawberries at mile 24. Thanks - delicious.

The expo was excellent, and the speakers were interesting. The finisher's shirt is a keeper. The medal... WOW. From one granny to Grandma's Marathon, thanks a million. I would come back to do another half or marathon in Duluth.

Run this one. Early this year I decided I wanted to run a marathon in late spring/early summer. Looking over the available races, Grandma's seemed a nice fit. I had run the Miami Marathon in January and wanted to try something different. The reviews of Grandma's promised beautiful and fast course supported by a strong organization. I can report that these promises are well founded: Grandma's is great.

The only real problem with the race is that it has the potential to be hot, and there is very little shade. As you can see from other reviews, '06 and '07 were very hot. While not as bad, '08 was hotter than ideal. I finished before 11:00, and it was probably around 80 from mile 17 on. Overall, I think the heat may have added a couple minutes to my time.

However, of the four marathons I've run, Grandma's course is by far the best. The course is beautiful. Most of the course is run on a scenic roadway that jogs along the North Shore of Lake Superior. When you're not getting breathtaking views of the lake, your surrounded by picturesque forest. Then, at around mile 20, you get into town, where the spectators are great.

In my opinion, the course is fast. (Personally, I turned in a 20-minute PR.) That is not to say that it's pancake flat. The first 21 miles of the course has gentle rolling hills. Not one of these hills is enough to interrupt your pace. Prior to the race, I had heard about Lemon Drop Hill, which is at mile 22. Bottom line: a hill this small should not have a name. Two facts contribute to its legend. First, you can see it coming for about 3/4 of a mile. Second, it looks worse than it is as you approach because you come at it on a downhill. Once you get to the base of it, however, you realize just how insignificant it is. And once you're over Lemon Drop Hill, the race is almost all gently downhill and flat.

Everyone involved with the race, both runners and spectators, are super friendly. For example, I had an opportunity to meet and speak with Doug Kurtis, who narrated a bus tour of the course the day before the race. For those of you who don't know who he is, and I admit that I didn't, he's a real star and credit to the sport. One of his accolades is that he holds the record for most sub 2:20 marathons - 76 I think. He's a great guy, and the fact that he's involved with and accessible at Grandma's Marathon just makes the race that much cooler.