This was a nice race which pretty much lives up to its hype. The course is beautiful, the organization very efficient. The mile markers definitely one of the best. Slightly warm when the breeze off the lake died. Not much in the name of hills. Price gouging by the hotels in the area equally efficient. All in all, a good race and worth doing. I wouldn't go overboard to say its the best in the world unlike my gushing co-runners below. Eminently runnable, and I can understand why people return. But there are many other races out there to try, why run the same one again and again!.

This was my second marathon, my first being the Rock n Roll Phoenix marathon. The race is well organized but otherwise I wasn't impressed. The hotels jack up the prices and require a two night stay. We stayed in the dorms and they do the same thing there. The first 18.5 miles is pretty lonely. If you like spectators this is not a race for you. The ulitma is awful, even worse during the race.

This is a race that knows how to do it up right! Magnificent organization, plentiful supplies, bountiful aid stations, HUGE mile markers that are impossible to miss, people seed themselves appropriately at the start, cool jet fly-by at the start, avid spectators offering beer, beautiful course...I could go on and on.
The only two pretty minor things I would change:
1) They need to ditch the Ultima (nasty stuff)
2) Give everyone a technical moisture-wicking t-shirt, instead of the cotton t-shirt that we already have too many of. (It can't cost the race organizers much more, and if you raise the price of the entry fee a couple bucks to cover it, who's going to complain?)

Even if my personal race time wasn't what I had hoped, it was still a great day. All in all, a fantastic race.

We heard quite a bit about this marathon and 'had to do it.' The whole city gets involved and role out the red carpet treatment. However, the hotels get in the action also by increasing their lodging by 150% for one star establishments. We felt they screwed the runners royally. The race was a beautiful course. If interested in running, find a friend who lives there and can offer you lodging.

This was the second time that I have run Grandma's and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the race. The organization is first-class and the community envolvement is fantastic. The only thing that I could complain about would be the difficulty in finding accommodations. That is no small item but overall we had a great time and plan to return in the future.

Grandma's is without a doubt one of the most organized marathons a runner could ever encounter. I've seen 5K's that don't run as smoothly. Packet pick up is a breeze (you wait longer in line to purchase items at the expo then you do to get your packet), transportation to the start is a snap, and every aid station is staffed adequately.

The marathon itself is a very good course. I would say it rolls more than advertised (but that's the case with just about every race I know), but the scenery is fantastic and there is plenty of crowd support... especially the last 5-6 miles when you really need it. Lemon Drop Hill is always a challenge but once you clear it you know you are in the home stretch (and nobody ever mentions the mile-long gradual downhill after it). The lake effect helps keep temperatures cool for a good part of the race and you can definitely feel it when you get close.

Pros:

1) Fantastic organization.
2) Scenic course.
3) Friendly volunteers (they legitimately make you feel welcome).
4) Clifshots at mile 17 (one less to carry!)
5) Great post-race celebration
6) Much improved finisher shirts... the color was great to see.

Cons (and very minor ones at that):

1) We stayed in the dorms but they can still get a little loud due to doors slamming. If you are a light sleeper you will probably be awoken by late arrivals.
2) Ultima. It needs to go!

All in all it adds up to a fantastic marathon and its rep as being one of the best is richly deserved.

This was my first marathon ever and it got me permanently addicted to running. I thought the organization was amazing - they processed a huge number of people in a very short period of time. The whole town got involved to cheer the runners on, especially in the final couple of miles before the finish. We stayed in the dorms, and they were less than glamorous, but the volunteers there were outstanding!! What an exhilarating experience! I recommend Grandma's to anyone looking for a good-spirited run.

I had great time and I think it there was better organization. I was so happy at the finish line with the big crowd waiting for us; everything was just so good that I will come back next year (2006).

Great marathon! The busses to the race were well organized, the water stations were very convenient and I also liked the fact that every mile was marked on this course. The runners who held time/pace balloons during the whole race were very helpful determining where you were in terms of goal time at the end of the marathon. The only thing I would improve with this race would be to expand the area where friends and family can meet you at the end of the race. It was a little crowded. Overall, I really liked this one and I'll probably do it again!

I drive 18 hours round trip for this race because it is usually cooler in MN, but the last 2 years it has been hot. I run at least one marathon a year and this one is the one I always do. Great spectators, race director and volunteers. Well worth the drive.