Great Course
Great organization to start and even timing intervals tracked
Great spectator support
course published 7 hour time limit. Runners who came in at 6 hours or later (well within the limit) found the food tables being folded up, signs down leaving them searching for their warm up clothes from the drop point, and out of most shirts. Shirts could be ordered for mailing, but nothing but water at the end after being out there for 6 hours was really a bummer.

Grandma's 2011. I knew it was going to rain a week ago. I've done marathons in the rain, but it stresses you out (what if there's lightning and the race is cancelled? What if my feet slide around in my wet shoes?). Since it's cold AND raining, if you stop and walk, you'll be wet and chilled. I admit i like urban races with stuff to look at. I love Grandma's, but it's just you and the lake for 19 miles. I lost focus so many times and I'll have to work on that. Otherwise it was fine.

I'm assuming that my line summary got your attention. While the 2011 Grandma was the first of 26 marathons that I've run that had the white hypothermia flags flying, I have run it in close to 90 degree temps in past years. Still, just the possibility of having these type of temps, should have more Marathoners coming next year in 2012.

I have run this 10 times, hot, cold, etc. and it is my favorite, no doubt.

I ran Grandma's in 2009 and it was really hot that day, but the course was really nice - lots of fan support, lots of entertainment. I am in it for 2011 and hope you are too, as I know it will be lots of fun. This is a scenic area for those who have not been here before and worth the visit. I love Grandma's Marathon!!!!

Here's what's bad about Grandma's: hotel rooms in Duluth. The race itself is a really, really good time. The course is pretty, along the shore of Lake Superior. There isn't that much shade. The finish has a hill near the end and a long, winding approach. But the actual finish was great. Lots of friendly people, food and music. The late-night post-race party was almost all drunk kids; very surreal - they were drinking, smoking and making out. Every now and then we saw other runners - like lost souls set adrift amid a vast, dead ocean.

I have been in Grandma's Marathon since I was 16. It has always been a blast to run, and I always thought the shirts were quite nice. The only problem I had was on the first year they had the train. I had trouble getting closer to the starting line because we had gotten there much later than the buses. They seem to have fixed that problem last year. The train got to the start much earlier.

I did Grandma's in 2008 and this year (2010) as well. Addressing some common themes in others' comments:

Expo - You walk through a crowded area with lots of vendors to get to your packet. The DECC area gets crazy that night, so try to get there as early as possible on Friday. The spaghetti feed was great! I love the sauce. :)

Bus to start - Very well organized. I got to the DECC around 6 a.m. and didn't have to wait to jump on a bus.

Course - One of the best Minnesota has to offer! The first 17 miles or so are very quiet except for the pitter-patter of runners' feet. Then you get into town with thousands of energetic (and sometimes drunk) spectators to cheer you on.

At mile 25.7 you run next to the largest ship in the world to wind around to the finish. I swear that thing is 2 miles-long.

Finishing area - Everything you need. Medical tent right there, you get handed a medal after the finish line and then continue on for a shirt, and there was lots of great food/drink.

Shirt - I'm amazed by the complaints on here. Most marathon runners have a drawer full of tech shirts, so sometimes it's nice to have a cotton one for everyday use. I heard that for 2011 they'll have tech shirts, so good for them.

Hotel costs - Yes, they are jacked up for this weekend. Why not spend the $400 you'd spend anyway and get some great camping equipment, find a few friends, and spend $30 a night at a nearby campsite? Then you can keep the equipment for next year!

Duluth night life - We had an absolute blast the night of the marathon. They have a huge tent with music, beer, and well... more beer :) Canal Park is bustling with runners, locals, and students on Saturday night. A night I'll never forget.

Overall, I think this was a great first marathon. I think the course was fine; I had read comments about the first 16 miles all along the lake, so I did expect that. I think the weather was just about right and the transportation to the start was just fine. (I took a bus and got to the start with plenty of time to spare before the race started.) After reading comments about the race from 2009, I read not to take the train.

Duluth was a gorgeous town and very friendly. I'm sure the hotels rack up the prices during the weekend but I stayed right by the finish line so the location was great.

One thing I would like to see improved about this race is the race packet. I have run about 4 half-marathons, all in different areas, and at each I've received better packets than I received at this one. I went to the expo on Thursday night, and I'm glad that I did, since I heard it was a nightmare on Friday.

After reading the previous comments, I have to step in to defend a much maligned item - the finisher's shirt. It rocks. Maybe I've been collecting too many technical shirts lately, but I don't wear technical gear when I'm not running. My vote is to keep the cotton.

Another off-beat observation: this is the perfect race to bonk at. Having been reduced to walking in the last few miles due to an overambitious race schedule in the previous weeks, it was a walking buffet: GU, oranges, strawberries, Jolly Ranchers, bananas, and all the booze you wanted from energetic college kids. (OK, I didn't have any booze - it would not have stayed down long.) Had I not been chafed due to a major Body Glide mistake (feet - check, armpits - check, nether region - oops), I would have enjoyed it much more. Here's a hint: if you are walking for an extended period, you'll need a fancy catch phrase for the 200 people who are asking you how you're doing - and mine was "Living the Dream!"

The food at the finish was great, including ice cream. But I'm sure that the finish line food was an issue for the late folks; watching the finishers at about 5:45 on the clock, we could see the food area closing up with runners and volunteers taking cases of leftover fruit and other items. Not sure if there was anything left for the 6-hour folks.

It goes without saying that Grandma's has the best after-party of any race - hands down. If you go, plan on staying Saturday night.

Just don't forget your pre-race checklist with Body Glide application areas.

This marked my tenth marathon. Prior to the race, I had read course descriptions saying it was both flat and had gently rolling hills. To my surprise, it was hillier in the first half, which took its toll on my pacing. While you run parallel to the lake, the road is slightly winding, too. Make sure you pay attention and try to run the tangents. You have both sides of the road, so that makes it easier.

The second half of the course is the best in terms of spectator support. Great response from the neighborhoods and all the way into downtown.

I think area hotels in Duluth are making a mistake by jacking their hotel rates  it's expensive enough to fly to these races. Jacking rates will just discourage runners like me from traveling to MN (I'm from NC). I stayed at the university dorms. At first, I didn't care for the austere accommodations. However, I grew to appreciate it since the campus supports the runners. Also, the campus is an official transportation spot. Overall, nice job, Duluth!