This was my second marathon and first Grandma's. I'm a native of the Twin Cities and I've grown up hearing about Grandma's my entire life, so I was excited to actually participate in it. What a treat! The course was not as flat as I anticipated, but the hills were all small and gently rolling... nothing serious at all. The organization was outstanding, and the literal army of volunteers at every water station made it a delight. I especially enjoyed the loud speakers blaring music at every station, and when I got to mile 13 and heard, "Half-way there... oh yea! Living on a prayer!" I almost cried. The energy at the starting line was fantastic, and the F16 fly-over from the Duluth 148th Fighter Wing just at the end of the national anthem was awe-inspiring. The last few miles through downtown on the brick road would have been more fun if I hadn't been so tired by that time, but it was a nice break from the miles and miles of trees during the first part.

If I could offer some suggestions: At the finish line, maybe put the packet pick up a little closer? Also, I don't drink, so the drink ticket was useless to me, but oh man, would I have loved some free apples or bananas or granola bars. Also, I'm a big fan of finishing t-shirts that I can wear while training for the next race, and not just a plain cotton t-shirt. Glad to hear that they are planning to upgrade, and to offer water bottles and carry bags as well.

Thanks for an awesome race!

NIce, easy course.

Cold winds blowing off of the lake made the 80-degree heat bearable.

Really friendly people.

Well organized from the air force flyover at the beginning to the to the end-of-race pen at the end.

(Only hassle was the lack of hotel rooms... reserve early!)

I have run this marathon for 19 years in a row (also ran Twin Cities, Boston, Chicago, New York) and have had the pleasure of watching this race grow and grow. You will not get better support in any other marathon. The volunteers come out in droves and support your every need. The first 18 miles are along Lake Superior; they're a little quiet, but very beautiful. Then when you come into downtown Duluth it really gets jumping, and the Canal Park finish line is over the top! I recommend this event to all who will listen....

This race is very well done. Despite the unseasonably warm weather, the aid stations were more than adequate. I never felt I had to break stride or pace to get enough fluid, as the aid stations were on both sides of the road and sufficiently long to get two to three cups of fluid in me at each one. They also provided ice and sponges at the aid stations. The bag check was flawless. Post-race refreshments were super. The one unpleasant note that the organizers had control of was the transportation to the start. Evidently, this was the first year they've provided a train ride to the start. While the ride was comfortable, the train got us to the start only about 15 minutes before the scheduled start. I assume that quirk will be ironed out next year. Everything else that was under the organizers' control was well done.

The '09 edition was my 5th Grandma's,, and it was well done as usual. It has retained its motto in fine form. The entertainment was very good. Post-race food was plentiful. Sweat bag teams were very organized. The expo gets crowded at times, but if you pick early times, it's just fine. Yes, it was another in a line of warm races in what seems like a pattern for larger events, but it is all part of being challenged.

OK, it was hot, but that's not something that can be controlled. The past few years have been hot, but historically, a 7:30 start along the North Shore at the end of June will be just right for a marathon. As usual, the course is great with just enough slight up and down to keep things interesting. My biggest complaints are with the transportation to the start and the finisher shirts. I got on a bus at 5:30 intending to get to the start earlier than I had in a previous year. Despite filling three buses to capacity and beyond, the buses didn't move for another half-hour. If I had known that, I would have slept in for another half-hour. Now, in the past, I haven't minded the cotton finisher t-shirt. I like to wear them around town and I've enjoyed wearing the shirts from my past two Grandma's, but this year's shirt is ugly and cheap. I don't know where they got those shirts, but they need to go back to what they had before. Besides those two things, the race was great. If you are expecting a drop-dead gorgeous course, you will be disappointed, but the views you get of the lake are nice. Spectators are few early, due to difficulty getting to the course, but are sufficient once you get into town. As usual, a very well run race with only a few areas that need improvement.

This was my second Grandma's, and very definitely my last. I picked this race twice because I expected cooler weather along Lake Superior, but both were some of the hottest races I've run (including Chicago). I do not blame the race directors; they can't control the weather.

I like the point-to-point course, but it can get boring at times. Not too many views of the lake, and no shade. What has been said about the hotels is true. They really take advantage of you during this weekend.

We took the train to the starting area, thinking it would be quaint. It was not. It was slow, crowded, and had inadequate or nonfunctional bathrooms for a marathon (when EVERYONE needs one).

The expo was good, and while the finisher shirt was not, the medal was nice. The volunteers were GREAT. I can't say enough about them, or the people of Duluth. They did a very good job of supporting this race. I'd recommend this race, and am glad I did it, but I'm moving on.

I'm amazed by the number of people who think that this is such a beautiful course. Have you never seen trees before? There are only a few times in the first 18 miles that you can even see the lake. Otherwise it is just a crappy highway through some trees, with scattered houses and very few spectators. There was construction at the DECC this year, but they didn't bother to re-route the buses in anticipation of people parking at other locations. We didn't get off our bus from the mall until 7:15, and there were still 2 or 3 buses full of people waiting there after our bus left. I literally got into the chute 30 seconds before the gun. Enough has been said about the Ultima, so I wont go into that. Otherwise, water stops are fine and the finish line snacks are great. I love Duluth, but I am done with this course after 2 years of lousy conditions. I'll be looking for a different spring race next year.

I'm not a fan of running in warm and humid conditions but thoroughly enjoyed this race. After sweating profusely after just one mile, I disregarded the time and concentrated on finishing. Fortunately the water stations were great and very well organized. Water, ice water, Ultima and sponges were provided allowing for a cold shower and re-hydration every couple of miles. The volunteers running the stations were superb - thank you! Unofficial refreshment was also plentiful, with many garden hoses and orange segments towards the end.

The course was beautiful and a pleasure to run. I really enjoyed the first section out in the countryside. The locals provided lots of encouragement and morale-boosting high-fives. I also enjoyed the second "urban" half, declining beers and use of an improvised water slide (although the offers were much appreciated).

Thank you, Duluth!

Course: Scenic. Organization: Smooth - after 33 years you can tell they got it down pat. Spectators: The whole town gets behind this marathon.

Originally, I intended to do this marathon just once, just to say that I did Grandma's, but the experience was so good that I intend on running it again next year.

Only one quibble: I just wish they had a sports drinks that had some calories.