May 9, 2024
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☰
Grandma's Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Grandma's Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 298 [displaying comments 241 to 251]
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J. C. from Memphis, TN
(6/22/2004)
 "This is a can't-miss marathon" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did not do my PR like I had hoped due to warm weather and a strong headwind, but I can't blame the organizers for weather problems. This marathon is well organized and supported by the community. There is almost always someone along the course cheering you on. More volunteers helping than I have seen at other races. The town really does a great job. I look forward to going back and doing another one. | |
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Mark Gershman from Arizona
(6/21/2004)
"Still the best; this is how to stage a marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Grandma's Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It amazes me that this race just gets better and better every year; if the race director had connections with Mother Nature (brutal headwinds this year) then I'd say he walks on water, too. This marathon has every detail nailed down and it's pulled off with genuine warm hospitality. The army of 4,000 volunteers deliver from beginning to end. Packet pick-up is a breeze, the expo is perfect in scale, and the adjacent pasta dinner serves up a tasty, all-you-can-eat quality plate of food with all of the trimmings. Target stores handle the merchandise, and as usual, is priced right and designed well. As for the course, it's a series of gentle rolling hills--nothing is too strenuous. The busses to the start are very efficient, and there are ample porta-johns at the start line (as well as along the way). There are 15 very well-stocked water stops along the way staffed by very friendly volunteers. There is water (in biblical proportions), ice, sponges, Ultima, first aid, and more water at every single stop. There are clusters of well-wishers along the rural parts of the race and they are genuinely enthusiastic. As you get into the downtown area, the crowds are thicker and louder--all the way to the end. At the finish, the announcer tries to call out every single name; no small feat with 9,000 runners. Medals are hung around your neck (other races still just hand them to you) and you're given water immediately. Chip retrievel and Mylar wraps come next. Right after, you're handed your finisher's shirt (very cool design) and a ticket for an icy cold one (or soda). Then the feast begins. You can opt for a free massage or go directly to the abundant food tables. They are stocked with loads of fresh fruit, juices, yogurt, cookies, ice cream, ice cold water, bagels, pretzels, and on and on. The reunion area is adjacent to the finishers' area. Outside of there, you'll find a very efficient bag retrieval area and a board with current results. Next to that is the beer tent complete with live music and 9,000 of your favorite new friends and their fans and families. It's a true hometown event that eveyone comes out for. Media coverage is widespread in both television and newspaper; everyone knows that the race is in town. The entire experience will set you back a very low $55 and there is where the irony is. I've run races larger and smaller and no one gives you anything near the value that you'll get here--not even close. Race registration opens in late January; do not hesitate--it fills very quickly year after year--usually in 12 days or less. Your challenge may be housing. Check availability 6-12 months out. The X factor continues to be the weather. The upside is there's only a few races you can attempt in the summer months--this one is never hot--but it can be warm, it can be humid, and like this year, it can be windy. Other years have brought rain, cloudy days, or chilly starts. Bottom line though is you'll be in sub-80 degree weather no matter what. This course (weather permitting) will usually get you to a PR; the field is fairly aggressive and you'll see a lot of repeaters here. The things you'll always notice here are the incredibly friendly volunteers at all venues, the low, low price, the scenic views, and the energy of the town. Make sure you allow enough time to enjoy the surrounding area. My wish is that other races--big or small, old or new, storied or otherwise--would learn a thing or two from Grandma's. The pilgrimmage to Duluth is worth every cent; THANKS! | |
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S. A. from Chapel Hill, North Carolina
(6/21/2004)
"Topnotch! Duluth puts on a superb event!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Grandma's definitely ranks among the very best marathons (I've run 9, including Boston). Duluth knows how to treat marathoners! This race is not too big nor too small - they have not 'sold out' or become too crowded - instead they offer a high quality experience for every runner. The course is absolutely beautiful! The race is very well organized; the bus system worked fine; plenty of aid stations, and most of all, terrific spectators and support. (My only comment is that I hope they'll switch from Ultima to some other drink in the future). I can think of few other communities that embrace the true marathon spirit the way Duluth does! Overall, a great event. | |
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c. b. from MPLS
(6/21/2004)
"Disappointed" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Grandma's Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race, the course is flat the support is usually great and the fans are excellent at the last 6 miles. I, however, was very disappointed about not getting a Clif Shot at mile 17! They ran out. I was on time to run a 4-hour race and trained to use this product and it was gone. This was mentally tough. What the hell happened to the Clif Shots? I ended up picking up a unused package off the ground at mile 20. | |
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B. W. from Orange County ,California
(4/22/2004)
 "This may be the best race in America" (about: 2000)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Grandma's Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run many marathons around the country and this has to be my favorite. The views of Duluth and the lake are second to none (maybe Big Sur is prettier, but it is close). The crowds in downtown Duluth echoing through the buildings is incredible. It may not be as loud as Boston but it still feels like you are in a ticker tape parade. The finish area is great. The hotel price mark-ups are a joke but I guess those people need to make their money. I am thankful that I can stay with friends. The people of Duluth cannot be topped for their enthusiasm. Hopefully these good reviews will not make the race fill up any faster then it already does, I wouldnt want to have to miss the race because it fills up so quickly. I would advise anyone who has not been to Duluth or the Upper Midwest, that you really need to run this race. You just may want to never leave. | |
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B. S. from Baton Rouge, LA
(3/3/2004)
"Grandma's is great!" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Grandma's Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Grandma's is my favorite marathon. I have run it for the past 5 years and already have my 2004 entry. I will continue with my running streak until I lose the entry lottery some year. The course is beautiful and I like the peace and quiet of Lake Superior. The fans are sparse at the beginning, but plentiful once you get into town. I would recommend this race for anyone looking for a cooler summer marathon. | |
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S. C. from Eastern Minnesota
(1/16/2004)
 "Room For Improvement" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run Grandma's marathon 3 times and the half--Bjorklund Half Marathon once (it's run on the last half of the marathon course). I didn't care much for the first half of the marathon (although the lake was beautiful). I enjoyed the Bjorklund quite a bit, as the the support in town is awesome and the scenery is favorable. As far as hotels... the fact that you have to stay two nights is ridiculous for the prices they charge! I probably wouldn't do the marathon again based on that alone. | |
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H. D. from Chicago, IL
(1/15/2004)
"Amazing first marathon experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Grandma's was my first marathon experience and coming from Chicago, I had big expectations for how it would compare to what everyone considers the best. Well, I loved every thing about it. I loved the course - it was so beautiful - it really made the early miles so much more enjoyable. I loved the spectators. What they lacked in numbers, they certainly made up for with excitement & noise level. I think everyone who lives along the course must have been on their front lawn cheering. It was a nice treat. I mean it's Minnesota - so you know they're gonna be nice - but this was great. I especially would like to thank the guy serving dixie cups full of beer around mile 20. Man, that hit the spot. The ONLY thing I didn't really care for was the cost of staying in the dorms. You have to stay for two nights and $80 a night for a 40+ year old dorm isn't the best deal. BUT they do have the free shuttle from the dorms to the starting line - which definitely made up for it. Plus - a lot less $$ than the hotels, so I can't complain too much. I will DEFINITELY run this race again someday. 5 STARS!!!!! | |
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r. a. from downers grove IL
(12/11/2003)
"Great course - hospitable town - great event!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'll start with the course, which was the reason I selected Grandma's as my first marathon. Beautiful & quiet for the first half - you can smell the pine trees on both sides of you, then you see the lake and numerous creeks/rivers. (Beats the hell out of seeing only concrete & buildings & people, ala the bigger races.) The closer you get to town, the louder it gets. If you know nobody in Duluth, it doesn't matter - they're cheering for you anyway. Scattered musicians/entertainers throughout are a pleasant distraction. Rolling hills and curves also keep the course from being at all boring. Biggest hill is at 22 miles. Nice race size - 8-9000 or so registered, so it's easy to maneuver & pass people when you want to. Post-race food & refreshments are very well done. Nice medals & shirts. Shuttles back to the hotels were simple to find, though (understandably) not a quick ride. Couldn't have asked for a better marathon experience, other than running about 15 minutes faster! | |
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B. P. from North Bend, Oregon
(10/6/2003)
"Everything I heard was true: awesome, very nice" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When I heard about your marathon, my friends and I from Oregon, decided to do it. That set the ball in motion; we had just entered the Grandma's zone. After we had gotten our confirmations, we then attempted to get motel accommodations. This is where we entered the twilight zone. This is the only bad thing about your marathon: we eventually got rooms that cost twice or three times their worth - people probably should be made aware of this problem. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who made this a special event for me and my friends. Also the expo was the best one I have been to yet. A big "thank you" to the Cliff Shot pace team (could not remember the guy's name who led the 3:40 group). He definitely made running a marathon fun again, as I finished under 3:39 - a big plus. Once again, thanks, you rock! |
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