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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 261 to 271]
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Geoff Martin from Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada
(6/23/2003)
 "Fantastic" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved the whole thing. Wonderful organization. Breathtaking run along Lake Superior. Loved the spectators, who made a very tough and hot marathon a lot easier. Water and aid stations: you gave us 110 percent. What a rush the final few miles into Duluth. This was my 33rd marathon, and the toughest, but I loved every minute of it. To the race organizers and sponsors, and all the thousands of spectators and volunteers, thank you so very much. YOU GUYS ROCK. | |
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M. B. from New York, NY
(6/23/2003)
"Great 1st" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and it was a great experience! The people of Duluth were the best - very friendly. I would recommend it to anyone. I was at the back of the pack, and there was plenty of support: water, sponges, snacks... it was great! | |
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Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, Arizona
(6/23/2003)
"This Race Is A Keeper and Repeater!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If there could be a race named 'America's Marathon', this would be it. Grandma's continues to astound - there were smiles on EVERYONE'S faces: the entrants, the limitless army of volunteers, and the entire town's residents. Because everyone is so friendly and ready to cheer you on, you forget about all the hard work and training you logged to get there. There are no pretenses about this race; you are treated to unabashed Midwest hospitality from the time you arrive 'til the time you get on the airplane to head home. Hotel staff, expo workers, pasta feed volunteers, cab drivers, shopkeepers, restaurateurs -everyone congratulates you on your trek to and through northern Minnesota. The army of volunteers was everywhere: at the expo, the pasta dinner, the pre-race staging area, the countless and fully-stocked water stops, the finish line, the post-race refreshment area, the bag pick-up, and the reunion area. Several times, many would ask 'Can I help you find', or 'do you need', etc. This town loves this race and very soon you want to love it back more. It's difficult to say 'thank you' enough times in return - and it's why runners make this a repeater and keeper. The course is picturesque, and it gently rolls downhill. There are wonderful and enthusiastic well-wishers all along the way. The activities in Canal Park take place all weekend. There are great restaurants, shops, bars, etc. to take in. Target handles the official merchandise, and this year's selection was plentiful (and as usual, priced right). Put this race on your calendar; you will not be disappointed. Other race directors can learn from Grandma's - they put their egos aside, and concentrate on hosting America's friendliest marathon, by putting the focus on the runners. Even in their 27th year, they continue to exceed expectations. THANK YOU GRANDMA'S, and THANK YOU DULUTH. | |
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M. E. from Eden Prarie, MN
(6/23/2003)
 "I guess I expected more." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my fifth marathon, but my first four were all Twin Cities Marathons, so that is what I had to compare it to. The organization was topnotch all weekend. Everything went off without any problems. I loved the fact that the entire town seemed to get really involved in the weekend. A lot of businesses had banners up welcoming the runners. You could tell that this was Duluth's big event, and they treated it as such. I gave the course four stars, because although it was scenic, it seemed kind of boring to me. There were a couple of times when you would pass by one mile marker, and you would already be able to see the next marker off in the distance. I guess I like more 'distractions' along the course to keep my mind busy, otherwise I seem to fixate on how far I have left to run, which makes for a very long day. Also, the fact that the first 20 miles of the course are only accessible by a few crossroads coming from the highway meant that you often would be running for long distances with no spectator support at all. I guess I was used to the Twin Cities Marathon, where you never go more than a few steps without having somebody cheering you on. I suppose I should throw in the disclaimer that the weather was quite warm for this time of year in Duluth, and I missed my goal time by about 15 minutes. That may be tainting some of my views of the race. Overall, I thought the race was incredibly well run, but the lack of crowd support for the first 20 miles, and the somewhat boring (in my opinion) course will probably keep me from ever running it again. On the other hand, the half-marathon run in conjuction with the full is very intriguing. You get to avoid 13 of the 'boring' miles on the course, but still get the same experience at the finish line. | |
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P. M. from Saratoga, NY
(6/23/2003)
 "Scenic, Organized, Good first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Grandmas was my 7th marathon (and my PR); one of the best organized and staffed in my experience, with a very festive atmosphere. The course is essentially flat (one small hill late in the race), and it is ideal for first-time runners. I would highly recommend staying at the UMD campus for accomodations - good price, and buses were plentiful both the day before and the day of the race. Pockets of spectators for the first 19 miles, but the lake views were rewarding and preferable. Crowds were much more prevalent after mile 19 - from entering Duluth all the way through to the end. They were very supportive, vocal, and enthusiastic, which helped to keep you going. | |
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J. H. from San Diego, CA
(6/23/2003)
"Thank you Duluth" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with everything that my brother said (I was the other recipient of the free lunch) - it was a fantastic event from start to finish, and beyond. Do not leave town without staying around for the party Saturday night, but do go to the pasta dinner on Friday, sit down at a table with people you don't know, and make some new friends. It's a fast course with some great views, some very supportive fans, and only one hill - appropriately named 'Lemon Drop Hill' - which is only challenging due to its location (mile 22), rather than its size/steepness. Well worth the trip, and make sure to reserve your hotel early. Thanks again to the people and town of Duluth for such a memorable experience. | |
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C. H. from Hermosa Beach, California
(6/23/2003)
"Best experience yet." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I never thought the experience I had at the Chicago Marathon would get surpassed, but Grandma's was simply unbelievable. The people, the atmosphere, the race, the after-party; it was all perfect. Everyone involved in this race was kind, genuine, enthusiastic and so ridiculously supportive of the race that I wanted to give back somehow at the end. They wouldn't let me. Instead, some people I met after the race bought my brother and I lunch. I recommend this marathon to everyone and anyone. Finally, thank you, Duluth, for giving me my PR (and a qualifying time for Boston as well). But more importantly, thank you for your hospitality and overwhelming support. Every marathon should learn from this one. | |
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Woody Salava from Boulder, Colorado
(1/2/2003)
"My first time was fabulous!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Loved Duluth. Great course. Pine trees, winding roads, and inspiring views of Lake Superior. Lots of water stops and restrooms along the way. Most difficult climb is Gum Drop Hill... (That should be a clue about how punishing it was). And how about dem spectators, eh? | |
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A Runner from Louisville, KY
(7/31/2002)
"I loved my first marathon!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is a must! And if I did it, anyone can! The support at the water stations was great - they even said 'You are looking great' when we all knew the truth! Also running were 5 of my family members who were all running their 2nd marathon (4 of the 5 hated their first one - Detroit Free Press). We all loved it and are talking about our next one! People were upset about the rain delay, but I was glad not to get drenched early in the race. I figure either way, we are going to run for a LONG time! The better attitude you have the better time you have! The only complaint I have is they needed more port-a-potties! Especially near the start line. The lines for the bathrooms were so long, if the race had started on time, I would not have made it. I absolutely loved the scenery, loved the people, and loved the experience. I was so excited from it that I still couldn't sleep that night (pain may have had something to do with it also). | |
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A Runner from Plainfield, IL
(7/18/2002)
"Halfway there! Great race on Lake Superior shore!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am attempting to run 12 marathons in 12 months. Grandmas was my halfway point: marathon #6 in 6 months. This was my second time running Grandmas, and quite frankly, this is one of the best-organized, and well-run marathons out there (I have run 12 marathons overall, some big, and some smaller ones as well). They have a first-class expo (I saw guest speakers Dick Beardsley and Grete Waitz), and a good pasta dinner the night before. One hitch: they had a half hour 'weather delay' that they did not announce until about 3 minutes before the race. Most people had already turned in their sweats and had lined up (fortunately for me, my wife was at the start so I could put mine back on--we ended up ducking underneath a panel truck to avoid getting wet!). This was a relatively minor inconvenience in the whole scheme of things, however, and was quickly forgotten once the race began. The weather was almost perfect for mid-June. It was cool at the start, and then when we got close to the lake, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees, and gave us a nice slight tail wind. Support at Grandmas is the best of any race I've been in. Every water stop has water-sports drink-water-sports drink-water (in other words, you don't have to make sure that you get whatever fluid you are looking for at the first table you come to). They also have wet sponges at all of the stops. The finish in Canal Park is probably the best finish of any marathon I've been in as well. If you are serious about marathoning, Grandmas is a must-run at least once. One tip: REGISTER EARLY! I downloaded the entry form the day it came online and mailed it in. The race generally closes within about 2 weeks, and there is no online registration. THis town loves their marathon, and they go all out for it--I would highly recommend this race to anyone (first-timers, or veteran marathoners). Next marathon: Lake Okoboji Marathon, Okoboji, Iowa. |
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