42.195 km
Distance
244 m
Elevation Gain
4:24:00
Average Finish Time
7,500
Total Finishers
1982
Established
Rolling
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Course & Elevation
A scenic point-to-point course running from Two Harbors through the North Shore along Lake Superior, finishing in downtown Duluth. The route features gentle rolling hills with stunning views of the lake and surrounding forests throughout, making it one of the most scenic marathons in the Midwest.
🌤️ Weather
Early summer conditions with mild temperatures and refreshing lake breezes. Occasionally cool mornings warming into pleasant afternoons, ideal for distance running.
🏆 Course Record
02:16:36
Moses Tanui (1997)
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🎯 Fun Facts
- ▸ Named after the race founder's grandmother, Grandma Laurie Nelson, who inspired the creation of Minnesota's most popular marathon in 1982
- ▸ The course ends with a dramatic finish line at the Duluth waterfront, featuring the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge as a backdrop
- ▸ Grandma's is consistently ranked among the fastest marathons in North America, with the relatively flat Two Harbors-to-Duluth route producing numerous personal records
- ▸ Over 40 years, the race has become a rite of passage for upper Midwest runners, with three-generation families often participating together
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