Grandma's Marathon is run in Minnesota along the north-west shore of Lake Superior, finishing in Duluth. The course is point-to-point, almost entirely within sight of the lake, on wide and consistent road surface. Mid-June brings cool starting temperatures, a genuine advantage for a marathon.
Grandma's Marathon
Its point-to-point course along the shore of Lake Superior has a reputation for fast times and draws more than 20,000 runners.
Prepare for Grandma's Marathon
A plan built from your answers and your race date.
The formats
3 formats on the program.
| Format | Distance |
|---|---|
| Marathon | 26.2 mi |
| Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon | 13.1 mi |
| William A. Irvin 5K | 3 mi |
Organizer information, checked on September 21, 2026 · grandmasmarathon.com
When to start
A build for this distance usually runs 12 to 20 weeks. Counted back from race day, that puts the start somewhere between January 25, 2027 and March 22, 2027.
These ranges are working conventions, not a research finding — no trial has compared plan lengths against each other. What matters more is that the plan was built for the weeks you actually have, rather than shrunk down from a longer one.
When to start
January 25, 2027
→ March 22, 2027
Worth reading before you enter
Races and distances
10K, half, marathon: what each one really asks
They are all running. They are not the same event. What limits you, how long you need, and how the race falls apart — all three change with the distance.
Read
Races and distances
The big marathons: what each one actually demands
A marathon is 42.195 km everywhere. What changes is the profile, the crowd, the weather you are likely to get — and so what your training should emphasise.
Read
Training
Eating and drinking: what’s proven, what isn’t
This is where confident advice most often runs ahead of the evidence. Some of it is well tested. Some is opinion wearing a number. And one common habit can kill you.
Read
Questions
What is the date of Grandma's Marathon in 2027?
Grandma's Marathon is run on Saturday, June 19, 2027 in Duluth. Date published by the organizer, checked on September 21, 2026.
Is Grandma's Marathon a fast course?
Yes, it has a reputation for fast times. The point-to-point route follows Lake Superior on wide, consistent road into Duluth, and the cool mid-June conditions help runners chasing a personal best.
What races are offered at Grandma's Marathon?
0975 km and the William A. Irvin 5K over 5 km, all based around Duluth.
Other races
This list keeps growing; it draws no line. A race that is missing is prepared for in exactly the same way.
Lake Buena Vista (Orlando) · United StatesMarathon
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Jan 6
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a road-running weekend staged at Lake Buena Vista near Orlando, Flo
Houston · United StatesMarathon
Chevron Houston Marathon / Aramco Half
Jan 17
The Chevron Houston Marathon is a road marathon run in Houston, Texas, alongside the Aramco Houston Half
Miami · United StatesMarathon
Life Time Miami Marathon & Half
Jan 31
The marathon, half marathon and 5K are all run on a flat coastal course.
Your race is not here?
Tell us about your race
You can prepare for it all the same. Any race, anywhere, and even a goal without a race.
Your race is on the calendar. Your plan should be too.
Build my plan
Secure payment with Stripe. Then allow about 30 minutes for your profile, in several sittings if you like.