Run even, start to finish
The course drops only about 130 feet overall and the rolls are small, so even pacing works. Hold back slightly in the first few miles, when the cool air and fresh legs make goal pace feel too easy.
Two Harbors to Duluth, MN · Saturday, June 19, 2027
Grandma’s Marathon race guide
Grandma’s runs point to point down the North Shore of Lake Superior, almost all of it on Scenic Highway 61 within sight of the lake, before finishing through downtown Duluth in Canal Park. It drops about 130 feet overall and rolls gently the whole way, with one well-known climb, Lemon Drop Hill, around mile 22. The lake usually keeps June mornings cool, which, with the course, makes it one of the most popular Boston qualifiers in the Midwest.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
The main start is at 7:45 a.m. Citizen corrals are assigned their own start times before race day. Enter yours if it’s later.
Splits
Your Grandma’s Marathon02
Average pace
8:01/mi
- First half
- 1:44:51
- Second half
- 1:45:09
- Finish line
- 11:15 a.m.
Hover or tap a bar to see that mile.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| LarsmontMile 3 · Should feel easy | 23:52 | 8:09 a.m. |
| Knife RiverMile 5 · Settled into goal pace | 39:52 | 8:25 a.m. |
| Sucker RiverMile 10 · Steady. Fuel on schedule | 1:19:58 | 9:05 a.m. |
| Halfway, Greenwood RoadMile 13.1 · Even pace | 1:44:51 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Lester RiverMile 19 · Into Duluth. Crowds build | 2:32:06 | 10:17 a.m. |
| Lemon Drop HillMile 22 · Short climb. Effort, not pace | 2:56:14 | 10:41 a.m. |
| 5th Avenue WestMile 25 · Turn for Canal Park | 3:20:21 | 11:05 a.m. |
| FinishMile 26.2 · Canal Park, Duluth | 3:30:00 | 11:15 a.m. |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Saturday, June 19, 2027
- Start time
- 7:45 a.m. CT (wheelchairs 7:35, elite men 7:40); citizen corrals get their times before race day
- Start
- Scenic Highway 61, near Two Harbors
- Finish
- Canal Park, Duluth
- Time limit
- 7 hours (about 16:00 per mile)
- Elevation gain
- About 370 ft
- Official site
- grandmasmarathon.com
- Profile
- Gently rolling and slightly downhill, with one short climb at Lemon Drop Hill near mile 22
- Best for
- A PR or a Boston qualifier in early summer
- Biggest mistake
- Running the cool, quiet early miles too fast, then meeting Lemon Drop Hill tired
- Course
- Point to point; race buses and a train take runners to the start
The course
Mile by mile, at your pace
- Miles0–5
Two Harbors to Knife River Downhill
You start on Scenic 61 outside Two Harbors and drift down about 100 feet over the first five miles, through Larsmont to Knife River. The road is wooded and the lake is on your left. It’s quiet and cool. Settle in early.
7:58 /miMile 5 at 39:528:25 a.m.
- Miles5–13
Along the shore Rolling
The highway rolls gently along the lake past Homestead Road and the Sucker River, with a few small rises like the one near mile 8.5. This is where to lock into goal pace and fuel on schedule. The half marathon starts near Greenwood Road, around your mile 13.
8:01 /miMile 13 at 1:43:599:29 a.m.
- Miles13–19
Lakewood & Lester River Rolling
Past the half marathon start, the crowds start building through Lakewood toward the Lester River at mile 19 and the edge of Duluth. Still gently rolling. Stay patient.
8:01 /miMile 19 at 2:32:0610:17 a.m.
- Miles19–22
London Road Rolling
Into Duluth on London Road, with big neighborhood crowds and a gradual rise toward mile 21. The race starts to bite here. Hold your form and keep drinking.
8:03 /miMile 22 at 2:56:1410:41 a.m.
- Miles22–23
Lemon Drop Hill Climb
The course’s famous climb, about 50 feet on London Road around mile 22. It’s short, but it comes when you’re tired. Shorten your stride and drive your arms. It’s mostly downhill or flat from the top.
8:06 /miMile 23 at 3:04:2010:49 a.m.
- Miles23–26.2
Downtown Duluth to Canal Park Downhill
Down Superior Street through downtown Duluth to 5th Avenue West around mile 25, then a turn back toward the lake and the finish in Canal Park. Loud, flat to downhill, and the best mile of the race.
7:59 /miFinish at 3:30:0011:15 a.m.
Every mile split for 3:30:00
| Mile | Terrain | Pace /mi | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat | 7:56 | 7:56 | 7:53 a.m. |
| 2 | Rolling | 7:58 | 15:54 | 8:01 a.m. |
| 3 | Flat | 7:58 | 23:52 | 8:09 a.m. |
| 4 | Flat | 7:59 | 31:52 | 8:17 a.m. |
| 5 | Flat | 8:00 | 39:52 | 8:25 a.m. |
| 6 | Flat | 8:01 | 47:53 | 8:33 a.m. |
| 7 | Flat | 8:04 | 55:57 | 8:41 a.m. |
| 8 | Flat | 8:03 | 1:04:00 | 8:49 a.m. |
| 9 | Downhill | 7:57 | 1:11:58 | 8:57 a.m. |
| 10 | Flat | 8:01 | 1:19:58 | 9:05 a.m. |
| 11 | Flat | 8:04 | 1:28:02 | 9:13 a.m. |
| 12 | Flat | 7:59 | 1:36:01 | 9:21 a.m. |
| 13 | Flat | 7:58 | 1:43:59 | 9:29 a.m. |
| 14 | Flat | 8:01 | 1:52:00 | 9:37 a.m. |
| 15 | Flat | 8:03 | 2:00:02 | 9:45 a.m. |
| 16 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:08:02 | 9:53 a.m. |
| 17 | Flat | 8:05 | 2:16:07 | 10:01 a.m. |
| 18 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:24:07 | 10:09 a.m. |
| 19 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:32:06 | 10:17 a.m. |
| 20 | Flat | 8:05 | 2:40:11 | 10:25 a.m. |
| 21 | Flat | 8:05 | 2:48:16 | 10:33 a.m. |
| 22 | Flat | 7:58 | 2:56:14 | 10:41 a.m. |
| 23 | Rolling | 8:06 | 3:04:20 | 10:49 a.m. |
| 24 | Flat | 7:59 | 3:12:19 | 10:57 a.m. |
| 25 | Flat | 8:03 | 3:20:21 | 11:05 a.m. |
| 26 | Rolling | 7:54 | 3:28:15 | 11:13 a.m. |
| Finish | Flat | 8:00 | 3:30:00 | 11:15 a.m. |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Grandma’s Marathon
Plan for Lemon Drop Hill
It’s about 50 feet at mile 22, nothing on fresh legs, but it’s the one place on the course where your pace will dip. Let it, then use the downhill through downtown.
Watch the lake weather
Lake Superior usually keeps the course cool, but a warm wind off land can make it hot quickly, and fog is common. Check the forecast and adjust your goal on race morning if needed.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do long runs on gently rolling roads with blocks at goal pace.
- Put a short, firm hill around mile 20 to 22 of your longest runs.
- Practice drinking from cups on the move; aid stations come every mile in the last six miles.
Race-day weather
Mid-June on Lake Superior is usually cool for a summer race, often in the 50s°F at the start, and the lake keeps the shore cooler than inland. Some years are warm and humid, and fog is common. Check the forecast in race week.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- The race takes everyone to the start: buses from Duluth, Proctor, Superior and Two Harbors, or the North Shore Scenic Railroad train from Duluth. Pickup times are posted in May.
- The finish area is in Canal Park, with runner services and family meetups nearby.
- Water and Powerade are at miles 3, 5, 7, 9 and every other mile to 19, then every mile, with fresh fruit near miles 19 and 23.5.
Questions runners ask.
Is Grandma’s a good Boston qualifier?
Yes. It’s USATF-certified, gently rolling and slightly downhill, and usually cool, which makes it one of the most popular qualifiers in the Midwest.
What is the time limit?
Seven hours, which requires a pace of about 16 minutes per mile. After that, runners move to the sidewalk and aid stations close.
What is Lemon Drop Hill?
A short climb of about 50 feet on London Road around mile 22. It’s the only real hill of the race, and it comes when you’re tired.
Where should friends and family watch?
London Road and the Lester River area around miles 19 to 22, and downtown Duluth on Superior Street, are the busiest spots. The finish in Canal Park is very crowded, so agree on a meeting point.
Last checked October 21, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
Your next step
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