FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spectators, Post-Race Celebration Back In 2021 Grandma's Marathon Plan
Updated State Guidelines Allow for Expanded Race Weekend Activities
(DULUTH, MINN.) --- A loosening of the state's public health guidelines,
announced last week by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has paved the way for
the return of two traditional and popular pieces of Grandma's Marathon
weekend.
Based on the Governor's expected timeline of eliminating capacity limits
and distancing requirements, organizers say they will now be able to
welcome spectators on race weekend and host a post-race celebration.
"Those things were crossed off pretty early in our planning process based
on the previous guidelines, and the result was going to be a very different
feeling come race weekend" Executive Director Shane Bauer said. "Bringing
those pieces back will not only amplify the experience of our participants,
but it's great for our community members who wait all year to be part of
Grandma's Marathon weekend."
Spectators were originally discouraged from attending this year's Grandma's
Marathon, but the updated guidance will now allow those who wish to watch
the races to do so.
"It's great to be adding that community aspect back into our plans for
June," Race Director Greg Haapala said. "That said, we will be keeping some
of the mitigation tactics in place to help keep some of those large groups
from forming, and we ask that everyone who does attend is mindful and
respectful of others."
The post-race celebration will be in a new location this year, moving from
near the finish line in Canal Park to Bayfront Festival Park. Live musical
acts will be featured throughout race day, and admission will be free for
all ages in celebration of the 45th anniversary of Grandma's Marathon.
"The move to Bayfront is an exciting change for this year's Grandma's
Marathon," Finance & Operations Director Linda Hanson said. "It's a great
Duluth venue built for the very thing we want to do – come together and
celebrate with our participants, our many partners, and our community that
supports us year round. To be given the opportunity to bring this event
back into our planning means so much because it's not only a tradition,
it's how we say thank you to everyone for a job well done."
Amid the excitement of what the new guidelines allow, organizers want to
remind anyone planning on participating, volunteering, or attending
Grandma's Marathon that personal responsibility will still play a major
role in the weekend's overall success.
"This is still a large event that involves people from all over the
country, from all different walks of life, and potentially with many
different comfort levels," Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach
Schneider said. "We want everyone involved to feel as comfortable and as
safe as possible, so we encourage everyone to take proper precautions in
terms of masks and distancing even in areas it's not technically required
by the guidance."
It's expected that Grandma's Marathon will be one of the country's first
major running events to return following the COVID-19 pandemic, so plenty
of eyes will be on Duluth this June.
"This is our chance to do a really big thing and do it well," Schneider
said. "We want people to enjoy themselves, to feel safe, and to say good
things about our race and our community when they leave here. Grandma's was
built on the idea of community coming together, and we need that in a
different but critically important way this year."
Masks or face coverings, according to the expected guidelines, will be
required in all race-controlled areas with more than 500 people in
attendance. Organizers expect that to include the start and finish areas,
Bayfront Festival Park, the Michelina's All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner,
and the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
As in the originally released plan, participants will not be required to
wear a mask or face covering while actively participating in their race.
The 45th annual Grandma's Marathon weekend will be held June 17-19, 2021.
ABOUT GRANDMA'S MARATHON
Grandma's Marathon began in 1977 when a group of local runners planned a
scenic road race from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota. There were just 150
participants that year, but organizers knew they had discovered something
special. Grandma's Marathon weekend draws approximately 20,000 participants
for its three-race event each June.
The race got its name from the Duluth-based group of famous Grandma's
Restaurants, the first major sponsor of the Marathon. Over time, the level
of sponsorship with the restaurants changed, but the name stayed the same.
Grandma's Marathon-Duluth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit
organization with a 17-member Board of Directors and a nine-person,
full-time staff.
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