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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 271 to 281]
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Mark G. from Boise, ID
(7/16/2002)
"Tough race to get into . . . but worth it!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run Grandma's eight times. The last time I ran it was in 1999 before this race somehow became 'the' race to run. It has exploded in popularity and usually fills up a couple weeks after entries start being taken in March. They put a cap on the number of participants (9,000) simply for the fact that there is not enough lodging to support the 15,000 entries I'm sure they would receive if it were unlimited. If you get in, I recommend staying in the University of MN-Duluth dorms. They are inexpensive, well-staffed, and you can get right on a shuttle first thing in the morning. Plus, there are a lot of other runners to enjoy the atmosphere with. The race itself is along the North Shore of Lake Superior. You are always going to get nice cool breezes to help you along as you make your way into Duluth. Only once in my years of doing this race have I felt the heat. And it is usually sunny and cool at the finish line so bring a sweatshirt. The crowds are great. Although they don't line the route constantly, it is nice to get a break every couple of miles and listen to the 'hum' of thousands of feet hitting the ground. When you do run into pockets of spectators they are LOUD! Minnesota folk are quite enthused about this race since it is the BIG EVENT in Duluth every year. The course is rolling and you can see the lift-bridge where the finish line is for the last 16 miles of the race. This can be demoralizing if you are hurting early on in the race. But by the time you get into the Duluth city limits, the crowds are thick and everybody is partying! Make sure you save some room for a beer at mile 23 in front of the Law School house. After that, the last couple miles are right through downtown and it's cool to hear the crowds echo off the tall buildings. People go nuts for this race. You finish in Canal Park where you can watch the ships go by as you pig out on a great post-race spread. Traffic is not a problem. T-shirts are always well-done. Weather makes for fast times. The only thing I would change about this race is the post-race party. They charge an arm and a leg to get in. You are better off bar-hopping in Canal Park instead of going to a subdued post-race concert. | |
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A Runner from Plattsmouth, NE
(7/6/2002)
"Great race, great organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon and I loved it. Except for the rain delay, everything was perfect. They really know how to take care of the runners. I found the city very friendly and I loved the big ballons marking the miles for me. I always had something to pull me along. Cool temp and the wind at my back made for a PR for me! Thanks Duluth for an experience to cherish. I think everyone should run this race at least once. I'll be back next year! | |
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Sue Sifferle from Buffalo, Minn.
(7/4/2002)
"BEAUTIFUL COURSE & GREAT SUPPORT BY SPECTATORS!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 THIS IS THE 3RD GRANDMAS MARATHON I'VE RAN & WAS ONCE AGAIN IMPRESSED WITH THE OVERALL ORGANIZATION! EASY TO FIND PARKING, EASY TO PICK UP PACKETS, PLENTY OF BUSES TO START LINE, PLENTY OF SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY & BEST OF ALL AN AWESOME CROWD!! | |
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A Runner from Aberdeen, SD
(6/29/2002)
"I think you'll go home happy ..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon is VERY well organized. It was just my second marathon, and both have been good experiences. That makes the running life so much easier. One gripe: The start of the 2002 race was delayed a half hour about three minutes before it was supposed to start. There were severe weahter concerns, but they didn't really tell us that. It was just called a 'rain delay.' Everybody had turned in their sweats, was in the chute and ready to run. Then ... the announcement. Aside from that, though, it was great. I forgot about the delay a mile into the race. The weather (50-55 degrees with 10 mph tailwind) was good for running, although bad for spectators, I guess. The course is great and they get you to the start in plenty of time. The expo and post-race organization and pasta opportunites and all that jazz are super. The crowds weren't what I expected, but again, that was probably weather-related with threats of rain all day. The upside is that the smaller crowds made it easier for 'your' fans (family members, friends) to see you a few times during the race. Check this race out. And plan to spend a few extra days in the wonderful Duluth/North Shore area. The city loves its marathon and I find the city itself soothing and tourist-friendly. You'll go home happy. | |
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A Runner from Minneapolis, MN
(6/26/2002)
"Great first marathon, fast and cool!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and it turned out to be fantastic! I was worried about the weather, it was 90 degrees in Minneapolis when I left for Duluth. In Duluth, it was 58 degrees! It rained for about 10 minutes, then got humid and warm during the 2nd mile of the course, then when we dropped down by the lake, it was in the low 50's. Perfect for a marathon! The aid stations were perfectly positioned, when I needed water or food, they were there. The spectators were wonderful, and even called the runners by name or number (wear your name on your shirt!). You get a 1/2 marathon time and a full marathon time - and it took me about 4 minutes to make it to the starting line. The finish (last 3/4 of a mile) is tough because there are several 90 degree turns through canal park. You think you are almost there, and it's really a 1/2 mile more! Still, the finish line was well designed, the crowds very supportive, and there were numerous porta-potties along the route. (And LOTS of wooded areas for those that don't care about being seen.) Some of the mile marker balloons were popped by the time most of us marathon runners arrived, but at least 1/2 were still floating, marking the miles. Different colored balloons are used for the 1/2 marathon markers. Since everything books up a year in advance, go and rent a room at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. The prices are cheaper than hotels, and you get to stay with other runners. A bus will also pick you up at your door and take you to the starting line. Plus, the food service is great for cheap meals! Here's a hint, most runners stay overnight Friday and Saturday nights, not Thursday and Friday nights. The town is still empty until late Friday afternoon. You will enjoy this marathon, I certainly did! | |
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A Runner from Northport, Alabama
(6/25/2002)
"What a Great Marathon!!!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great marathoning experience. A very well organized, runner friendly event. The course is fairly flat and conducive to fast times. The first 18 miles are in a rural setting, so the majority of the fans (and they are enthusiastic) are from mile 18 to the finish. This is a highly recommended marathon. | |
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A Runner from Chicago west suburbs
(6/25/2002)
"A good regional race with Great Lakes flavor" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 9th mara and 1st Grandma's. Duluth is friendly, and the organization and expo were good. The pasta dinner was well run and the pasta was better than most - very tasty. Seconds were encouraged. The course is a point-to-point straight shot south into Canal Park. It's slightly rolling with no turns until you get into town. There is no lake view until somewhere after the halfway point, then it's beautiful. The volunteers were great and the spectators were enthusiastic. Food after the race was abundant. The weather was cool and humid. The rain hold was confusing, but no problem. Bring a long garbage bag and throw-away clothes to wear while you stand around after being bussed in. The bussing was very organized with no long waits. Some issues - the aid stations seemed irregularly scattered and served Ultima Replenisher sports drink, which to me tastes like Flintstone's chewable vitamins crushed up in water. We chose to wear bottle belts filled with Gatorade and carry film cans of extra powder. I tried training with Ultima and found it didn't sustain energy for me. Grandma's should bring Gatorade onboard, or PowerAde, but not Ultima or Sobe. People have to run while drinking this stuff, it's important. Much of the first 18 miles is pretty solitary, with clumps of spectators here and there. Once in town, the spectators were more evenly spaced. The finish has more turns than you'd guess - the balloon arches aren't it. Go another half-mile. The actual finish was anticlimatic. One note about the hotels - we stayed at the Superior Inn and requested a non-smoking room. When we arrived, our room stank. The ladies at the desk said, 'You runners always complain about that.' The hair dryer cord was brown from old smoke and we had no option but to make do. Get a faxed commitment when you book your non-smoking room, and book early. All in all, a fun race - better than Green Bay, not as colorful as Cincinnati. Of course, Chicago is the best in the region, but is in another league entirely and really shouldn't be compared. The Great Lakes/Ore boat/port city flavor of this race is what makes it unique. | |
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Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, Arizona
(6/25/2002)
"Believe the hype; Grandma's delivers!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 17th marathon, and by far the most enjoyable in so many respects. They have taken care of everything; all you do is show up and take it all in. The pasta feed is friendly and efficient. The buses to the start are lined up ready to go. The race start area has sufficient portajohns, water, first aid, etc. The course is very gentle and rolling; easily a course to PR on and it is very scenic. The spectators are warm and friendly and cheer you on with enthusiasm. The water stops are completely stocked with everything; enough water, Ultima, sponges, Vaseline, first aid, etc. and scores of volunteers to hand it all out. The miles are well marked with giant balloons and the aid stations are numerous especially in the last 6 miles. The finish area has loads of food; bagels, yogurt, cookies, water, juice, ice cream, and of course beer. It's a really festive area at the finish line and your runner bags are right there to retrieve. There are tents for post-race food, music, and massage, too. The entire town knows what's going on; the local paper and all of the TV stations cover the events like it is the Olympics. Souvenirs are handled by Target and they're well-designed and price-friendly. All of the Grandma's Restaurants help in the celebration, too as do the hotels. One note: Book your accomodations EARLY; rooms fill a year out. The downtown fans come out to cheer you on; absolutely a hometown event. I'd recommend this race especially to first-timers, but also to veterans who are looking to re-energize their marathoning experience. You've heard all the hype; believe it--Grandma's delivers that and so much more and they do it (very modestly, too) with that Midwest hospitality that you always hear about. | |
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A Runner from Munster, Indiana
(6/25/2002)
"Great marathon experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I recently completed my first marathon and the experience was fantastic. The course is basically flat and because it runs one direction, the tailwind certainly helped. The views of Lake Superior were great and the organization was perfect. All of the people of Duluth are 100% behind this race. Although the fan support at some spots on the course was sparce, the enthusiasm of those supporting us more than made up for a lack of numbers. And after mile 18 or so the support was huge. This race is a real winner, all the way from the people, to the course, from the pasta dinner to the expo. I can not imagine a nicer and more friendly marathon experience. And the water and aid stations were clean and had more than enough people working them. There was also plenty of entertainment on the couse, including free beer at mile 20 or so. (not an official stop) Go to Grandma's and enjoy. | |
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A Runner from Apple Valley, Minnesota
(6/23/2002)
"Big marathon feel, smaller town, great event" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run Grandma's twice and in my opinion it is the best. The course is beautiful and fairly fast, definately a PR course. The organizers do a great job making you feel special, ample aid stations with fluids, food, first aid, etc... The entire city (approx 80,000) is active in supporting this event. There is no doubt this is more than a marathon to the people of Duluth. Every marathoner should consider running Grandma's at least once. If you do, you will be back. Great job Grandma's, I'll be back again next year. |
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