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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 71 to 81]
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Derek Rogers from Toronto, Canada
(6/18/2012)
"Deserves its great reputation." (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Exceptional and remarkably enthusiastic volunteers. Very attractive course with a good exposure to an interesting urban landscape in Duluth after the magnificent Lake Superior shore. Great reception for finishers - almost everything you could ask for. I stayed at UWSuperior and the bus service to the start line and then from the finish was truly excellent. The organization for this marathon is unsurpassed. I have always been impressed by Boston, and Grandma's buses are a step ahead. I say this in the context of my second worst finish - the result of an injury and no reflection on a superlative race. | |
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C. F. from Chicago, illinois
(6/17/2012)
"Awesome, fast, flat marathon!" (about: 2012)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Easy race logistically due to the low number of runners. Weather is generally cooler but a bit warm in 2012. Not a good race for spectators to see their runners at different spots without a car and some local knowledge. Had a bad experience with a race 'official' at mile 24 when my wife was jogging along side me. This could happen at any race but c'mon. Small races like his are supposed to be laid back. Its not like i was going to win. Everyone else in Duluth was extremely friendly! Some great restaraunts too if you poke around. | |
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Jonathan Lund from Duluth, Minnesota
(6/16/2012)
"Terrific race in 2012" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Grandma's Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I know Grandmas is always the third Saturday in June, but that can make a difference: having it as early as the 16th or as late as the 23rd can present unique weather challenges. I can't stress enough how the city comes together to support the runners, the quality of the medical staff, and the 'good stuff' (medals/shirts) get better every year. It's a point to point, so you feel like you're going somewhere. Out and backs are fine, but this felt good. People are so much friendlier and up for small talk.,.not such a serious, grumpy crowd here. Go to Duluth some year and check it out. As a poor runner, I research my options very early: my tips? The dorms at Univ. of MN - Duluth (UMD) are cheap (you must sign up in Feb/March); use the Mpls (MSP) airport and take the Skyline Shuttle to Duluth from the airport. Much of the sights don't need to cost money: Skyline Pkwy and Observation Park provide perfect post-race photos with your finisher gear and the city/lake in the background. Sign up super early and you'll save $30-$40. | |
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f. b. from flagstaff, AZ
(4/9/2012)
"Great first marathon" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was exceptionally well organized, community support was fantastic, and course was beautiful. A GREAT experience. | |
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F. B. from Flagstaff, AZ
(12/15/2011)
"Great race" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I was very impressed with the race organization, the volunteers, and the MANY spectators along the route cheering us on. This route is closed to traffic during the race which was wonderful. I ran with the 4 hour pace team and was surrounded by upbeat and interesting runners. | |
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D. W. from Kansas City
(8/1/2011)
"well organized, great support" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Ran grandmas 35th anniversary race. Very nice race with good support from the community. The course was scenic with views of lake superior for much of it. I've run several large races; Chicago, San Diego, etc. and this size was much more enjoyable. My fourteenth race overall and definately the best organized. Busses from the hotel to near the start line were easy, bag check system was most efficient I've seen, plenty of porta johns at the start, good expo, The pasta dinner ran all day and evening at the expo was a good idea. | |
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M. L. from Atlanta, GA
(7/4/2011)
"Glad I ran this race. :)" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a race I'd always heard about and wanted to run. After four years off from marathons, I targeted this race to see if it met the hype. For the most part - yes - it definitely does. Organization - 2nd to none. It's a good sized marathon/half-marathon. Communication for the months leading up to the race up until race day - superb. Experience - I've run the larger marathons (NYC, Chicago) and one smaller (Fargo). I did notice that the people of Duluth were really curious about who the participants were - where they were from, etc. As someone who lived in a town of 500 growing up, I appreciated that curiousity. I really enjoyed the friendly feel of the race. I support going the dorm route - stayed at UW-Superior. It made race day SO easy - walk out the door onto a bus to the start line. Great set-up. Course - beautiful. But, I'll admit, I was ready to see something else after 18 miles along the lake. I did like the rolling hills - not tough....just made the race challenging enough - but not TOO challenging. Post-race. I really enjoyed the set-up. Finisher shirt was great. '11 was COLD - so I spent 1/2 hr just trying to warm up. I'd recommend this race. I'll probably try others out since I like to see different parts of the U.S. But, try this one....worth the trip. | |
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Pat Murphy from Ohio
(7/2/2011)
"Wow! Exceeded my expectations and then some" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Talk about superb organization, amazing community and volunteer support, and add in some soothing views of the Big Lake and spectacular Duluth, what is not to like? The Clifbar 4:15 Pace team experience made it even better. Thanks Star and Clifbar! I feared the weather would be so dreadful the race would be cancelled (it thunderstormed and poured rain ahead of time and was in the 40s) and I almost backed out but it was about ideal except for hypothermia hitting me after reaching the finish line. PB. BQ. Go for it. | |
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K. M. from Roswell, GA
(6/25/2011)
"Not One For The Slow Folks" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I chose Grandma's Marathon for my second marathon because reviews indicated it was reasonably flat and because it had a seven hour time limit. Packet pickup was very easy. There was a large expo with lots of interesting things. The pasta dinner was excellent. I stayed at a dorm at UWS. It was exactly what I expected - modest accommodations, but clean. I would not hesitate to stay there again. Was able to 'check out' about 4:30 AM as I headed to the start. The setting of the course along Lake Superior and through downtown Duluth was scenic and pleasant. Flat to rolling terrain and a slight downhill bias, with Lemondrop Hill the only stretch - maybe a quarter mile - which would qualify as knowing you were on a hill (and then just barely). The first nineteen miles of the event are pretty isolated. As a marathon walker, I enjoyed the solitude. It had rained all night and was raining even as we boarded the train to Two Harbors. What a fantastic way to get people to the starting line! The course was initially wet, but it didn't rain during the race - for that we were fortunate. As I approached Lemondrop Hill the course was opened to traffic. It would have been nice to have been pointed to sidewalk on the right side of the road since the left sidewalk did NOT go where the race went!! Little did I know then that was just the start of having to find my way to the finish line..... The race to that point was a straight shot toward Duluth from Two Harbors - no question about where to walk. But once in town, and particularly near the finish, there are several turns and there was ABSOLUTELY NO indication of the marathon route. Fortunately earlier finishers were around and able to guide me through the turns. I recognize I am one of the slower participants and the resources of the race need to be focused on the masses. Still, if the race advertises a seven hour time limit, I think the organization should be committed to supporting those on a seven hour pace. I was on a less than 6:50 pace and rather feel like I was abandoned. I saw a clock at mile five - I did not see another one until the finish line. Several of the water stops after the mid-point were almost completely broken down, some only had water or Powerade. And I don't have a time for the 25 mile mark - from the results it looks like those folks packed up and left about 6:15 into the race. Why? Despite my issues, it was a wonderful experience and I appreciate the opportunity Grandma's Marathon provided. | |
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B. V. from Fort Collins, CO
(6/22/2011)
"Grandma's is simply one of the best" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grandma's Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My Grandma's experience was great. I met my goal of a sub-2:50. The course is scenic and slightly downhill. We got lucky with the weather, which helped many runners clock outstanding times. The organization was outstanding. The spectators are some of the best I've ever encountered in a marathon. If you haven't done this one, put it on your calendar for next year. |
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