Grandmas Marathon Race Prep

Grandma's Marathon: a net downhill point-to-point course in Duluth. Pacing by section, fueling, and race-day tips.

Use TrainPace to plan a simple, repeatable strategy for Grandmas Marathon: pacing targets, fueling basics, and course/elevation awareness.

Pace calculator: training zones + race pace
Fuel planner: carbs/hour + gel timing
Elevation analysis: hills, grades, and difficulty

How to prepare for Grandmas Marathon

Plan pacing, fueling, and course strategy for Grandmas Marathon using free calculators and GPX elevation analysis.

Pick a realistic goal time: Use a recent race result or time trial to set a starting point.
Set training paces: Calculate easy, tempo, threshold, and interval paces for your training block.
Build a fueling plan: Estimate carbs/hour and gel timing that you can practice in long runs.
Review course elevation: Upload a GPX to spot key climbs and decide where to adjust effort.

Grandma's Marathon course guide

Grandma's Marathon is held in June, on the third Saturday. It runs point to point from Two Harbors along Scenic Highway 61 and Lake Superior into Canal Park in Duluth. A pacing guide gives a net drop of about 130 ft (about 40 m), with rolling hills in the middle and a short climb at Lemon Drop Hill.

Grandma's Marathon at a glance
Fact	Value
Location	Duluth, Minnesota, USA
Distance	42.195 km (marathon)
Usually held	June
Course	net downhill, point-to-point
Typical weather	Starts about 10–16 °C; finishes about 20–22 °C
Official site	https://www.grandmasmarathon.com/

Course highlights

Start on Lemon Drop Road in Two Harbors
Scenic Highway 61 along Lake Superior
Rolling hills in the middle miles
Lemon Drop Hill around mile 22
Finish in Canal Park, near the Aerial Lift Bridge

Grandma's Marathon pacing strategy

The early miles drop gently, which tempts runners to go out fast. Do not bank time there. Run the rolling middle by effort and save your legs for Lemon Drop Hill around mile 22. The last miles ease downhill to the finish.

Pacing by course section
Section	Terrain	Advice
mile 1–6	Gentle descent, about 100 ft, with some flat sections	Run at or slightly slower than goal pace; do not bank time.
mile 7–19	Flat with rolling hills	Hold even effort and use the lake breeze.
mile 20–23	Climb to the top of Lemon Drop Hill around mile 22	Shorten your stride and run the hill by effort.
mile 24–26.2	Mostly flat with downhill stretches into Canal Park	Let the downhill help and push to the finish.

Fueling notes

Aid stations are about every 2 miles with Gatorade Endurance, and gels are at miles 13 and 20 according to a pacing guide. Take your own gel before Lemon Drop Hill, around mile 19–20.

Race-day tips

Buses from the DECC in Duluth are the way to reach the start, so plan early
Wind can matter, as the course runs south-west along the lake
Do not run the early downhill too fast; it can damage your quads
Expect cool starts and warmer finishes, so use a throwaway layer

Frequently asked questions

Is Grandma's Marathon net downhill?

Yes. A pacing guide gives a net drop of about 130 ft (about 40 m), though it includes rolling hills and a climb at Lemon Drop Hill.

Where is Lemon Drop Hill?

Around mile 22, according to Wikipedia and a pacing guide. It is a short climb late in the race.

When is Grandma's Marathon held?

It is held on the third Saturday in June.

Facts checked 2026-10 against the sources below. Race details change from year to year — confirm with the official site before race day.

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