Grandma’s Marathon Reaches Fourth Straight Sellout, Fastest Since 2016

January 5, 2024

With Main Field Full, Limited Options into 2024 Race Still Available

DULUTH, MINN./ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Only days away from setting a new all-time record, Grandma’s Marathon has reached the second-fastest sellout in the organization’s history, it was officially announced today.

This marks the fourth straight year the race has reached its capacity, with 9,500 participants signed up for this year’s 26.2-mile road race from Two Harbors to Duluth – that number includes 500 who will also run the William A. Irvin 5K on race weekend.

The 2016 Grandma’s Marathon, which is also the largest in the event’s history with 7,518 finishers, reached its capacity on December 31 and is the organization’s only earlier sellout on record.

“It’s a humbling thing, to see thousands of people so excited to be part of Grandma’s Marathon,” Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider said. “It’s reason for celebration, and now the real work begins to ensure these participants, all of whom have signed up early and are looking forward to the race, have the experience they paid for and are expecting in June.”

After earning a spot last year as the 10^th largest marathon in the United States, organizers expect the total registration for the 2024 Grandma’s Marathon to reach close to 10,000 participants after additional entries are redeemed – i.e. elite athletes, charity partners, sponsors, etc.

While the main field for Grandma’s Marathon has reached capacity, there are still limited ways for those interested to participate in the 2024 event.

• Official Training Group — Participants can register with our official training group, and they will receive a guaranteed entry to the 2024 event of their choice. Fewer than 200 guaranteed race entries remain for the official training group.
• Charity Partners — Participants can register through one of our 2024 Charity Partners. When a participant has reached the fundraising goal – set by each organization – they will receive a free entry into the 2024 event of their choice. Available charity entries vary by organization.
• Bib Transfer Portal — Participants who become injured or no longer able to attend are allowed to transfer their entries until May 1. Grandma’s Marathon has established a Facebook group to help connect those looking to buy or sell a race bib.

For any questions or interview requests, please contact Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider via phone at (218) 343-9874 or via email at zach@grandmasmarathon.com.

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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. After seeing just 150 participants that year, the race weekend has now grown into one of the largest in the United States and welcomes more than 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. In addition to the 26.2-mile race, the organization has now added the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K to its weekend offerings.

As the popularity of Grandma’s Marathon has grown, our mission has stayed the same – to organize, promote, and deliver annual events and programs that cultivate running, educational, social, and charitable opportunities to our communities.

Grandma’s Marathon-Duluth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a nine-person, full-time staff and a 17-member Board of Directors.