Exciting Grandma's Marathon Festivities in Duluth

Grandma's Marathon Festivities Kick Off in Duluth

The first runners have crossed the finish line of the 2024 Grandma's Marathon weekend. Bayfront Festival Park was abuzz with activities for the Young Athletes Festival for Kids and Whipper Snapper Races for Kids on Friday. The events were held ahead of the William A. Irvin 5K and the main races - Grandma's Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Children aged 14 and under participated in various divisions, with races ranging from 1/8 of a mile to half a mile, based on their age group. Each participant received a race number, finisher medal, and a goodie bag to mark their accomplishment.

The Irvin 5K took place at 6 p.m. on Friday, starting in front of the William A. Irvin ore ship museum and finishing at Bayfront Festival Park. Following the race, Rock the Bayfront kicked off with The Reckoning performing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rock the Bayfront was open to the public free of charge throughout the weekend, offering a range of entertainment options. Families and spectators were encouraged to check out the Duluth News Tribune Grandma's Marathon Spectator Guide for more details on the upcoming events.

In light of the upcoming races, race officials are closely monitoring the weather forecast. A stalled front is predicted to bring heavy showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, potentially impacting the start times of Grandma's Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Runners have been advised to stay tuned for electronic notifications by 3 a.m. on Saturday in case of any race-day changes. While the morning is expected to be wet, efforts are being made to ensure the races proceed as planned, as Grandma's Marathon has never been canceled due to weather conditions.

Despite the weather challenges, some participants have withdrawn from the marathon due to the rain forecast, including former wheelchair winners Aaron Pike, Susannah Scaroni, and Jenna Fesemyer. The decision to continue with the races reflects the organizers' commitment to upholding the tradition of Grandma's Marathon. In the face of uncertainties, race officials have reviewed and reaffirmed their emergency operations plan, expressing confidence in their preparedness. Additionally, the refund policy for the event remains unchanged, with a strict no-refund policy in place, in line with previous years.