Important New Registration Details For Grandma’s Marathon Races In Minnesota

The 2025 Grandma's Marathon weekend was a tremendous success, with record-setting registration numbers. The half-marathon and 5K were sold out in less than two days, and the marathon was sold out in a month.

In 2026, Grandma's Marathon will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, and while full details are not yet available, organizers have hinted that the 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend will be special across the board.

Don't be surprised to see several celebrity and guest appearances, a marquee musical selection for Bayfront Festival Park, a historical museum hosted at the Duluth Depot, and other special events to celebrate five decades of success for the race.

The bottom line is that it will be an even bigger Grandma's Marathon race weekend next year, and all races will likely sell out fast. Therefore, runners will need to be ready as soon as registration opens, because entries into all the races will be available at the same time on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Date And Time Announced For Registration Into 2026 Grandma's Marathon Races

The 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, to Saturday, June 20, and registration for the weekend’s races will open on a first-come, first-served basis at 7:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, October 1.

Race capacities have been adjusted for the 2026 race weekend, with the marathon taking more participants, and the half-marathon and 5K taking fewer. Together, there will be 19,000 entries up for grabs when the general registration opens. You can click the button above to register or to find more information.

The opening pricing tier runs from October 1-15 for all three races, with the following  individual race capacities and starting entry fees (including all fees and surcharges):

• Grandma’s Marathon (9,500 capacity) – $155
• Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (7,000 capacity) – $145
• William A. Irvin 5K (1,500 capacity) – $55

There will again be a limited number of Great Grandma’s Challenge entries available, offering a chance to participate in both the 5K on Friday and either the marathon or half-marathon on Saturday.

• Full Great Grandma’s Challenge (500 capacity) – $240
• Half Great Grandma’s Challenge (500 capacity) – $230

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All participants will receive both a shirt and a finisher medal, as well as a free drink coupon that can be redeemed during race weekend. Full marathoners will also receive a commemorative pair of socks to celebrate 50 years of Grandma’s Marathon, and Great Grandma’s Challenge participants will receive a branded running hat.

Keep in mind that participants in the Great Grandma’s Challenge will receive a specialized Challenge medal, as well as the two individual event medals, after finishing their marathon or half-marathon on Saturday.

Is There A Way To Register Before October 1?

If trying to secure a spot in your race when registration opens on October 1 is too stressful, Grandma’s Marathon does have two options to register for the 50th annual race weekend before the general registration opens.

1. Become a Charity Runner for the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF). The cost of this option, which is available only for the marathon and the half-marathon, is $500, which includes your race entry fee. The net proceeds will benefit the YAF, which has contributed more than $1.8M to the local community’s youth athletics and recreational activities since 1990. Registration is limited to the first 200 runners, and you can click here to enter.
2. Join the Grandma’s Marathon Training Group. The cost of this option is $135.73 until October 1, and while it does guarantee a spot in your choice of either the marathon or half-marathon, it does not include your race entry fee. There will be 65+ group runs in the Twin Ports area available to members beginning in January. You can click here to sign up.

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