2026 Registration Opens at 7:00 p.m. CT Wednesday, October 1

If reaching the finish line will be the most difficult part of the 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend, getting a spot at the start line will be a very close second.

After record-setting registration numbers last year – the half marathon and 5K were sold out in less than two days, and the marathon was sold out in a month – organizers are expecting even more interest this year ahead of the event’s 50th annual celebration.

Expecting more interest surrounding the 50th celebration, organizers have adjusted capacities for the 2026 race weekend – the marathon will take more participants, while the half marathon and 5K will take fewer. Together, there will be 19,000 entries up for grabs when the general registration opens.

The 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend is scheduled for June 18-20, 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. To register or to find more information, please visit grandmasmarathon.com.

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

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

All participants will receive both a shirt and 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.

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

A specially priced participant jacket will also be available for purchase during registration, part of the marathon’s continued partnership with Minnesota-based apparel company Storm Creek.

While details are still being finalized, organizers have hinted the 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend will include 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.

HOW CAN I REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 1?

If the chaos of registering on October 1 is stressing you out, Grandma’s Marathon does have two options to register for the 50th annual race weekend before the general registration opens.

The first is to become a Charity Runner for the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF). The cost of this option – available only for the marathon and 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.

To sign up or to learn more about becoming a YAF Charity Runner (limited to first 200), please click HERE.

The second is to join the Grandma’s Marathon Training Group. The cost of this option is $135.73 until October 1 but does not include your race entry fee. There will be 65+ group runs in the Twin Ports area available to members beginning in January, and training is available at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels.

Those who sign up for the training group before October 1 will have a guaranteed spot in either the marathon or half marathon (limited to first 200) and will receive registration instructions later in October.

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.