Grandma's Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
A point-to-point along the North Shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Canal Park in Duluth, run every June since 1977. The route follows Scenic Highway 61 on a gentle net downhill with only Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22 breaking the rhythm. A perennial Boston qualifier favorite with reliable late-spring conditions.
The Grandma's Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change — rated 2/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 530 ft (160 m) and loses 650 ft (200 m), with a net drop of 35 m (115 ft). Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 35 (near mile 21.5), demanding about 8% more effort than the same distance on flat ground. The steepest pitch on course reaches 4.5%.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Duluth, MN, USA |
| Total ascent | 530 ft (160 m) |
| Total descent | 650 ft (200 m) |
| Net elevation | -115 ft (-35 m) |
| Steepest grade | 4.5% |
| Difficulty | 2/5 |
| Field size | ≈9,500 runners |
| Race day | Third Saturday of June |
Mile-by-mile splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill miles get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Mile | GAP pace /mi | GAP pace /km | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:04 | 5:38 | -13 ft (-4 m) | 9:04 |
| 2 | 8:58 | 5:34 | -26 ft (-8 m) | 18:02 |
| 3 | 8:55 | 5:32 | -30 ft (-9 m) | 26:57 |
| 4 | 9:13 | 5:44 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 36:10 |
| 5 | 9:02 | 5:37 | -16 ft (-5 m) | 45:13 |
| 6 | 9:09 | 5:41 | -9 ft (-3 m) | 54:21 |
| 7 | 9:13 | 5:44 | +4 ft (+1 m) | 1:03:34 |
| 8 | 9:26 | 5:52 | +26 ft (+8 m) | 1:13:00 |
| 9 | 9:20 | 5:48 | +13 ft (+4 m) | 1:22:21 |
| 10 | 8:39 | 5:22 | -62 ft (-19 m) | 1:30:59 |
| 11 | 9:28 | 5:53 | +29 ft (+9 m) | 1:40:27 |
| 12 | 9:08 | 5:41 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 1:49:35 |
| 13 | 9:02 | 5:37 | -16 ft (-5 m) | 1:58:37 |
| 14 | 9:15 | 5:45 | +8 ft (+2 m) | 2:07:52 |
| 15 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +1 ft (0 m) | 2:17:04 |
| 16 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 2:26:11 |
| 17 | 9:17 | 5:46 | +10 ft (+3 m) | 2:35:27 |
| 18 | 9:24 | 5:51 | +23 ft (+7 m) | 2:44:52 |
| 19 | 8:54 | 5:32 | -31 ft (-9 m) | 2:53:46 |
| 20 | 9:28 | 5:53 | +31 ft (+9 m) | 3:03:14 |
| 21 | 9:22 | 5:49 | +17 ft (+5 m) | 3:12:36 |
| 22 | 8:59 | 5:35 | -21 ft (-6 m) | 3:21:35 |
| 23 | 9:18 | 5:47 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 3:30:53 |
| 24 | 9:08 | 5:40 | -6 ft (-2 m) | 3:40:01 |
| 25 | 9:01 | 5:36 | -17 ft (-5 m) | 3:49:03 |
| 26 | 8:58 | 5:34 | -25 ft (-8 m) | 3:58:00 |
| 26.2 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -1 ft (0 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Grandma's Marathon flat or hilly?
The Grandma's Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change (2/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 530 ft (160 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the Grandma's Marathon have?
About 530 ft (160 m) of total ascent and 650 ft (200 m) of descent, for a net change of -115 ft (-35 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the Grandma's Marathon course?
Kilometre 35 (near mile 21.5) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 8% more effort than flat running. The steepest grade on course is 4.5%.
When is the Grandma's Marathon?
The Grandma's Marathon is typically held on the third Saturday of June. The next edition is expected around June 19, 2027. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the Grandma's Marathon?
The field is roughly 9,500 runners.
What pace do I need to run the Grandma's Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Duluth race
Marathons with a similar profile
- California Marathon — 590 ft (180 m) ascent
- Honolulu Marathon — 440 ft (140 m) ascent
- Twin Cities Marathon — 680 ft (210 m) ascent
- Toronto Marathon — 380 ft (120 m) ascent
Official race site: https://grandmasmarathon.com