Perfect Weather, Breathtaking Views: A Grandma’s Marathon Recap

Margie Carr(MM14040, DA3026, HF12737) – Grandma’s Marathon Duluth MN 6/20/26 Recap. Goal Race for 2026 as 70 yr old. 12th full marathon. This race sold out in an hour last October. Booked hotel walking distance to expo/bus last July. I got in for the full and Bob for the half as well as several Ohio running friends,. Races said to have 20,000 in total for 50 th anniversary.
Went Thursday to Expo. Place was hoppin. Friday met with group for pre-race vittles at Grandma’s. Saturday up at 2:30 AM to get ready for Bob off to the bus for the half. My bus was at 5:30 and took us to the start at Twin Harbors. Daylight is much longer in this area so a bonus of not being in the dark. Weather was perfect at the start and got warm half way. Corrals were crowded, but all friendly. After the National Anthem, what a surprise to see a fly over of two military jets. Just added to the awesomeness of the start. Started out with the 5:30 pacers and stayed with them for quite a while Jeffing with others before the the heat came. The course took us along Lake Superior….breathtaking views for miles. Spectators all along the course were so supportive. This town loves the race. Had fiddle groups, singers, and the Scots with bagpipes at Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22. The course was stated to be flat, but seemed a lot of rolling uphills…. Aid stations every 2 miles, then every mile closer to the end. Excellent volunteers and safety crews. My goal time was 6 hours and I came in at 6 hours 8 minutes. Goal really was just to finish and did with no soreness or blisters. Thankful for running coach Brandon Colon for all the training guidance and all family and friends encouragement. Made the switch to Asics good choice thank you David Jacobson (Achilles Running) and wore Marathon Maniacs jersey. Someday I’ll log in all my races as a Double Agent. Fueling is always an issue of what will work on race day. Peppermint Drops from Willoughby’s Jeff’s Candy helped a lot.
After Burning River trail marathon next month I will retire from fulls. Training 18 weeks in all weather takes discipline and a lot of time of which I’m running out. It’s a mental and physical commitment but so necessary to allow for the best chance of a successful outcome which I had with no soreness post race. Will there be another opportunity to feel the thrill of the the crowds along the course and coming in to the finish of 26.2? I’ve been fortunate to be able to tackle hard things starting in my late 50’s when it was thought that it wasn’t physically possible. I’ll keep racing the half marathons in as many states until my check engine light comes on and maybe…in another ten years…a 26.2 will return. So for now, when asked what distance are you racing? I’ll be saying “just the half”. #marathonmaniacs #14040 #grandmasmarathon

Photo and Post Credit Margie Carr