It's that time again in Duluth, Minnesota. The 2015 Grandma's Marathon gets underway on Saturday, June 20, and the locals are excited about this beloved event. Since its inception in 1977, the race has grown by leaps and bounds. There were just 200 runners in the inaugural race; this year's version is expected to have 18,000.
Erik Nelson, who has assisted with the prep for the race since it began 39 years ago, told Stef Manisero of Fox 21 KQDS, "It's like a holiday for everyone.”
The race gets started at 8:45 a.m. ET (7:45 local).
Per Weather.com, it should be a wet affair. There's a 90 percent chance of rain, and thunderstorms are in the forecast. With a high of 73 degrees and a low of 53, the temperature is great for running, even if the rain puts a bit of a damper on the event.
The Course
The marathon is run on Old Highway 61, and it spans the North Shore of Lake Superior. The starting line is just outside of Two Harbors, Minnesota, with the finish line near Duluth’s Canal Park. This isn't exactly a race designed to challenge the more hardcore and ultra-competitive runners. In fact, per the event's official website, Grandma’s Marathon is said to be perfect for a novice marathoner.
The terrain is mostly free of hills, although there is a large incline near the 22nd mile of the race. In the event that you're a map person, here's a link to one of the best course maps I've ever seen. This one is interactive, and you learn a lot about the surrounding area as well as the course.
As much as the course and the exercise play a part in the value of the race, the area's beautiful scenery is also an attraction. Minnesota is beautiful country, and the backdrop of Grandma's Marathon treats runners and spectators to this aspect of the state.
Even though this isn't the Boston Marathon, runners still may need to know some of the best practices to get the most out of their experience.
WCCO CBS Local's Kylie Bearse spoke to former Olympian Carrie Tollefson, who gave some tips on running the race in the rain. Tollefson said:
What I do to calm my nerves is to visualize the race beforehand. We want to make sure we’re thinking through race day, have your uniform all planned out. You have to still stay hydrated. A lot of people think if it’s cool and rainy you don’t have to hydrate as much. Hydrate before and the few days leading up to it.
If you're in the area—and have a really good umbrella—Grandma's Marathon sounds like it will be a blast again this year. You should check it out.
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