(Duluth, Minn.) Grandma’s Marathon registration closed the morning of December 31 after reaching the registration limit of 8,500 runners. The last time registration closed due to capacity was in 2008. This year, the race filled in only three months.
Grandma’s Marathon Executive Director Shane Bauer reports, "After our sponsor and charity partner entries are accounted for, this year may very well be the largest registration field in Grandma’s Marathon history."
Race officials attribute the unprecedented registration to the excitement surrounding the 40th anniversary. "There’s an emotional component to Grandma’s Marathon that separates us from many other races of our caliber. This event holds a special place in the heart of so many runners; this year is as important to them as it is to Grandma’s Marathon,” Bauer comments.
Promotions included the unveiling of an Aerial Lift Bridge-themed finisher medal as well as the inclusion of a free track jacket with registrations placed prior to January 1. An important logistical change had all three Grandma’s Marathon weekend races open on October 1, as opposed to staggering the registrations.
All three 40th Anniversary Weekend races are now at capacity. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon lottery selected 7,500 runners on November 2. The William A. Irvin 5k reached its field capacity of 2,000 last week. At this time, registrations are still available through our official 2016 Charity Partners Program.
The beginning of the New Year has Grandma’s Marathon launching registration for three popular annual races: the Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K and Park Point 5-Miler. Anyone up for a challenge can run all three races as part of a new series, the KP Challenge.
For more information on any of Grandma's Marathon’s races or events, please contact Grandma’s Marathon headquarters at (218) 727-0947 or Grandmas@GrandmasMarathon.com..
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