Registration: This was available online, starting at $90 and increasing until the end of may, a cap of 8,500 participants. Included with registration was a bib (name if registered early) chip timing, finisher’s shirt, finisher’s medal, post race beer and festivities.

Expo / Packet Pick-up: The expo was held at the Duluth Convention Center, with a ramp for parking at $5. It was held the Thursday and Friday before the race, up until 11pm to get your packet. You could also have it mailed to you for $25. Someone else could grab your packet with a signed wavier. The packet pick up was in the back of the convention hall, once you had it, the chip on your bib was checked. The bib was in a clear bag that doubled for gear check, also had some paper flyers and a beet juice sample. We also received a virtual bag via email.

The expo included many of the same exhibitors you would see at most larger events. Shoes, head bands, apparel, nearby races. It was a decent size.

Pasta party: For only $12 (tickets could be purchased ahead of time or at the gate) you could choose plain noodles, marinara sauce, meatballs, or gluten free noodles. Then you could have some lettuce, bread, ice cream, milk, or popsicle. It was all you could eat.

Pre-race: Early wake up to board a bus by 6:15 am. The starting point had a lot of portapotties. Bag drop was available, use the bag you got your packet in the night before. There were no pre-assigned corrals, but encouraged to line up by estimated finishing times. There was music over a PA. The National Anthem was performed live.

Race: This was the 39th year of the race.It is a point to point race. It starts in Two Harbors, MN and ends in Duluth. The half marathon starts at the halfway point 45 minutes before the full. You are encouraged to take a bus or the train to the start of either race. Many buses depart from Duluth and Superior, WI hotels.

Course: Run on old Highway 61 along Lake Superior.

-FLAT! Elevation change is just under 200 feet
-paved surface
-each mile was marked with a sign and a yellow balloon
-lots of hydration stops. Water and Powerade in separate paper cups, and at tables with signs.
-Ice, sponges, gels, oranges and bananas
-Spectators! All access points to the course had people with signs, ready to slap high fives. The areas in town had bacon stops, donuts, beer (non supported food) Lots of energy.
-MarathonFoto on course, more photographers near the end
-Port-o-potties on the course
-Views of Lake Superior
-3 clocks on the course
-Volunteers, they were at every intersection and very energetic.
-Road closed to traffic, entire width of road to run on. Open for 7 hours

Finish: This was marked with an arch and timing clock. The announcer was catching names as people finished. Each side was lined with spectators. Once you cross the finish line there was a volunteer with a medal and a bottle of water. Then you went to get your gender specific finisher’s shirt and a beverage ticket. From here you had to continue walking to get a heat sheet, then grab your gear bag. Then you could proceed to the finisher’s food: strawberries, yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate milk, apples, bananas, oranges, bagels, nut rolls. Once through this area there was an alphabetized reunion area, or you could go to the beer tent to redeem your drink ticket. The beer tent area also had live music and a video set up to view finishers. There was a results tent, merchandise tent and coffee tent.

Overall: I love this race, the views, the spectators, the flat course. It would be a great first marathon.

Check out my blog for lots more pictures and my personal journey https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/grandmas-marathon-2015/

Link to this review