Grandma‘s Marathon in Duluth sells out in record time

While Grandma’s Marathon runners are striving for a personal record — also known as a PR — the race itself achieved a PR by selling out on Wednesday, the fastest time in its 49-year history.

The 26.2-mile race reached registration capacity nearly two months earlier than the last record-setting sellout for the 2016 event. That was the race’s 40th anniversary, and it filled up on Dec. 31, 2015.

Registration opened on Oct. 1, and race organizers say registration for the half-marathon and 5K races sold out within days.

“It’s a humbling thing, and it speaks volumes about the work, care, and passion our entire community puts into our race weekend,” marketing director Zach Schneider said in a statement.

The Duluth marathon’s capacity is about 9,000 runners, although an additional 500 will participate in race challenges through the weekend and run multiple races, and others will join through fundraising and other options.

Although the races are sold out, there are still ways to participate. Runners can register through a charity partner and raise money, they can register with the official training group or they can transfer entries if a registered runner is injured or can’t participate.

Grandma’s Marathon weekend is scheduled for June 19-21, 2025. Organizers expect more than 22,000 total people to participate.

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