How Can I Get An Entry Into The Sold-Out 2026 Grandma's Marathon?

The trend of record-setting, speedy sellouts for Grandma's Marathon races continues. After the entry window opened on October 1, the 50th anniversary marathon that concludes in Duluth's Canal Park sold out in less than a day.

All three of the races - the full marathon, half marathon, and 5K - sold out for the 2026 race weekend in a matter of 12 hours, blowing away previous records for the amount of time it took for the races to sell out.

The popularity of the races along the shores of Lake Superior and finishing in Duluth has continued to grow since 2020, with each year seeing sellouts in faster fashion to the point where the whole weekend sold out in not days or weeks, but in less than a day.

If you were hoping to be part of Grandma's Marathon Weekend in June of 2026, the good news is that not all hope is lost!

While the traditional option of signing up, paying your entry fee, and participating isn't an option anymore for the 2026 event, there are lesser-known ways to still get an entry into the sold-out races.

How can I still get an entry into the sold-out 2026 Grandma's Marathon?

Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Besides an opportunity for entries through a new training group organized by the marathon, Grandma's Marathon has a Charity Partners program, which is a win-win for everyone involved.

The marathon has partnerships with several charitable organizations that cover a range of important causes. You can pick an organization that has an importance to you, raise some money for the cause, and earn an entry specifically reserved for runners supporting these charities.

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Each of the organizations has different fundraising tiers to earn an entry into the three different Grandma's Marathon Weekend races. Meeting (or exceeding) your fundraising goal by the deadline will get you an entry into your desired race while helping out the cause!

Many of the charitable organizations also offer additional charity runner perks specific to the organization. Animal Allies, for example, offers a goodie bag, an exclusive shelter tour, and the opportunity to name a shelter pet.

What charities are part of the Grandma's Marathon Charity Partners Program?

Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Here's a look at some of the local and regional charities that are part of this program:

Animal Allies
CHUM
Northern Lights Foundation
Montgomery Sports Foundation
Head of the Lakes United Way
PAVSA
Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center
Union Gospel Mission
Brightwater Health
Duluth Community Garden Program
Duluth Community School Collaborative
Duluth Lions Club
Mentor North
Ronald McDonald House Charities

The list also includes other regional and national charities like the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics of Minnesota, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

In order to join one of these charity teams, you need to reach out to an organization representative. You can see the full list of charity partners and find the contact information for them on the Grandma's Marathon Charity Partners page on their website.

Grandma's Marathon Weekend 2026 is June 19 and 20, with the 5K in Duluth on Friday, June 19, and the half and full marathon on Saturday, June 20.

See you there! Here's a look back at last year's races.

2025 Grandma's Marathon & Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Photos

After strong thunderstorms overnight, this year's races started a half hour later than originally scheduled. While some clouds and fog kept things relatively cool early in the races, humidity and warmer temperatures quickly took hold with the full marathon underway.

Despite that, history was made with the first American winning Grandma's Marathon since 2009. He is also the first person to have ever won both Garry Bjorklnd Half Marathon (which he did in 2023) and Grandma's Marathon this year.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Source: Lesser-Known Ways To Still Get An Entry Into The Sold-Out 2026 Grandma’s Marathon