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Thousands of racers are making final preparations before the three races for the annual Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. Organizer Zach Schneider said this year is the largest amount of registrations they’ve seen. 

“Last year we had over 17,500 hit the finish line. We expect, with the registration numbers, that will top that this year by a couple hundred,” he said.

Some runners participate in both the 5k, which took place at 1 p.m. Friday, as well as the half-marathon or full-marathon on Saturday morning. The marathon route meanders along the North Shore on highway 61 from Two Harbors to Duluth. Despite storms overnight Thursday and into Friday, everything is on track according to Schneider. 

“The start of the races might be a little wet,” he said. 

The biggest issue will likely be traffic in the area because of construction, Schneider said.  

With 23,000 runners registered and family, friends, and supporters for each of those runners, Schneider said they’re expecting Duluth to be a pretty full house.

“All told, we’re talking about between 50 and 60,000 people that are going to be part of this thing,” he said.

The concern that lower air quality from wildfires in Canada impacting the race is small, according to Schneider. He said that they’re working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to monitor any threats. With constant weather variables and cooler conditions for our northern neighbors, that threat is now “minimal.” 

To listen to the full interview with Grandma’s Marathon organizer Zach Schneider, click the player above.

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Duluth may host over 50,000 extra people in its city, all for the annual Grandma’s Marathon. 

Biggest turnout ever expected for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth

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