June 20, 2026 · Two Harbors → Duluth

Grandma's Marathon Training Plan 2026

A scenic point-to-point course along Lake Superior with 128 feet of net downhill — but the lake's headwinds and isolated stretches between miles 6–18 break unprepared runners. Get a personalized training plan built for Grandma's unique challenges.

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Grandma's Course at a Glance

Date June 20, 2026

Course Point-to-point

Elevation gain 557 ft

Elevation loss 685 ft

Net descent −128 ft (downhill)

Temp range 45–75°F (historical)

Key challenge Lake Superior headwind

BQ rate ~16–20% of finishers

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Mile-by-Mile Breakdown

Know every mile before you run it

Each segment of the Grandma's course demands a different strategy. Here's what your plan prepares you for.

Miles 1–4

410→420→380 ft ▲▼

Easy Descent

Two Harbors Start

Gentle descent from Two Harbors with scenic views. The net downhill and cool morning air tempt you to go out fast. Don't. The wind awaits, and early speed costs double when you're exposed. Your plan: 10–15 sec/mi slower than goal pace.

Miles 5–9

380→300 ft ▼ rolling

Isolation

Lester Park Road

Rolling terrain through isolated stretches of the North Shore. Crowds are sparse, and you're largely alone with the road and the lake. Settle into rhythm and conserve mental energy — you'll need it when the wind picks up.

Miles 10–13
300→260 ft ▼ gentle
Wind Zone
Scenic Highway — Lake Superior Views
Stunning Lake Superior views come with a price: full wind exposure. This is where Grandma's Marathon gets real. Headwinds off the lake can cost 15–20 sec/mi. Don't fight it — adjust effort, not pace.
Lake Superior Headwind
Mi 10–13 · exposed shoreline
Tuck behind other runners. Draft whenever possible. Maintain effort, accept slower splits.
Halfway Mental Check
Mi 13.1 · halfway point
If your halfway time is within 90 seconds of target despite wind, you're perfectly positioned.

Miles 14–18

260→210 ft ▼ gradual

Crowd Returns

London Road

Suburban running with increasing crowd support. The famous 'yard parties' begin — residents set up music, food, and cheering stations in their front yards. Use this energy but maintain your rhythm. Fuel aggressively here.

Miles 19–22
210→150 ft ▼ gentle
Wind & Fatigue
Lakewalk
Back to wind exposure along the Lakewalk with accumulating fatigue. The combination of 18 miles in your legs and Lake Superior headwind is the defining challenge. This is where Grandma's breaks runners. Stay compact, stay focused.
Lakewalk Exposure
Mi 19–21 · exposed path
Wind + fatigue compound. Shorten stride, increase cadence, and stay low.
Final Wind Stretch
Mi 21–22 · turning inland
The wind eases as you turn toward downtown. Relief is coming.

Miles 23–26.2

150→100 ft ▼

Grandma's Finish

Downtown Duluth & Canal Park

The wind drops as you enter downtown Duluth. Canal Park crowds are electric. If you managed the wind and paced the isolation correctly, this is your reward — a downhill finish with massive crowd energy. Let the hill carry you to Grandma's.

Pacing Strategy

How to race a point-to-point course with headwind

The net downhill helps, but Lake Superior's headwind erases much of that advantage. Here's the data-driven approach for a 3:15 goal.

Segment	Pace/mi	Strategy
Miles 1–4	7:30–7:35	Gentle descent — conservative start, save fuel for the wind.
Miles 5–13	7:25–7:40	Accept variable splits. Wind sections may be 15+ sec/mi slower.
Miles 14–18	7:20–7:30	Crowd energy on London Road. Steady pace with wind shelter.
Miles 19–26.2	7:20–7:35	Wind section then downhill finish. Effort-based through Lakewalk.

Wind Warning

A 10 mph headwind costs ~15 sec/mi of additional effort. Runners who maintain pace into the wind instead of maintaining effort average 5+ minutes slower in the final 10K. Race the effort, not the clock.

Point-to-Point Advantage

The 128 ft net descent means gravity is on your side — but only if you don't waste the advantage fighting wind in the middle miles. Smart runners save 60–90 seconds by drafting through the wind zone and accelerating in the sheltered final miles.

Get custom splits for your goal time and the Grandma's course profile

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Your Grandma's Plan Includes

Everything a generic plan leaves out

Lake Superior's headwind changes everything about this course. Here's what makes this plan different.

📅

12–18 Week Schedule

Complete weekly training with progressive mileage, quality sessions, rest days, and cross-training. Periodized into base, build, peak, and taper phases.

💨

Wind Training

Structured training runs on exposed, windy routes. Drafting practice, effort-based pacing in headwinds, and mental training for isolated stretches where you're battling wind alone.

🌡️

June Heat Preparation

Heat acclimation protocol for potential June warmth. Lake Superior moderates temps, but inland sections can be warm. Includes heat-adjusted pacing tables and hydration strategy.

❤️

Heart Rate Zones

Five personalized training zones. Effort-based racing is essential when wind makes pace meaningless. Every workout has HR targets for consistent effort.

⚡

Mile-by-Mile Race Plan

Course-adjusted effort targets, fueling schedule, aid station strategy, mental cues for isolated stretches, and wind contingency adjustments.

🧠

Isolation Mental Training

Miles 6–18 are sparse on crowds. Your plan includes mental toughness techniques for isolated stretches — segmenting, process focus, and visualization practice.

Grandma's Weather

June on Lake Superior — beautiful but variable

Grandma's in late June can range from ideal 50°F to challenging 75°F. Lake Superior moderates coastal temps, but conditions can shift quickly. Your plan covers every scenario.

✓ Cool

45–55°F

Ideal racing weather. Lake Superior keeps coastal temps cool. Light layers at the start, singlet by mile 5. Best conditions for a PR.

☀️ Mild

55–65°F

Common June conditions. Still very runnable. Increase fluid intake slightly. Sun exposure on the Scenic Highway section can add perceived heat.

⚠ Warm

65–75°F

June heat can surprise. Slow goal pace 2–3%. Aggressive hydration at every aid station. Heat acclimation training is essential for this scenario.

💨 Windy

15+ mph

Lake Superior headwinds are the defining challenge. Draft behind groups on exposed sections. Accept 15–20 sec/mi slower in wind zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grandma's Marathon FAQ

How bad is the wind at Grandma's? +

Lake Superior headwinds are the defining challenge of the race. Winds of 10–15 mph off the lake are common, especially on the exposed Scenic Highway (miles 10–13) and Lakewalk (miles 19–22) sections. A 10 mph headwind costs approximately 15 sec/mi of additional effort. Your plan includes wind-specific training and race-day drafting strategies to manage this challenge.

Is Grandma's a good BQ course? +

Excellent — 16–20% of finishers achieve Boston qualifying times. The net downhill profile, cool June weather, and well-organized event make it one of the best BQ opportunities in the country. The key is managing the wind sections wisely and not wasting energy fighting headwinds in the middle miles.

How do I handle the isolated stretches? +

Miles 5–13 have sparse crowd support, and you're largely running alone on the North Shore. Your plan includes mental training techniques for these stretches: process-focused mantras, segmenting strategies, and practice long runs on isolated routes. Runners who prepare mentally for the isolation handle it much better than those surprised by it.

What about June heat? +

Lake Superior moderates coastal temperatures, keeping most race days between 50–65°F. However, June can occasionally bring 70°F+ conditions. Your plan includes a heat acclimation protocol starting 10–14 days before the race, heat-adjusted pacing tables, and an aggressive hydration strategy for warm conditions.

How does the point-to-point logistics work? +

Buses transport runners from Duluth to the Two Harbors start line early race morning. Your plan includes logistics guidance: what to bring on the bus, warm-up routine at the start, and throwaway clothing strategy for the potentially cool start at Two Harbors.

How many weeks should I train for Grandma's? +

16–18 weeks is ideal. If you're already at 30+ miles/week, 12 weeks works. Begin wind-specific training and heat acclimation planning at least 8 weeks out — late April at the latest for the June 20 race. Our plan auto-adjusts the timeline based on when you start.

Grandma's Marathon Training Plan 2026

Net downhill with rolling terrain — and relentless wind

Know every mile before you run it

How to race a point-to-point course with headwind

Everything a generic plan leaves out

12–18 Week Schedule

Wind Training

June Heat Preparation

Heart Rate Zones

Mile-by-Mile Race Plan

Isolation Mental Training

June on Lake Superior — beautiful but variable

Build your Grandma's-specific training plan

Grandma's Marathon FAQ

Complement your training plan

Grandma's Pacing Calculator

Fueling Calculator

Race Time Predictor

Carb Loading Planner

Heat Acclimation

Beginner's Guide

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