03 About

06 Start

08 Transportation

11 Gear Bags

12 Racecourse

13 Finish

14 William A. Irvin 5K

15 Whipper Snapper Races

16 Packet Pickup

17 Expo

18 Spaghetti Dinner

19 Post-Race Celebration

21 Spectators

22 Viewing Options

23 Elite Athletes & Wheelchair

24 Media

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Since its inception in 1977, the mission of Grandma’s Marathon has been to organize, promote, and deliver annual events and programs that cultivate running, education, social, and charitable opportunities in our community.

WE BELIEVE outdoor running events can be made as safe as possible, under the current circumstances, by maximizing the space and resources available.

WE BELIEVE in crowd science and the math behind social distancing.

WE BELIEVE the current circumstances present a great opportunity to educate and inform others of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

WE BELIEVE our team can successfully execute a modified race weekend in partnership with our local, regional, and statewide health and medical professionals.

ABOUT GRANDMA’S MARATHON

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The Ready to Run Pledge is a social contract that all participants, attendees, volunteers, vendors, and staff will agree to for the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

This pledge is an acknowledgement of personal responsibility, communal respect, and commitment to health and safety. Grandma’s Marathon is a community event, and our approach to keeping everyone as safe as possible must also be a community effort.

All Event Attendees Will Pledge To:

Follow all current and existing guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Stay home and away from others if experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 prior to the event

Respect the space of others by maintaining appropriate social distance, and use caution when around large groups during the entirety of the event

Follow all instructions from event staff and volunteers

NOTE: COVID-19 vaccinations will not be required for Grandma’s Marathon participants, volunteers, or attendees, but everyone is strongly encouraged to follow the current MDH and CDC recommendations. Masks or face coverings and appropriate social distancing are strongly encouraged throughout the event, regardless of vaccination status.

READY TO RUN PLEDGE

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This document details the most up-to-date information for the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend and is based on the most recent guidance issued by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Though no longer required in most areas by state mandate or city ordinance, masks and face coverings are strongly encouraged at all times during race weekend. We ask that everyone involved with the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend use caution, act responsibly, and be respectful of others.

Below is a summary of the changes to the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend that are further detailed in this document:

Reduced Field Sizes• Grandma’s Marathon – 4,000• Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon – 4,000• William A. Irvin 5K – 1,500

Operational Changes• Rolling Start Process• Reduced Density

Ancillary Events• Packet Pickup• Essentia Health Fitness Expo• Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner• Post-Race Celebration

Viewing Modifications• Spectator Recommendations• Virtual Viewing Options

PLAN SUMMARY

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The start process for the three 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend races will feature key operational changes in an effort to maintain appropriate social distance between participants in the start area, on the racecourse, and in the finish area.

Our staff has worked closely with world-renowned crowd scientist Marcel Altenburg and his company, Start Right, to develop a modified rolling start process.

Rolling Start Process

• Participants will arrive at start area in a staggered fashion via provided shuttle bus or train transportation.

• All participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while in the start area. The corrals will have enough space for appropriate social distancing.

NOTE: To see video examples of the planned rolling start process, please click here.

2019 Start Line Density

2021 Projected Start Line Density

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START LINE

• Participants, as directed by event staff and volunteers, will move progressively through the start area(s) in a controlled fashion. This will be a walking pace toward the start line, and participants will never be stationary for an extended period of time.

• Near the start line(s), participants will be separated into five separate lanes. Staying appropriately spaced within those lanes, participants will follow the person in front of them and start their race(s).

• Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are chip-timed events, meaning each participant’s time will not start until they cross the start line.

• Toilets will be available throughout the start area(s), which is about 2/3 mile long. There will be limited space for stretching but no space for extensive warmups (jogging, runouts, etc.).

NOTE: There will be no gear bag drop-off service at the start line of the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Please make arrangements to drop you gear bag before leaving for the start line. See page 11 for specific drop-off times and locations.

START LINE

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2021 Projected Rolling Start Model

• All Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon participants are required to use the provided bus or train transportation to the start line on race day. Masks or face coverings will be required while on the bus, and each bus will be limited to 35 riders.

• Buses to the start line(s) will depart Saturday morning for participants only from the following locations:

TRANSPORTATION

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• The DECC and Miller Hill Mall are traditionally our busiest shuttle bus locations. Please allow yourself extra time if planning to use one of these locations on race morning.

• If you plan on running competitively or with a faster goal time, please plan on arriving early to your busing location. If you plan on running with a slower goal time, please plan on arriving toward the end of the departure window. This will assist in reducing the density of participants throughout the racecourse.

Pickup Locations Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Grandma’s Marathon

DECC (Main Parking Lot) 4:45-5:30 a.m. 6:30-7:15 a.m.

UMD Campus (Kirby Drive) 4:45-5:30 a.m. 6:30-7:15 a.m.

Miller Hill Mall (near Dick’s Sporting Goods) 4:45-5:30 a.m. 6:30-7:15 a.m.

Proctor (Best Western Plus) 4:45-5:15 a.m. 6:30-7:00 a.m.

Superior (Bong Historical Center) 4:45-5:30 a.m. 6:30-7:15 a.m.

Two Harbors (Super One Foods) 5:00-5:30 a.m. 5:30-6:10 a.m.

• Full marathon participants may also take the North Shore Scenic Railroad to the start line. Masks or face coverings will be required while on the train, and space on the train will be limited.

• This option is available on a first-come, first-served basis on race morning.

• Those interested in this option should arrive at the DECC parking lot between 5:30 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. on race morning.

TRANSPORTATION

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NOTE: Using official transportation is the ONLY way to guarantee arriving at the start line on time. Participants must have their official race bib visible to board a bus or the train. For the safety of all involved and to reduce traffic and density at the start line, absolutely no individual drop-offs will be allowed.

• Return shuttle bus service will be provided for participants, family, and friends on race day. Masks or face coverings will be required while on the bus, and each bus will be limited to 35 riders.

• Return buses will be located in the Bayfront Festival Park parking lot and will load continuously throughout race day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Buses will be marked as shown below and will return riders to any of the listed locations:

TRANSPORTATION

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Buses Marked Return Locations

UMD / CSS University of Minnesota Duluth, St. Scholastica

Miller Hill Mall Miller Hill Mall

West Duluth / Proctor / Spirit Mountain

Motel 6, Comfort Inn-West, Super 8, AmericInn, Best Western Plus – Spirit Mountain, America’s Best Value Inn – Spirit Mountain

Edgewater / Fitger’s Edgewater Hotel, Days Inn Lakewalk, Fitger’s Inn, Voyageur Lakewalk Inn, Sheraton Hotel

Superior UW-Superior, Superior Inn, Best Western – Bridgeview, Holiday Inn Express, Barker’s Island Inn, Hampton Inn

Two Harbors (will return on the hour)

Super One Foods, Superior Shores Resort, Country Inn, Larsmont Cottages, AmericInn

• There is no gear bag drop-off allowed at the start line(s) for the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

• Participants will receive an official, clear plastic gear bag at packet pickup. Unofficial gear bags (including backpacks) are not permitted and will not be accepted. Official gear bags can be dropped off at the following times and locations prior to going to the start line for your race:

GEAR BAG SERVICE

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Thursday, June 17 – 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

DECC Arena – 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth MN

Friday, June 18 – 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

DECC Arena – 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth MN

Finish Area Tent – Canal Park (between Buchanan Street & Morse Street)

• Please plan to dress in warm layers on race morning. Clothes can be discarded in the start area and our partners, Goodwill–Duluth, will reuse or recycle all items left by participants.

• Your gear bag will be available for pickup in the finish area tent following the completion of your race.

NOTE: Participants are discouraged from leaving valuables or necessary medication in a gear bag. Grandma’s Marathon is not responsible for any lost or damaged items. All bags are subject to inspection.

• Participants will not be required to wear a mask or face covering while actively running their race.

• Participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and maintain appropriate social distance at all other times on race day, including in the start and finish areas.

• Participants can expect to have at least 20 feet of space available to them at most points on the racecourse. Please be respectful of others and maintain appropriate social distance when possible.

• There will be no pace groups for any of the 2021 events.

• Water and Powerade will be available in cups and bottles at aid stations throughout the racecourse. Participants may carry their own fluids using handheld bottles, hydration vests, etc., and non-contact refill stations will be available.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while distributing food and/fluids or while interacting closely with participants. 12

THE RACECOURSE

• Participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and maintain appropriate social distance after completing their race and while in the secure runner recovery area.

• A one-way traffic flow will push participants through the runner recovery area. Finisher medals, space blankets, and runner recovery food and beverages will be distributed in a reduced touchpoint format.

• For participants who dropped off a gear bag prior to the race, those will be available for pickup in the finish line area.

• There will be no post-race massage therapy or changing tents. Toilets will be provided in select areas so as to not disrupt the flow of participants through the secure area.

NOTE: Finisher shirts will be distributed to participants prior to the race at packet pickup. This will be a one-year only change to reduce the number of touchpoints in the finish area after the race.

FINISH LINE

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WILLIAM A. IRVIN 5KWhen: Friday, June 18 | 6:00 p.m.Where: Bayfront Festival Park

• Participants will not be required to wear a mask or face covering while actively running their race.

• Participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and maintain appropriate social distance at all other times on race day, including in the start and finish areas.

• The William A. Irvin 5K will start and finish this year at Bayfront Festival Park and will use a modified, rolling start process to help reduce density on the racecourse.

• Bayfront Festival Park will remain open to the public until 10:00 p.m., and Boxcar will play live music from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (free admission).

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while distributing food and/fluids or while interacting closely with participants.

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WHIPPER SNAPPER RACES

When: Friday, June 18 | 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Where: Bayfront Festival ParkAges: 14 & Under (FREE)

• Participants and their family members are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance during this event.

• Participants can register online at grandmasmarathon.com through June 17 or upon arrival. Participants and their families can access the course at Bayfront Festival Park anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

• Participants can choose between pre-marked courses of different distances, depending on age and skill level. Courses of 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters will be marked.

• All post-race giveaways will be pre-packaged and available for self-serve “grab-and-go.”

• There will be no official mascot race, although various mascots may be present and available for photos.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while distributing food and/fluids or while interacting closely with participants.

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PACKET PICKUP

When: Thursday, June 17 | 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Where: Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center (DECC) Friday, June 18 | 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Arena & Paulucci Hall – 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

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• By using the DECC Arena and Paulucci Hall for this year’s packet pickup, the event’s square footage increases from approximately 8,000 to over 25,000.

• All visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance throughout this event.

• Traffic flow throughout the DECC campus has been modified to mostly one-way and includes just one entrance and exit point.

• Finisher shirts will be distributed to participants at time of packet pickup. This will be a one-year only change to reduce the number of touchpoints in the finish area after the race.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while interacting closely with participants.

ESSENTIA HEALTH FITNESS EXPOWhen: Thursday, June 17 | 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Friday, June 18 | 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.Where: Duluth Entertainment & Convention

Center (DECC) Arena & Pioneer Hall350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

Cost: FREE (Open to Public)

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• By using both the DECC Arena and Pioneer Hall for this year’s expo, the event’s square footage increases from approximately 24,000 to over 53,000.

• All visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance throughout this event.

• A reduced number of vendors and a reconfigured floor layout allows adequate space for social distancing throughout the event.

• A virtual expo option with access to participating vendors will also be offered to participants and the public.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while interacting closely with the public.

When: Friday, June 18 | 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.Where: Lake Superior Ballroom

350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802Cost: $14 adults, $7 kids (ages 5-12), FREE (ages 4 & under)

MICHELINA’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER

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• All patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance throughout this event.

• Tables will be limited to a maximum capacity of 10 and will be sanitized between uses, based on expected state guidelines.

• Participants can purchase advance tickets for themselves and for friends and family. For all other patrons, tickets will be available at the door.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while distributing food and/fluids or while interacting closely with participants.

FOOD MENUAll-you-can-eat spaghetti w/ marinara sauce (choice of meatballs),

Country Hearth breads, Caesar salad

DRINK MENUDuluth Coffee Company coffee, Kemps milk, Dasani water

DESSERT MENUBen & Jerry’s ice cream, Super One cookies

• The post-race celebration for the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend will be moved from its traditional location in Canal Park to Bayfront Festival Park.

• Admission is free and open to all ages.

• Participants may redeem their free beverage ticket(s) at Bayfront Festival Park following their race.

• All patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance throughout this event.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while distributing food and/fluids or while interacting closely with participants.

POST-RACE CELEBRATION

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When: Saturday, June 19 | 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.Where: Bayfront Festival ParkCost: FREE (All Ages)

• Beverages will be provided by Superior Beverages and Coca Cola, and food will be provided by Famous Dave’s.

• Live music will be played throughout the day, starting at 9:00 a.m. A full lineup is below:

POST-RACE CELEBRATION

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2021 Grandma’s Marathon

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rock-a-Billy Revue

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Boxcar

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Big Wave Dave & The Ripples

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Whiskey Trail

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Big Wave Dave & The Ripples

• Music in between live acts throughout the event will be provided by Sounds Unlimited.

• Advantage Embroidery & Screen Printing will be on side selling Grandma’s Marathon merchandise.

• Spectators are welcome at all usual locations during the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

• Anyone attending any portion of the weekend is strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain appropriate social distance.

• Spectators will not be allowed in some race-controlled areas, including the start and finish areas as well as on the racecourse itself. Volunteers and staff will be monitoring these areas throughout the day.

• Some sightlines of the finish area from the sidewalk and surrounding businesses in Canal Park will still be obstructed and unavailable, but the public is welcome to watch the race from this usual area.

• Our staff urges anyone attending to please use caution, act responsibly, and be respectful of others.

NOTE: Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while interacting closely with the public.

SPECTATORS & SUPPORTERS

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VIEWING OPTIONS

Live WebcastLocal TV: n/a

Web Link: wdio.com

Live RadioLocal Radio: 106.5 FM & 560 AM

Web Link: northlandfan.com

Runner Tracking (Presented by ASICS)

• Track any participant’s real-time progress on race day with the Runner Tracker on the Grandma’s Marathon mobile app, available on Apple and Android.

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• Our 2021 Grandma’s Marathon elite field will be reduced from 150 to 50 athletes (men and women combined).

NOTE: There is no elite field or prize money for the 2021 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

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ELITE ATHLETES

• Our 2021 Grandma’s Marathon wheelchair field will be limited to 25 athletes.

NOTE: The wheelchair division will start five minutes before the runners at 7:40 a.m.

• All working and credentialed media members are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering and maintain appropriate social distance, especially when interacting with participants or members of the public.

• The Grandma’s Marathon Media Center will be located inside The Garden Event Center in Canal Park.

• The top three men’s and women’s finishers from Grandma’s Marathon will be made available in a post-race media conference. No interviews are allowed inside the finish line area.

• The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is a chip-timed only event this year, and winners will be announced after every participant has completed the race.

• To maintain adequate space for social distancing at the start and finish, each outlet may apply for one pass that will allow access inside the barricades in those areas. Outlets who feel they need more can contact Grandma’s Marathon directly, and those will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

• Credential request forms are available at grandmasmarathon.com and due back no later than June 1, 2021.

MEDIA

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