Two more kids followed before Shannon got back to running marathons. At 29 she completed Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth and did it three more times before her first child came along. Her goal was to run a marathon before she turned 30. “Boston eventually became a bucket list item for me, but I had to work toward it. As motivation I signed up for a race being held in Willmar, and I fell in love with it,” Shannon said.

“I started running in my late twenties as a way to get a little more exercise. She’s one of only 10 percent of all marathoners who will ever get to compete in this prestigious race. When OB-GYN nurse practitioner Shannon Elton first began running, she never dreamed she’d be one of the 27,165 runners at the 2015 Boston Marathon. Imagine running through the streets of Boston as crowds cheer you on and after 26.2 miles you cross the finish line, victorious and proud. So get ready to once again tie up your laces for another year of memories, miles, and human might.It’s the stuff dreams are made of-a runner’s dream at least.

Since our inaugural race in 1977, Grandma’s Marathon has grown into something much bigger than just a 26.2-mile race along the scenic North Shore of Minnesota. The opening salvo to race day, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is now arguably the most popular event on Grandma’s Marathon weekend. This 3.1-mile race on Friday evening starts and finishes near the historic William A. The kickoff event to Grandma’s Marathon weekend since its start in 1994, is the William A Irvin 5K. It’s a time that our city and community throws open its doors to welcome participants from all over the world and introduce them to our race and way of life in northern Minnesota. In what’s become the largest community event of each calendar year, Grandma’s Marathon weekend has now become the unofficial kickoff to summer in Duluth and the surrounding region. Use the app to track your favorite runners in the Marathon and Half Marathon and for all event details, race information, course maps and key updates to keep you informed for the 2023 Grandma's Marathon weekend! Welcome to the official mobile app of Grandma's Marathon Weekend, June 16-17, 2023.

Download grandma's marathon course