Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

The expo is one of the first stops for our 20,000 participants on their trip to Duluth. Welcome them to town and direct them and their guests as they enter the Essentia Health and Fitness Expo. Volunteers will help check runner's ID's so they can receive beer in the post-race area. Volunteers will check ID's and wristband runners.

FOR SAFETY REASONS, WE CANNOT ALLOW VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 IN THIS POSITION.

The expo is located inside the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC). Please note that parking at the DECC is $10 per day.

Sign Up online here. 

William A Irvin 5K- Start Corral

Help Kick off Grandma’s Marathon weekend with the William A Irvin 5K. Volunteers will regulate access to the start corrals and keep participants organized as they move toward the start line. Once all participants have crossed the start line, volunteers will assist with start line tear down and course marshaling.    

William A Irvin 5K- Course Marshal

Help kick off Grandma’s Marathon weekend with the William A Irvin 5K. From the time the course is closed to traffic until it is reopened, your job is to keep unauthorized vehicles, spectators, bikes, etc. off the course and make sure runners understand they are going the right way. This job does not require you to stand for the duration of your shift. You are welcome to bring a chair.  

William A Irvin 5K- Clean Up Crew

Help Kick off Grandma’s Marathon weekend with the William A Irvin 5K. Volunteers are needed to help clean up from the William A Irvin 5K and transition supplies and equipment, so Bayfront is ready for Saturday activities. This job does require volunteers to be able to lift up to 20lbs.  

Sign up online here- or email alivia@grandmasmarathon.com

Volunteers are needed to help hand out water to our over 18,000 runners on race day. Volunteers will help set up tables, pour water and Powerade, clean up after the runners, and assist with the breakdown of the water station. This is a great volunteer position for groups, families, and children. *Children must be supervised by an adult.  

Volunteers are needed at the following water stations 

Mile 3-5:30 am-9:00 am, Volunteers will access the Mile 3 Water Station at Larsmont Rd and then go west to reach the water station.

Mile 9- 6:15 am- 11:15 am, Volunteers will access the Mile 9 Water Station at Homestead Rd and then go west approximately one block.
Mile 11- 6:45 am - 11:15 am, Volunteers will access the Mile 11 Water Station at Homestead Rd and then go two miles west.

Mile 15- 5:00 am-12 pm, Volunteers will access the Mile 15 Water Station at Lakewood Rd and then go one mile east.

Mile 20- 6:00 am-2:00 pm, Mile 20 is on London Road between 47th Ave E and 51st Ave E. Please take Superior Street and take a right onto McColloch Street to find parking.

Mile 23- 5:45 am-2:30 pm, The Mile 23 Water Station is located on London Road between 19th Ave E and 20th Ave E. Parking is available above London Rd. Please observe parking ordinances and be courteous to the residents

Mile 24-6:00 am-10:00 am or 10:00 am-3:00 pm, The Mile 24 Water Station is located at Fitger’s (600 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802). Please access the station from a side street, as Superior Street will be closed for the race. Parking is available downtown on side streets. Please be mindful of parking restrictions and time limits. If you do park at Fitger’s or in the Pickwick lot, please remember that you will not be able to leave until the race is over.

Mile 25-6:00 am-10:00 am or 10:00 am-3:00 pm, Mile 25 is located along the racecourse between 4th and 5th Ave West on Superior Street, in front of the Maurices Building. There are several nearby parking lots and ramps between 1-3 blocks away from the water station. Street parking is also available above Superior Street. Parking fees may apply.  

Sign up online here.

Medical volunteers are a vital part of making sure our participants have a safe and enjoyable race weekend. Grandma's Marathon prides itself on having a medical volunteer at every mile marker along the course as well as 6 medical tents on the race course and a large medical operation at the finish line. 

Grandma’s Marathon is looking for advanced practitioners, RN's, AT's and PT's and General Medical volunteers to help take care of our runners on the racecourse as well as at the finish line in Canal Park. Please be sure to indicate the certifications and qualifications below when signing up. Our medical leadership team will be in touch about exact roles as race day gets closer.

Students can sign up for this shift. Please make sure to indicate during sign-up what your experience is. 

General Medical volunteers just need to be CPR and First Aid certified.

Sign up online here. 

Finish Line- Green Team

Grandma’s Marathon is proud to put on a sustainable event year after year that has a positive impact on our community. Green team volunteers are needed to monitor the recycling, compost, and trash locations to ensure waste is properly disposed of in the correct containers.

Prior knowledge of composting and recycling is not required. Anyone who wants to help us make the earth a better place is welcome! Instructions and training will be provided when you arrive.

Being a Green Team volunteer is extremely rewarding, as so many runners and spectators want to do the right thing and appreciate your help and guidance. These volunteers receive many smiles and thank you’s.

Sign Up online here

As a Course Marshal, your job includes directing runners to stay on course and maintaining a safe environment for runners by keeping cars and bikes off the course. You'll have a front-row seat (literally) of the race and plenty of opportunities to cheer! 

Volunteers are encouraged to bring a chair, snacks, sunscreen, etc., and anything else they think they would need to have a comfortable shift. Volunteers will receive the exact locations within this area from the Grandma's Marathon Office in the weeks leading up to the race. Additional instructions on where to park, what location to report to, etc. Will be sent out prior to race day.

Sign up online here. 

Grandma's Marathon began in 1977 when a group of local runners planned a scenic road race from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota. There were just 150 participants that year, but organizers knew they had discovered something special. Grandma's Marathon, Inc., is now a self-governed non-profit organization with an active board of directors. Grandma's Marathon draws more than 18,000 participants for its three-race event each June. It also hosts several other running events throughout the year in support of the Young Athletes Foundation - the organization's philanthropic arm - and to be a continued leader in Duluth's healthy running culture.

Interested candidates should fill out this form and members of the board's nominating committee will be in touch with further details. 

Help Grandma's Marathon and the Young Athletes Foundation kick off spring training with the Fitger's 5K on Saturday, April 18, 2026.  Volunteers are needed to help with race set up, course marshaling, start line corrals, and at the finish line.

These races help fund the Young Athletes Foundation's programming in the community, such as; free races for youth 18 and under, free running shoes for high school athletes, and a grant program for youth athletic programs. 

Interested volunteers should email Alivia@grandmasmarathon.com or call 218-727-0947.

Grandma's Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains committed to making our race weekend a success. Volunteer captains and key volunteers are responsible for many areas of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner hospitality, working with course marshals, start & finish line areas, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, and much more.

If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma's Marathon or special events, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at alivia@grandmasmarathon.com to inquire about being a volunteer captain.

Finish Line Food Captain

Role Summary: Oversee the distribution of food to to Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Finisher and Grandma’s Marathon Finishers on race day.

·       Volunteers

o   Assist in recruiting volunteers to hand our food

o   Communicate regularly with Program Director about volunteer recruitment numbers and needs. Program Director will supplement volunteers, if needed

o   Connect with recruited volunteers to provide information about their shift.

o   Manage volunteers on race morning including check in, giving instructions, etc.

o   Identify and assign area leaders from race day volunteers as needed 

·       Attend 2 finish line captain meetings in April and June and wrap up meeting in July/August

·       Attend Friday evening finish area walk through (if possible) to be aware of any last-minute updates and meet other captains

·       Assess and communicate equipment needs to office

·       Race Day

o   Check in with marathon staff and begin setting up station

o   Arrive approximately 1 hour before volunteers arrive to begin setting up t-shirts

o   Be the point of contact for volunteers, vendors, and the marathon office at your finish line station

·       Provide feedback about improvements that can be made in future years.

2026 Grandma’s Marathon Volunteer Captain Openings

Grandma's Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains committed to making our race weekend a success. Volunteer captains and key volunteers are responsible for many areas of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner hospitality, working with course marshals, start & finish line areas, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, and much more.

If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma's Marathon or special events, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at alivia@grandmasmarathon.com to inquire about being a volunteer captain.

Finish Line Heatsheet Captain

Role Summary: Oversee the distribution of heatsheets to Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Finisher and Grandma’s Marathon Finishers on race day.

·       Volunteers

o   Assist in recruiting volunteers to hand our heatsheets

o   Communicate regularly with Program Director about volunteer recruitment numbers and needs. Program Director will supplement volunteers, if needed

o   Connect with recruited volunteers to provide information about their shift.

o   Manage volunteers on race morning including check in, giving instructions, etc.

o   Identify and assign area leaders from race day volunteers as needed 

·       Attend 2 finish line captain meetings in April and June and wrap up meeting in July/August

·       Attend Friday evening finish area walk through (if possible) to be aware of any last-minute updates and meet other captains

·       Assess and communicate equipment needs to office

·       Race Day

o   Check in with marathon staff and begin setting up station

o   Arrive approximately 1 hour before volunteers arrive to begin setting up  

o   Be the point of contact for volunteers, additional vendors, and the marathon office at your finish line station

·       Provide feedback about improvements that can be made in future years.

Grandma's Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains committed to making our race weekend a success. Volunteer captains and key volunteers are responsible for many areas of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner hospitality, working with course marshals, start & finish line areas, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, and much more.

If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma's Marathon or special events, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at alivia@grandmasmarathon.com to inquire about being a volunteer captain.

Course Marshal Captains- William A Irvin 5K

Role Summary: Oversee a section of the William A Irvin 5K course on Friday of Race Weekend to ensure participant and spectator safety and assist with course set-up/clean up. Provide direction and support to your section course marshals and communicate with Grandma’s Marathon staff & race officials.

·       Assist in recruiting a few volunteers to help in your racecourse section

·       Attend one racecourse captain meeting in April/May for position orientation

·       Pick up and distribute volunteer supplies (T-shirts, safety vests, traffic flags) as needed

·       Drive/bike/walk your racecourse section ahead of the event to familiarize yourself

·       Reach out to section volunteers ahead of race day to introduce yourself and provide contact information

·       Race Day

o   Check in with all course marshal volunteers in your section pre-race and throughout the day (a bike is recommended for course marshal captains only). Be point of contact, answer questions, provide coverage for breaks, etc.

o   Coordinate with other volunteer groups in your section (such as water stations, course entertainers or medical)

o   Serve as a key point of contact on the racecourse, communicating needs or concerns to Grandma’s Marathon staff and helping to troubleshoot if necessary.

o   Cheer on runners, and assist with opening the racecourse safely as the end of the race reaches your section.

·       Provide feedback about improvements that can be made in future years.

Grandma's Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains committed to making our race weekend a success. Volunteer captains and key volunteers are responsible for many areas of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner hospitality, working with course marshals, start & finish line areas, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, and much more.

If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma's Marathon or special events, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at alivia@grandmasmarathon.com to inquire about being a volunteer captain.

Final Finisher Captain

Role Summary: Help ensure that our last finishers have the same amazing experience as the first. This role will coordinate obtaining refreshments & supplies from other finish line captains and distributing to final finishers as they cross the line.

Grandma's Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains committed to making our race weekend a success. Volunteer captains and key volunteers are responsible for many areas of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner hospitality, working with course marshals, start & finish line areas, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, and much more.

If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma's Marathon or special events, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at alivia@grandmasmarathon.com to inquire about being a volunteer captain.

Course Marshal Captains

Role Summary: Oversee a section of the Grandma’s Marathon racecourse to ensure participant and spectator safety and assist with course set-up/clean up. Provide direction and support to your section course marshals and communicate with Grandma’s Marathon staff & race officials.