Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

Help Grandma's Marathon and the Young Athletes Foundation kick off our 2026 Racing Season with the Saint Fennessy 4K on Saturday, March 14, 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.

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.

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.