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Talk to me about Grandma's
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 2008-10-09 10:15 PM |
 Subject: Talk to me about Grandma'sMy wife was sidelined this summer due to injury and had to miss TCM. She has mentioned Grandma's next year as the next marathon for us. What are some likes and dislikes from people who have done it? Also, where should we try to get a room? Thanks. |
| 2008-10-10 6:47 AM in reply to: #1732209 |
Master  2808    , Minnesota | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's I've only done G'mas twice, so am by no means an expert. I think this marathon is a love-hate for folks. Some people (those who have never done TCM) swear it's the greatest marathon ever. Others (like myself) consider it just another venue and could care less if they do it again. The course is along Lake Superior so the view is OK. Most of the time the view is of other runners and a desolate road. I think it was more like a long training run with 9k other people for the first 20 miles. The last 6 miles or so is 'in town' so you feel like you're back in civilization. The organization of the race is very good. I stayed in Duluth one year and in Two Harbors the other. I'd definitely stay in TH again as we were about 2 miles from the start and didn't have to deal with the whole shuttle bus/porta jon thing. It's certainly one that should be done so you can judge for yourself. |
| 2008-10-10 7:39 AM in reply to: #1732209 |
Elite 3687  | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's Kelly and I have both agreed it is a race we will NEVER do again. She did the full and I did the half. You get gouged for everything and the course is actually quite boring. Very long stretches of nobody as far as fan support. This is just my opinion though because I know some people like it a lot. Kelly has done Grandmas and Twin Cities and she said she likes TC wayyyyyyyy more. |
| 2008-10-10 8:16 AM in reply to: #1732462 |
Champion 10021 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's The course is really, really, really boring (even if you have someone charming to talk to) and the travel and getting around Duluth is a drain. I was lucky enough to stay with a friend. Since it's in the summer, the weather can be really hot. Even the fans were really, really, really lame. On the home stretch, no one even cheered! It was surreal. The only upside to the race is the food and stuff at the end. Also, my race t-shirt is about the only race shirt I ever wear. So for chicks, they did well on that (at least in 2007 for the half). They actually had girl shaped t-shirts. The cost of doing it is the same as going somewhere really cool. I would rather do a RockNRoll Marathon somewhere that I have to fly to. ETA: There was a lot of cheering right at the very end, just not from mile 11-13 where I needed it (I did the half). The finish was really cool. |
| 2008-10-10 10:30 AM in reply to: #1732209 |
Pro 4675 Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's Funny - I'm the outlier. I've done Grandmas 4x and TCM 3x (plus one Bjorklund half). I've done a 2:51 on both courses, but I absolutely love Grandmas. I love the long stretches of nobody around and enjoy the northwoods feel of the first half of the course. I don't need the crowds cheering. Lodging is the only hassle. For the first 2 years I stayed at the Travel Lodge in Spirit Mt., west of town. Last 2 years, I went the cheap route and stayed at the dormitory at the University of WI. Even though I paid for 2 nights, I only stayed one night and then went home after the race. Still cheaper than the minimum 3 nights at most of the expensive hotels. |
| 2008-10-10 11:58 AM in reply to: #1732209 |
Regular 71 | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's It's hard to compare TCM with Grandmas. I ran TCM this year for my first marathon... I was absolutely blown away by the number of spectators out on the course! It was great! Grandmas on the other hand... has to be one of the more tedious races. Lake on the left, trees on the right... a group of spectators every couple of miles until the last 4 miles. Granted I've only done the 1/2 a couple times but I live 2 blocks off the course. It's beautiful but mile 1 looks very similar to mile 18. Lodging- Please seriously consider this option: www.landtrustduluth.org/events My wife and I rented out a room last year for two nights. It can be very affordable, and the proceeds go to a really good cause. Some hosts really go out of their way to make sure you are taken care of... |
| 2008-10-10 4:06 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
Extreme Veteran 552 Minnetonka, MN | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's I have done both and I enjoyed Grandma's much more. That may be because I ran it slow while training for an IM, but I had a LOT of fun running it this year. Twin Cities is nice as well, but it is urban. |
| 2008-10-10 4:07 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
| Veteran 458 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's My wife and I have done both. I prefer Grandma's, she prefers Twin Cities. I would consider both quality events. From my expereince I felt Grandma's was better organized and runner friendly. I like the expo more and felt it was more convenient with parking, race packet pick-up, finding a place to eat, etc. I also felt they did a better job with the starting area and runners finishing area, and especially the water stations. TCM does pretty good, I just think Grandma's makes more of an effort. I liked both courses pretty well. For Grandma's, I liked the more open road and scenic views as well as the crowds as you enter Duluth. I enjoyed the the challenge of being on my own more, but it is not for everyone. I also appreciated TCM's contrast with the urban feel and cheering crowds. The only negative I had with the TCM course was that there were some pretty congested sections that hurt my pace, due to the fact that I got stuck back in the starting gate. Overall, I think Twin Cities appeals to more people with it big crowd support and beautiful Autumn race course. It has some glitches (like any race) but they aren't really deal breakers for most. Grandmas, as someone mentioned earlier, tends to be a more "love it or leave it" type race. If you like the more North Shore outdoors, smaller community vibe it can be a race you really like. If you want crowds cheering you every step of the way, forget it. The biggest complaint I hear about Grandma's is the hotels -- And generally they will screw you with their extended stay policies and price gouging. Luckily, my wife is from Duluth, so I stay for free 10 minutes from the DECC. I am probably a little more biased toward Grandma's because I have made it into the half marathon 5 of 6 trys. I am 0-3 in at TCM 10 miler. |
| 2008-10-12 12:59 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
Extreme Veteran 475 Blaine, MN | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's i have done both as well.. and I liked the shoreline and scenic solitude.. as well as the downtown running and the cheering with bands , school cheerleading, irish bands, etc. its a great finish.... better then TCM IMHO .. as far as the end goes.. but .. it is indeed not nearly as festic DURING the race.. as TCM.. so between the two you get a really nice variety. I would suggest you do BOTH!! and let make up your own mind... one marathon isn't really enough is it? LOL |
| 2008-10-12 6:29 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
| Regular 149 Minneapolis, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's I have run both, and I like both. However, because I don't like the hassle of travel, I prefer TCM. I live in the metro, and it's a ten-minute drive to the Dome from my house. |
| 2008-10-13 12:12 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
Elite 2515 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's Grandma's is my one and only (so far) so I have no point of comparison. Here are some likes and dislikes: Likes
Dislikes
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| 2008-10-13 12:38 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
| 1 | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's I've done both TCM (1) and GMA's (7x - geez really 7?). In terms of course, I don't think one course is easier than the other. Both are very well organized. My summary: Grandmas is a weekend party. TCM is a marathon party. I'm fortunate as I have friends to stay with in Duluth, which saves me from paying the big bucks for hotels. I believe most hotels in Duluth book up VERY early, are expensive and require multiple day stays. The course doesn't have as many fans and the ones that are there generally are cheering for their friends who are running. Because much of the course is rural, ppl are cheering where there are intersections, So you're likely to see some of the same people as they move with the race to cheer for their friends/family. Note, if you're a slower runner you'll see fewer fans. Grandmas is on Sat. So they also have music/beer/party saturday night. I think people stick around for that and enjoy the weekend. TCM has fans/neighborhoods coming out and cheering the whole course with a few exceptions. I'd say the fans energy helps alot of runners through rough spots and makes the run very very fun. |
| 2008-10-13 5:37 PM in reply to: #1732209 |
Member 38 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's The last time I ran Grandma's, I did a home stay, which was a fundraiser for the Northern Land Trust. I made a $75 dollar donation to the Trust, and stayed just the night before the race with a very nice family, just outside Two Harbors. No two or three night minimums, no inflated hotel bills and no frills, just a very kind host family and 4 other runners. If you're interested, I'll dig up some info. I think they're still doing this, although they caught some grief from the Duluth Chamber of Commerce......wonder why! As for the race, I'm kind of in the not-so-much group. have done it 3 times and pretty much share the pros and cons with what others have said here. Twin Cities is just a better course, and much more simple logistically. |
| 2008-10-14 9:18 AM in reply to: #1739763 |
| Subject: RE: Talk to me about Grandma's Thanks everyone. Some good information. |
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