Grandma’s Marathon Shares Update Ahead Of Incoming Severe Weather

As we've been tracking through the week, the threat of overnight severe storms continues ot be on track ahead of the start of Saturday's races for Grandma's Marathon.

The incoming storms have the potential of bringing flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail, among other things.

Storms could arrive in the Duluth area as soon as midnight, with the possibility of a second wave around 4 am. If the storms stay on this timetable, that would mean they could clear by the time races start on Saturday morning. That said, the marathon staff are alerting participants and spectators to their plan and what to expect.

How will these storms impact the races on Saturday?

In a social media post published Friday night, Grandma's Marathon Staff said some "aesthetic and comfort pieces of race day" may be affected by the storms. Things like start and finish line structures, tents, signage, and "potentially more" could be impacted.

While these items could be impacted, the marathon staff say they are working to provide all of the essential services expected for a race, including things like water, aid stations, and medical support.

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Marathon staff said in the post, "Safety of our participants, volunteers, and community members is our top priority."

In following with their safety procedures, they say if the storms stay in the race area past 3:00 a.m., there could be additional changes required.

In the event the logistics of race day need to be altered in response to the weather, race staff way they will provide that information to participants and the public before 4 am Saturday morning.