where do you suggest staying for Grandma's Marathon

try staying at one of the dorms that the committee sets up, then you will have a shuttle to take you to the start line. there are 2 or 3 small universities around there that they use.

I'm not sure about the BEST place. I wound up staying in one of the dorms this year and it was fine for my purposes. All I wanted was an inexpensive place to crash and a kitchen to brew an inky cup of coffee before the race:)You can get a room at UM Duluth, College of St Scholastica or UW Superior. The marathon runs buses from the campuses to the start. For the half marathon, however, they only ran buses from UM Duluth to the start for some reason.

Couple of things to note: You're smart to take care of this early. Rooms book up well in advance. By the time I booked my room in April, almost everything was gone. Just about every hotel or dorm in the area requires a two-night stay for Grandmas weekend. And if you stay in a dorm, bring earplugs just in case. I had a few knuckleheads on my hall who made noise late into the night.

i meant hotels...a girl i'm coaching is going to run there and expense isn't really what i'm worried about (proximity, comfort)

Rent a car, stay at the dorms. Stayed at UM Duluth, $150 for 2 nights and you can split the room with someone. On race day they had coffee and snacks in the lobby. We had a room with a view of Lake Superior and there is a place nearby called Bulldog Cafe which had good all you can pasta for $5.99 (get there relatively early, the place is small and popular with the locals).

Warning: the bus ride to the start can be brutal on the bladder, take an early bus. When you drive up to the start, they only let people off the front 2 buses... so if you're 10 buses back, you're just sitting there trying not to piss yourself while you sit and watch people form huge lines at the porta-johns.

If money is really no object, there are some nice hotels right on the finishing drag. They fill up FAST, however, and require a two-night minimum. I'm talking $300-plus to stay near the finish. I stayed at the Hawthorne Suites one year and while it was nice, it was way way too costly for this family man. Getting up and walking to the bus was a plus, though. Then walking back to take a shower afterthe race was another plus. Try the link below, then go to lodging - hotels - Canal Park.

Stay in Two Harbors near the start...a lot less congested, and VERY easy to drop a runner at the start (versus taking a bus) Some great resorts that are right on Lake Superior. Neat town. Very laid back and only a 20 - 30 minute drive to downtown Duluth. Email me if you want some specifics.

Good luck!

I may be a bit biased, but I work in the Housing Office at UMDuluth. Grandmas marathon runs a hospitality room right in the dorm. The shuttle picks up right out in front. Also there is a shuttle back from the starting line. If you do stay at UMD I would recommend the suite option if price is not an issue. It's an on campus apartment with a kitchen and a private bathroom. Canal Park is the next best place but as others have said it's $$$ and it's an absolute mad house that weekend. Forget about driving your car out of there anyway. Let me know if you want more specifics.