New study finds Grandma’s Marathon generates $40M in economic activity

DULUTH, Minn. – A new University of Minnesota Extension study finds the economic impact of Grandma’s Marathon has nearly doubled since 2019. 

Spokesman Zach Schneider says the previous study found race weekends generated $20 million for the Duluth area, but the 2024 numbers show it brought in close $40 million. Schneider says Grandma’s Marathon draws around 50,000 people and they spend money in hotels, bars, restaurants, and other businesses. 

The study found every person spent more than $176 per day, participants traveled with 2.7 people, and spent 2.5 nights in the region.