We’re here trying to prepare for some of the what ifs that could come with an event of our size, come race weekend.” “And what we’re doing here today is no different. “Every level of Grandma’s Marathon requires great community support and great cooperation between different agencies, different businesses and different people,” said Zach Schneider, Grandma’s Marathon’s Marketing and PR Director. We want to make sure everyone has as safe an experience as possible.” Runners take their mark at Grandma’s Marathon 2022, image by Nick Johnson. “Whether that’s a weather related emergency or something else. “The big thing here is start doing some planning, understand what other agencies are here for, and understand what resources we have if we do have an emergency,” said Krizaj. You’ve got people doing crazy stuff like handing out bacon.” Wrapping up Grandma’s Marathon 2022, Image by Glen Kellahan. “It’s as much of an event for the runners as it is for the spectators.

They’ve got 5k’s, they’ve got kid’s races, they’ve got concerts,” said Krizaj. You know, the festivities literally start a few days ahead of time. Public safety officials prepare for Duluth's largest annual event.

While Krizaj and all the other organizers, contributors and participants donate their time, and their hard work to the race, there’s more to it than that. Louis and Lake County Sherriff’s Offices, other county emergency services, local hospitals, the National Weather Service, Customs and Border Protection and even the United States Coast Guard.” “We have representatives from of course the Duluth Fire Department, myself and some of our other people here,” said Chief Krizaj.

Louis County and then, of course, it finishes in the City of Duluth.”Ĭhief Krizaj said a marathon like this would not be possible without cooperation between many different agencies. “This is a point-to-point marathon, so it starts in a different city–actually in a different county–it starts in Lake County and then comes down into St. “Today is a planning session for people to get together, and to understand what other agencies, cities or counties are doing,” said Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj. Duluth’s largest annual event draws as many as 20,000 participants and $21 million in spending to the local economy. Representatives from almost a dozen state and local agencies came together to plan and prepare ahead of the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon.

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