Fewer to run Grandma's

[Andrew A.]

Marathon director cites lagging international economy for drop
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12624200

No surprise at all that the economy has had an effect on a non-Major destination race.  Few road races outside of ING NYCM, Bank of America Chicago, and John Hancock BAA are safe.

[Ryan]

I also heard some people complaining that lodging costs were getting simply ridiculous. I heard someone say $150/night for a dorm room. I suppose this is partly about the economy (more people would be willing to pay those prices in a good economy) but some has to do with costs simply spiraling out of control.

[Andrew A.]

Does that sort of thing not happen with every destination marathon?  I have heard that room rates for marathon weekends in NYC, Boston, and Chicago (likely true for San Diego, Nashville, Houston, Cleveland, Huntsville, San Antonio, etc. as well) are quite a bit higher than on neighboring weekends.

[Ryan]

Yes, to some extent. The problem, as I've heard it, at Grandma's is that there is such a shortage of rooms that the prices aren't just quite a bit higher but outrageously higher. When I ran Chicago, I paid about a $50/night premium for a downtown hotel overlooking Grant Park. The price I paid for what I considered a luxury hotel room was less than $50 more than what people are apparently paying to stay in a dorm room at UMD for Grandma's. Essentially, in Duluth, people are paying big city luxury hotel prices and well over the normal Duluth bed and breakfast price to stay in a college dorm. I wouldn't be surprised if some people would balk at those prices given the lack of amenities while they wouldn't at similar prices for much greater amenities elsewhere.

[Chris]

Keep in mind there were also 4 new "local" marathons this year.  Minneapolis, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Stillwater. 

Grandmas was still huge and still the favorite of most anyone I've talked to that has run them all. 

[Andrew A.]

Yes, supply vs. demand will always factor.  If you think that is ridiculous, you should have seen the reports I saw of the room rates for the OT in Eugene last year.  Unfortunately, though you can marathon about anywhere, there is only one OT every four years.  At any rate (no pun), just another good reason to avoid the popular destination races, not that it would stop those pointed out by P.T. Barnum.

[Ed]

$150.00 for a dorm room - for one night - NEVER!  I'll bring a tent and find a plave to legally pitch it.

[Andrew A.]

The notable weather of recent years for this race might factor in, as well.  I do not care if it is on Lake Superior, I would be loath to race a marathon in June anywhere in the US.

[Chris]

Very valid point regarding the weather.  I know a guy that has run it 13 times in about the last 15 years.  He says of those 13 twice he has run it in "ideal conditions."  It's just bad luck as the average low in Duluth around race day is about 45-47 degrees! 

It really is a bummer for those who have invested so much time and effort chasing PR's to have to chase them in dare I say impossible conditions. 

[Ryan]

Yes, the recent weather history does not bode well for bringing in large numbers of runners. Chris, as much as I understand your point, at some point bad luck becomes a trend. At least 11 bad weather years in 15 looks like a trend.

[Chris]

http://www.d.umn.edu/housing/grandmas/

$150 / night sounded a little lofty.  Well it wasn't far off!

We paid $140 / night (2 night minimum) at the Day's Inn Superior.  It was NOT fancy. 

The Confort Inn and Suites at the finish line is $750ish for 2 nights.  That's for a little more than your basic room though. 

It's not a cheap weekend weekend vacation for a couple that's for sure! 

[Ryan]

I might have been told $150 for a one night stay, in which case it was a lowball figure given the 2 night minimum.

[r-at-work]

Does that sort of thing not happen with every destination marathon?  I have heard that room rates for marathon weekends in NYC, Boston, and Chicago (likely true for San Diego, Nashville, Houston, Cleveland, Huntsville, San Antonio, etc. as well) are quite a bit higher than on neighboring weekends.

while other 'destination' marathons might have high room rates at least for most of them you're SOMEWHERE... I mean it's a bit easier to convince oneself and ones significant other that you are headed for Chicago or NYC, San Diego, LA, Nashville or even Houston... but to get excited about Duluth, well, it takes a bit more... not saying anything against Grandma's as it is on my list one to do, but my husband, who is not a runner, can't see why I'd even want to go that far away 'just to run a marathon' when there are other choices...he understood why I wanted to go to Boston (very expensive) and was happy to tag along to Anchorage as long as we also got on a cruise ship as part of the trip... but Duluth... when I go, I'll be going alone (probably staying with friends to help defray costs)
-Rita

[Ryan]

Rita, I'm not going to tell you to convince your husband but Duluth is actually a nice area for tourists. It is a very nice town itself and the natural features in the area are incredible, especially along the north shore of Lake Superior.

Of course, not many people know of this so it isn't quite the same draw as Broadway and Times Square or the Magnificent Mile and the Navy Pier.

[Andrew A.]

With Duluth, the marathon is the draw.  For how many years has RW ranked Grandma's among its top recommended marathons?  It is not as if Grandma's (like MCM) is known for pulling in stellar elite fields, this race would hardly be on the radar if not for the constant hype from running media.  For Duluth it is a tourist trap, and likely the biggest one of the year.  Local businesses would be foolish to not take full advantage of that, though they do of course need to find a point that balances supply and demand well enough.