DULUTH, MINNESOTA (June 19, 2019) In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) will once again transport participants in Grandma’s Marathon to the starting line.
DTA buses will supplement the substantial number of contracted buses to transport runners in both the full-and-half marathons. The DTA is expected to provide a minimum of 37 full-sized transit vehicles for the event. Due to federal regulations, the DTA is normally prohibited from providing such charter services in competition with private bus operators, however, in events having regional significance that would be impacted by a lack of available vehicles, the DTA can partner with private bus operators for such services.
This year, 35 DTA buses will be utilized at the Miller Hill Mall boarding site. Runners in the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon can board DTA buses at that location between 4:30a.m. and 5:15 a.m. Runners in the full Grandma’s Marathon can board one of 11 DTA buses at the same location and 4 buses at Saint Scholastica’s Summer Hall between 5:45a.m. and 6:15 a.m. All passengers must have their official event race number visible to board the DTA shuttle buses.
As an added service to benefit the transport of participants throughout the day, any runner participating in the half-or-full marathon can ride for FREE on any DTA bus the entire day of Saturday, June 16th using their race numbers. This includes Route 19 (Port Town Trolley).
During the races, Jefferson Lines and Indian Trails will not be able to operate out of the Duluth Transportation Center (DTC) due to the closure of Superior Street. Intercity bus operations will be temporarily relocated to the DTA parking lot located next to the M&H gas station at 1230 West Michigan Street. All Jefferson Lines and Indian Trails buses between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. will arrive and depart from that location. Access to DTA regular route buses are available at this site. Passengers seeking further information on detour routing and bus schedules are advised to visit duluthtransit.com.