Grandma's Marathon

Grandma's Marathon celebrates its 42nd year on June 16, drawing some 18,000 participants for its three-race weekend – the 26.2-mile Grandma's Marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth's Canal Park starting at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, the 13.1-mile Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon at 6:15 a.m. Saturday, and the 3.1-mile William A. Irvin 5K, which is Friday, June 15, at 6 p.m.

Other races are the Garry Bjorklund Duo Wheelchair Half Marathon Saturday with a 6 a.m. start, and the Grandma's Wheelchair Marathon at 7:40 a.m. Saturday.

On Friday, youngsters can take part in the Whipper Snapper Races for those age 14 and under at Bayfront Festival Park at 2 p.m.

The weekend of events includes the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC arena Thursday and Friday (free and open to the public) and the Michelina's Spaghetti Dinner at the DECC's Pioneer Hall Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Entertainment under the tent is free during the day. Evening music (for a charge) at Rock the Big Top includes the Belfast Cowboys, a nine-piece band from the Twin Cities that specializes in the music of Van Morrison on Friday, as well as Sugar Ray and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples.

More details are at www.grandmasmarathon.com.