Grandma’s Marathon Earns Recognition Among World’s Most Sustainable Large Events

Grandma’s Marathon has earned the Evergreen Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, recognizing the organization’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, community impact, and responsible event management.

The Evergreen Certification is the most rigorous standard offered by the Council for Responsible Sport, requiring a demonstrated commitment to sustainability and social equity across all aspects of race planning and execution.

“We believe Grandma’s Marathon can and should inspire meaningful change, not only in our individual participants but in our community as a whole,” Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider said. “Our staff and partners have worked tirelessly to put these values of sustainability into practice within our event, and we’re excited to further ingrain these values into our organization as we look to the future.”

The race first received the Gold Certification – one level below Evergreen – two years ago, and this year received 61 of a possible 66 credits to move up to the highest certification level possible.

Grandma’s Marathon becomes only the third United States marathon to receive the Evergreen Certification, joining the Chicago and Los Angeles Marathons.

“Grandma’s Marathon once again delivered a sustainability program that felt thoughtful and genuinely rooted in place,” Council for Responsible Sport certifier Laura Sivels said. “They approached each waste stream with intention, worked closely with community partners, and tied the experience back to what makes the Lake Superior region unique.”

Among the environmental efforts during the 2025 race weekend that contributed to the Evergreen Certification of Grandma’s Marathon were:

436,000 cups composted & 50,000 cups kept out of landfills through use of reusable cups and partnership with Hiccup 148,000 plastic bottles avoided by supplying racecourse water via trucks and hydrants

234,000 pounds of CO2 avoided by bussing participants to the start line and 382,000 pounds of CO2 voluntarily offset by participants

6,900 pounds of recycled plastics, cardboard, and paper

784 pounds of recycled plastic film and Heat Sheets

7,511 pounds of clothing donated and resold or recycled through partnership with True North Goodwill 50 pounds of nutritional packets recycled

60,600 pounds of compost generated

 237 bikes checked at free bike valet

Among the social and community efforts during the 2025 race weekend that contributed to the Evergreen Certification of Grandma’s Marathon were:

$39.4 million estimated economic impact to Duluth and surrounding region 

$600,000 raised for official charity partners

737 pounds of food donated to local food shelves and community organizations 

166 free entries through Running to Common Ground program

67 organizations using items in free equipment lending library

After being originally certified for the first time two years ago, organizers set an internal goal for the past two years to increase their sustainability efforts to earn the Evergreen Certification in 2025.

Grandma’s Marathon-Duluth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a 10-person, full-time staff and a 17-member Board of Directors.