The Grimstad Marathon begins and ends at Byhaven in Grimstad's harbor. This coastal town is located in Agder, southern Norway. The event offers multiple race distances beyond the marathon: 3 km, 5 km, 5.2 km, 10 km, half marathon, 25 km, and relay. It takes place in September on a course the organizers describe as fast and suitable for runners seeking distances from short to long on asphalt, given its city-proximity and compact layout.
The course departs the harbor, goes past Odden, and continues along Grooseveien towards Groos badeplass. A standard 5 km loop is repeated one, two, or four times based on the chosen distance. The half marathon includes an additional loop near the turnaround point to achieve 21 km. Runners experience a blend of sea, forest, and inland sections without venturing far from the town center. The event is organized with aid stations and support along the route, catering to individuals, groups of friends, colleagues, and relay teams.