Early October is the perfect time for the Medtronic Marathon in Minnesota. The leaves on the trees are starting to change colors and will soon be drifting through the breeze to the ground. The weather is starting to turn toward winter, but you still have plenty warmth for a comfortable, relaxing run.
The course races along parks and lakes to create a relaxing environment only tainted by the screaming fans at cheer sections along the route. This is why the Medtronic Marathon has grown in size over the past thirty years.
Marathon History
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is offered by Twin Cities in Motion, a non-profit organization dedicated to planning healthy, fun events for people of all ages in the Twin Cities region.
The race started more than thirty years ago, and over the years, additional race events have been added to the schedule.
Today, there is a 5K race, 10K race, 10 mile race, plus a variety of family events and additional activities offered throughout the year.
The marathon remains the highlight event, but the shorter races allow more people to get involved and work their way up to the marathon.
Why to Participate in the Medtronic Marathon
The marathon offers a delicate balance of relaxing, peaceful nature and encouraging entertainment. There are cheer zones established all along the route, so those coming to watch the racers have just as much fun traveling the course as the runners themselves.
There are also entertainment zones set up along the route, so you can enjoy music and other distractions then focus back on the beautiful water, colorful trees, and passing parks.
Marathon Course
You will definitely have your fair share of water views during the Medtronic Marathon, with four rivers and the amazing Mississippi River passing by.
The course actually ventures along both sides of the Mississippi River, with a starting point in Minneapolis and an ending point in St. Paul. The start point is at the Mall of America field and the end point is at the State Capital.
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a great pick for runners interested in flat terrain. There are some light hills, but they never go beyond a hundred feet in length. There are no overwhelming hills or mountainsides to contend with, so most runners will not need to train for elevation.
To top it off, there is a nice down slope leading to the finish line, so you can pick up some speed and finish with a nice breeze cooling you down. This pleasant terrain may be why so many first-time marathon runners choose the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
Marathon Registration
You can register for the Medtronic Marathon online and there is a Corporate Team Challenge for those who wish to race as part of a company team. This is a great way for employees to bond together, though individual racers are more than welcome as well. You cannot get your money back after you have registered and numbers cannot be transferred to other racers.
Racers can verify their registration online, but packets are picked up at the Health Fitness Expo. The Expo is held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre the Friday and Saturday of marathon weekend. The race is on Sunday, but you have to pick up your pack either Friday or Saturday. They do not allow packet pick-up the day of the event and the cut-off time on both Friday and Saturday is 8 PM.
There is a confirmation ticket that comes in the mail, which you must bring along with photo identification to pick up your packet.
Medtronic Marathon Training
Training for a marathon is difficult, even if you do go for one with relatively flat terrain like the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. This is why many of the big marathons now offer training groups that help runners of all levels properly prepare for race day.
There is official training team for this marathon, but there is a small selection of training groups that can be joined depending on where you live or will be training. Most are offered through running clubs in the Twin Cities area, but runners from other areas of the country may be able to find general marathon running training programs if they need companionship or guidance.
There are special guidelines that must be followed for those interested in being classified as an elite runner for the Medtronic Marathon. Those who need assistance with entry fees or travel expenses must qualify as an elite runner plus go through additional guidelines in order to qualify. This is a privilege offered to accomplished runners who really want to participate in the Twin Cities Marathon.
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