Twin Cities Marathon: A Weekend With A Difference

A weekend of multiple events, this is another one with a difference. The Twin Cities Marathon runs from one city to another, not something many can boast. It starts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a major city that forms the “Twin Cities” with the neighbouring state capital of St. Paul. The community-inclusive event also includes live art, course entertainment, the Summit Beer Garden, and welcomes non-participants to join the 300,000+ cheering spectators who line the race courses each year.

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The Destination

The Twin Cities of Minnesota are Minneapolis and the state capital, Saint Paul. There’s very much an outdoor culture here, with the Chain of Lakes taking centre stage. Several of the most prominent lakes in the city form an integral part of this marathon course and of day-to-day life for the thousands of walkers, bikers, boaters and skiers. In the summer it’s kayaks and canoes, and in the winter ice surfers and pond hockey players take over.

And of course there’s the majestic Mississippi River, one of the most famous in the world and the second longest river in the United States. It begins at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and flows south to the Gulf of Mexico, shaping the development of the region along the way. The River has been a vital part of the development of Minneapolis, a city which was known for its flour mills, thanks to the energy provided by the power of the water. There are events up and down the River all year and across the city, catering to all audiences.

If shopping is more your thing there’s the largest shopping mall in the US, the Mall of America. Minnesota does not charge sales tax on clothing, which makes it particularly attractive for apparel purchases (though most other goods are taxed). Saint Paul is the home of the Minnesota State Capitol building and state government. Historic Como Park includes picnic areas, a zoo and conservatory (and there is also the Minnesota Zoo located in Apple Valley). The city oozes history in neighborhoods that boast towers and turrets, lofty arches, Baroque domes and elaborate adornments. James J. Hill House and the Cathedral of Saint Paul are essential places to visit. As with Minneapolis, much of its development is around the Mississippi and this is where many visitor attractions are found, including the Children’s Museum and the Science Museum. Nowhere in the Twin Cities is that far from anywhere else; it’s a great place to explore.

It’s also a popular place to live, with the metropolitan area now home to approximately 3.6–3.7 million people. These numbers are significantly boosted at weekends when this sports-mad area hosts one of its many matches. There are a remarkable number of top-level teams and stadiums here: football with the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), baseball with the Minnesota Twins (MLB), basketball with the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), ice hockey with the Minnesota Wild (NHL), and soccer with Minnesota United (MLS). This is a seriously sports-mad part of the world. The Mississippi dominates this region. You’ll see plenty of it during the run!

History

The earliest predecessor to the Twin Cities Marathon was the Land of Lakes Marathon, beginning in 1963 and later becoming the City of Lakes Marathon in 1976. In 1982, organisers from Minneapolis and Saint Paul joined forces to create the first official Twin Cities Marathon, combining the spectacular autumn beauty of both cities into one point-to-point race. They believed this would be a greater attraction than competing marathons on either side of the Mississippi River. The inaugural 1982 race attracted 4,563 entrants, which established an entry record for a first-time marathon in the US at that time.

Both the 10 mile race as well as the marathon have served as US Championship events. In 2017, the 10 mile race had more finishers (12,484) than the marathon (9,851).

Race Organiser

The event is organised by Twin Cities In Motion, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1982. One of their objectives is to give back to the local community by providing financial support to local youth as well as professional athletes.

When is the Twin Cities Marathon?

The race is held annually in early October.

Distances

Marathon, 10 mile, 10K, 5K, family events and two multi-event challenges: the Loony and the Ultra Loony.

Is there an Expo?

There are more than 100 exhibitors with the latest in running and fitness gear at the event expo, where bibs must be collected. It’s held on Friday and Saturday at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

How many runners?

Across all events over the weekend, more than 21,000 runners participate.

The start is near the US Bank Stadium

Course

The marathon is on the Sunday of race weekend, starting at 8:00am. The start line is near U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. A corral system is used, meaning little or no congestion on the course as the event progresses. There are free buses to the start and transportation back from the finish in Saint Paul.U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016 and has a capacity of around 67,000 for football and more for concerts. It was built at a cost of just over $1 billion and hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018.

Twin Cities is marketed as the “Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America,” and rightly so. The first half is all about the Chain of Lakes — over 1,500 acres of public parkland within the city limits — and the second half features the Mississippi River and the run into Saint Paul.

The first three miles are in the downtown area and are fairly flat, apart from a small hill around two and a half miles. Turning south at 3 miles, runners head between Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake, before arriving at Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun). Bde Maka Ska, which translates to “White Earth Lake” in the Dakota language, has beaches, watersport rentals and expansive lakeside parkland.

Lake Harriet follows between miles 6 and 7. Just past mile 8 the route turns east and runners head through residential neighborhoods before reaching Lake Nokomis, where there is nearly a full loop, and then Lake Hiawatha around mile 14. From here it’s east and then, just after 15 miles, runners reach the Mississippi River. They head north along its west bank through scenic stretches including Winchell Trail and Mississippi Gorge Regional Park. At around mile 19, runners cross the river into Saint Paul, then head south briefly along the eastern bank before turning east.

Between miles 20 and 23 there is a sustained incline — a challenging section late in the race. After mile 23 the course trends gently downhill toward the finish at the Minnesota State Capitol, opened in 1905 and fully restored in 2017. It’s a spectacular setting for the finish line, where runners can enjoy the beer garden and food options. The 10 mile course, also on Sunday, starts at 7:00am near U.S. Bank Stadium but heads east instead of west, joining the marathon course near the river crossing. Aid stations appear every two to three miles on both courses, offering water and electrolyte hydration.There’s plenty of room on the course and lots of support.

This event is known not only for its superb course, but for its crowd support, which is exceptional for an event of this scale. This is partly due to an initiative from the organisers called the Diane and Alan Page Community Cheer Challenge, which invites Minnesotans to assemble along the marathon course in designated locations to support runners and gather as a community. It definitely works. There are also artists along the course capturing special moments from the day.

The finish is at the Minnesota State Capitol

What’s unique?

The Chain of Lakes gives the event its special edge.

Do charities benefit?

Collectively, the organisers and their charity partners that fundraise at TCM events give back more than $1.1 million annually to a variety of causes. There are a number of charity partners that have entries in one or more of the weekend’s events. They ask runners to raise a pre-agreed amount for one of these spots, or to fundraise independently with their own entry.

Our verdict

This is a top event and stands out from races of a similar size thanks to the crowd support and the nature of the course. The mix of urban and parkland running is unusual, and having so many people cheering you on really makes a difference. The Mississippi, the lakes and the State Capitol finish make this a must-do marathon. If you’re looking for an extra challenge, the Saturday 10K and 5K are options on top of the Sunday 26.2.

How to register

Online via the race website. Popular events can fill, so early registration is recommended. Charity spots are also available.