Twin Cities Marathon

"Discover Minneapolis Marathon Running Supreme"

Twin Cities Marathon named by many as America's most beautiful urban American Marathon course, the Twin Cities Marathon spans the Minnaeapolis - Saint Paul areas of Minneapolis, along the world famous Mississippi River.

It really is a scenic route along the banks of this river - a Minneapolis Marathon experience supreme.

This marathon has a good overall mix ; the course is fairly fast (not the fastest, but the weather is usually excellent for marathon running, something that is crucial for a fast finishing time) and the course gives you that little extra on the way in terms of the whole "marathon experience"

Twin Cities Marathon Course

The course starts in downtown Minneapolis at the Metrodome but from there winds around several beautiful lakes until it reaches the banks of the Mississipppi. From there the course moves to Saint Paul and up to the historic State Capitol building.

In one of the most challenging finishes of nay of the world's marathons, the course then head uphill for a good few miles until competitors are allowed to get their second wind and sprint downhill to the finish line. It's just about the only hill on the course, though s much of it take sin relatively flat but pretty parkland, making this quite a fast course.

The Twin Cities Marathon is quite a new race, inaugurated in 1982, but its popularity has grown, even though it is run in early October, and so typically not in great weather for spectators - better for runners, though! However, marathons have been run in Minneapolis since 1963.

Running Times Top Marathon Pick

The marathon is really celebrated and a whole weekend of events has sprung up around it so there is plenty to attract runners and spectators alike. Wheelchair competitors and children are a major part of the fun and take part in the actual marathon but also a Fun Run/Walk over a mile of a half-mile and 10 mile run taking in part of the Marathon route.

There is something for everyone the weekend of the Twin Cities Marathon. Despite all this frivolity, the Running Times magazine judged the event to be the third most competitive American marathon.

Finally Marathon Training for Twin Cities

This one does not take any special preparations ; the course is fairly flat and the temperature usually pleasant. So a sound plan should do it ; with a half marathon about 4 weeks before and a progression of sessions going into the marathon.

Good luck !