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Twin Cities Marathon
Minnesota-marathon-logos—2019—twin-cities.png
Twin Cities Marathon logo
Date 02-03 October 2021
Location Minneapolis, Minnesota to St. Paul, Minnesota
Distance 26.219 miles (42.195 km)
Primary sponsor Medtronic
Established 1982
Course records Men: 2:08:51 (2016)
Dominic Ondoro
Women: 2:26:51 (2001 and 2004)
Zinaida Semenova and Irina Permitina (respectively)
Official site https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic-twin-cities-marathon-weekend-2021/race/marathon
Participants 8,800
Twin-Cities-Marathon-2006-Minneapolis
Runners at the 2006 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

The Twin Cities Marathon is a long-distance running race held in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. It usually happens on the first weekend of October. Many people call it "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America." This is because the race path goes through city centers, then along pretty parkways next to lakes and rivers. It also passes through thick urban forests in neighborhoods of both cities.

The first Twin Cities Marathon happened on October 3, 1982. Before this, Minneapolis and St. Paul had their own separate marathon events. The very first race that led to this marathon was the Land of Lakes Marathon, which started in 1963.

This marathon is one of the top 10 biggest marathons in the United States. In 2006, the race got its first big company sponsor, Medtronic, Inc. Because of this, the official name of the marathon changed to Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (MTCM).

Besides the main marathon, the MTCM now includes a whole weekend of events. These events offer chances for runners and people using wheelchairs of all ages and skill levels. On Sunday, adults can join the Medtronic TC 10 Mile race, also known as the "Shortcut to the Capitol." On Saturday, there are Medtronic TC Family Events for kids and adults. These Saturday races include the TC 10K, TC 5K, Diana Pierce Family Mile, Toddler Trot, Diaper Dash, and a Mascot Invitational. Medtronic and the race organizers also support a one-mile road race for everyone, from beginners to professional runners.

In 2006, Running Times magazine said the Twin Cities Marathon was the third most competitive marathon for American runners. This means many top American runners choose to compete there.

Over the years, the marathon has grown a lot. It now includes the Medtronic TC 10 Mile race as a partner event on Sunday. On the Saturday before the main marathon and 10-mile race, runners can take part in 5K and 10K runs. There are also many family-friendly events, like the popular Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot races for very young children.

Thousands of volunteers help put on this event every year. Many of them come back to help again and again. In 2004, almost 2,500 volunteers helped manage the race weekend and support the runners. Some said they were motivated by their values and a love for the sport.

Race History: How It Started

TCM 19
The 2007 women's winner, Svetlana Ponomarenko, leading the race.

The Minnesota Distance Running Association started the earliest version of this event. It was first called the Land of Lakes Marathon in 1963. In that first year, more people watched than ran! Only five runners, all men, started the 26.2-mile journey through Minneapolis' streets and parkways.

In 1976, the race was renamed the City of Lakes Marathon. It moved to a course that went around Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet four times. By 1981, running was becoming very popular across the country. The race filled its limit of 1,700 runners in just one month. In the same year, St. Paul started its own race, the St. Paul Marathon. This race followed a path around Minnesota's capital city. It was very successful, attracting about 2,000 runners in its first and only year.

In 1982, the people who organized the St. Paul and City of Lakes marathons decided to work together. They created the Twin Cities Marathon. Race officials realized that a marathon connecting Minneapolis to St. Paul would be a bigger attraction. It would combine the beautiful autumn scenery of both cities. The first Twin Cities Marathon had 4,563 people sign up. This set a record for the most entries for a first-time race in the United States.

A small issue happened in 2004. Irina Permitina finished first for the women. But the first results showed her time as 2:26:53. Permitina, who had been in Minnesota before, was sure the time was wrong. Officials checked four different timing devices. They found her time was actually 2:26:50.7. This was three-tenths of a second faster than the old record set by Zinaida Semenova in 2001. However, marathon officials round up to the nearest second. So, her time was officially a tie with the previous record. Permitina protested, but the decision stood. The women's course record for the Twin Cities Marathon is still held by two female runners.

In 2008, one of the events became a USATF championship for the first time. Both the 10-mile race and the marathon have been US championships in different years. When the races are championships, the prize money is higher, and more top runners compete.

In 2017, for the first time, the 10-mile race (TC10) had more people sign up (12,484) than the marathon (9,851).

The 2020 race was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. People who signed up received some credit for the 2021 or 2022 races. A virtual run was held instead. The 2023 race was also canceled due to very hot and humid weather.

Race Path: Where Runners Go

The race starts near U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. It then winds around several famous lakes in the city. These include Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis. After that, it turns north and follows the banks of the Mississippi River. The course stays along the river for several miles. Then, it crosses into Saint Paul. From there, it goes east up Summit Avenue. The race finishes at the Minnesota State Capitol. Miles 21 to 23 of the course go steadily uphill from the river. This part is considered one of the harder finishes among American marathons. However, the last half-mile is downhill, which allows runners to finish strong.

Past Winners: Who Ran Fastest?

Marathon Winners

      Course record

TC 10 Mile Winners

Key:       Course record       USATF 10 Mile Championship

Edition Year Men's winner Time (m:s) Women's winner Time (m:s)
1 1999  Charlie Mahler (USA) 52:01  Kelly Keeler (USA) 57:13
2 2000  Mark Elworthy (USA) 52:02  Bonnie Sons (USA) 1:00:17
3 2001  Dan Simmons (USA) 52:53  Katie McGregor (USA) 57:20
4 2002  Eric Johnson (USA) 51:40 55:48
5 2003  Chris Lundstrom (USA) 50:46 54:28
6 2004  Chad Johnson (USA) 48:42  Sara Wells (USA) 57:10
7 2005  Moses Waweru (USA) 50:48  Katie McGregor (USA) 55:09
8 2006  Matthew Gabrielson (USA) 48:54 53:51
9 2007†  Abdihakim Abdirahman (USA) 47:34  Kristen Nicolini (USA) 56:26
10 2008‡  Josh Glaab (USA) 50:27  Kara Goucher (USA) 53:16
11 2009†  Abdihakim Abdirahman (USA) 46:35  Rachel Booth (USA) 57:32
12 2010‡  Matt Downin (USA) 50:43  Katie McGregor (USA) 54:21
13 2011  Mohamed Trafeh (USA) 46:46  Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (USA) 54:15
14 2012  Benjamin True (USA) 47:19 53:43
15 2013  Jonathan Peterson (USA) 49:03  Laura Paulsen (USA) 58:47
16 2014 48:12  Allison Mendez (USA) 56:27
17 2015  Samuel Chelanga (USA) 46:47  Molly Huddle (USA) 51:44
18 2016 47:25  Jordan Hasay (USA) 52:49
19 2017  Shadrack Kipchirchir (USA) 47:33  Sara Hall (USA) 53:43
20 2018 46:32 52:47
21 2019  Futsum Zienasellassie (USA) 46:55 53:11
- 2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
22 2021  Daniel Docherty (USA) 49:19  Rachel Drake (USA) 56:40

† Men's championship only. ‡ Women's championship only

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