Get in Gear Half Marathon
Minneapolis, MN
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Celebrate Minnesota’s Annual Rite of Spring where fitness journeys begin, major strides are made, lifetime goals come true—and kids run free! TCM is eager to nurture the values, history and traditions of Get in Gear, Minnesota’s Annual Rite of Spring! Get in Gear will continue to run along the scenic … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 25):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 57 | 57 | 67 | 50 | 37 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 43 | 45 | 32 | 31 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Well staged, good course, good runners
(quick note: I'm partially sighted, but can see enough to run races without a guide runner. Because of this my review focuses a lot on safety and accesibility issues specific … MORE
(quick note: I’m partially sighted, but can see enough to run races without a guide runner. Because of this my review focuses a lot on safety and accesibility issues specific to my disability including the quality of the footing on the course, the clarity of the course markings, proximity to vehicular traffic and accessibility via public transit, etc.)
The terrain and footing on the course were of good quality overall and in line with what you would expect from well maintained city streets. The course was clearly marked and easy to follow. The entire course was closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of two bridge crossings over the Mississippi; traffic on bridges was well segregated from the running lanes and monitored by police – I felt 100% safe. It’s a net downhill course, although there is a gradual and extended climb around mile 9. It’s not very taxing overall.
Getting to the start area via public transit was easy. I stayed in downtown Minneapolis and took the #3 bus route to the area of the capitol in St. Paul and then had a walk of about 10 minutes to the start by the cathedral. Everything at the start was well organized and there were plenty of toilet facilities.
The race itself went great. It started right on time and in an orderly fashion. I ran with the 1:35:00 pace group and our pacer was excellent, I think 1:30:00 was the fastest pacer. I was really impressed with the other runners; for once in a race it felt like everyone lined up at the start roughly at the pace they intended to run! There was no jostling, no pushing, and no one suddenly slowing to a walk a half mile into the race.
The finish funnel and post finish area was well set up – no congestion – and there were plenty of bananas, chips, and water which is all I ever really look for. Getting back to my hotel was easy, it was short walk to the blue line light rail from the finish at Minnehaha Falls.
Overall I was really impressed with how smooth and low stress the entire experience was and I am planning to return next year.
Great, well-organized spring race!
I appreciate how well-organized this race is—and the timing is perfect for kicking off summer training in the twin cities. Minnehaha falls and the river road are beautiful even on … MORE
I appreciate how well-organized this race is—and the timing is perfect for kicking off summer training in the twin cities. Minnehaha falls and the river road are beautiful even on a drizzly day. One thought: I’d love a woman’s fit shirt!
Do the Half and Half Challenge
We partnered with Wisconsin and did the Half and Half Challenge for an extra medal. We stayed at the Radisson (rented a car) and drove to the start - about … MORE
We partnered with Wisconsin and did the Half and Half Challenge for an extra medal. We stayed at the Radisson (rented a car) and drove to the start – about a mile – shuttle took us back to the start. Good race, nice volunteers. Expo was small.
Very nice run
- course difficulty: quite flat, few incline/declines. Nothing major. Elevation map picture uploaded. 2 of 4 of us got a PR!!! The 2 shoe vs 1 shoe rating is bc … MORE
– course difficulty: quite flat, few incline/declines. Nothing major. Elevation map picture uploaded. 2 of 4 of us got a PR!!! The 2 shoe vs 1 shoe rating is bc of all the pot holes/ road conditions. Had to pay attention to your footing throughout most of the course.
Course Scenery- “what scenery?” Jk. My mom said that bc she spent so much time looking at her footing. We crossed over 3 bridges. Some good views! I unfortunately didn’t take pictures bc of going for a PR! There was quite a bit of running through neighborhoods (there were some nice houses!!) good community involvement though. Really good encouragement overall.
Race production- bib pick up was smooth. No expo. But it was a small race so not expected. The run was a one way run. Easy & close parking that was clearly marked and had attendants. There was a shuttle to take you back to the start/ parking area after, so no need to coordinate transportation. Start was on time, they literally had a minute by minute lay out of the pre run schedule. Aid stations were well manned. Mostly offered water and Nuun. One booth with maple packets. Volunteers were great! Zero complaints!
Race Swag- just the expected. Tech shirt. Men and women sizes. They’re very nice and thin. Extra points for that. Medal. Medal is nice, but it’s the same one for 5k, 10k, and 21k. 😭 the ribbon part was Velcro . I’ve never seen that before! Some good snacks at the end- beef sticks, energy snacks, and a few other things I don’t actually recognize but got! And you could get a free beer or cider. They also had a non alcoholic apple cider.
Post race photo opps were plentiful- much to the dismay of my sister who suffered through many pictures for us- because it was her birthday! Ooh, and a PR bell!
Over all a very nice local type run. Nothing that stood out as extraordinary (hence the 3 shoes) but if in the area, I’d definitely run it again!
Pictures in coming
Beautiful course!
It was a beautiful course, with a few easy hills , we crossed the Mississippi River a few times & the race ended in a park. Not a lot of … MORE
It was a beautiful course, with a few easy hills , we crossed the Mississippi River a few times & the race ended in a park. Not a lot of spectators on the course so it was a pretty quiet race. The race was a point to point so we were bused back to the start make sure you know your drop off point. That got a little confusing if you’re not from the area. We didn’t do a drop bag and we wished we would have because it was windy & cool after running. Overall a nice race! My friend got a 3 min PR (picture below) ☺️
Down the hill.... up the inclines
Race Day. Arrived at 730am to get free parking( success) race started on time. Lord, we started downhill, with 1 steep up- hill. Then it was little up- hills. My … MORE
Race Day. Arrived at 730am to get free parking( success) race started on time. Lord, we started downhill, with 1 steep up- hill. Then it was little up- hills. My legs told me repeatedly, what are we doing.. 😆. But we made it through. Crowd support okay, better at the end..After race fuel bananas, of course water, chips, protein bars. Since we ran from one point to the next. We were bussed back to the start.. which felt like the longest bu
Gorgeous course, well organized.
Beautiful course, well organized production. Weather was perfect for running only a bit windy. You run through some lovely neighborboods and end in a park, crossing over the Mississippi three … MORE
Beautiful course, well organized production. Weather was perfect for running only a bit windy. You run through some lovely neighborboods and end in a park, crossing over the Mississippi three times. There are several minor up and down hills, but nothing killer. Nice tech T-shirt. Late start time enabled a seamless day-of packet pickup. Glad that the medal wasn’t oversized, I’m tired of the bricks some races hand out these days.
Great Race, my 32nd state!
Beautiful course, relatively flat, great weather. I enjoyed running past the beautiful, old, Victorian mansions throughout. Running through Minnehaha park near the river was also enjoyable. MORE
Beautiful course, relatively flat, great weather. I enjoyed running past the beautiful, old, Victorian mansions throughout. Running through Minnehaha park near the river was also enjoyable.
Well run with easy logistics
Race is out and back on a closed road mostly along the river. Course is wide and straight so there is plenty of room to pass/be passed. Water stops were … MORE
Race is out and back on a closed road mostly along the river. Course is wide and straight so there is plenty of room to pass/be passed. Water stops were spot on and volunteers were nice and competent. A few rolling hills 500 elevation gain.
Race is fairly small a few hundred people for the half and 10k combined which start at the same time. Course was easily followed.. A local race with most from Minneapolis area. Parking was a bit of a challenge with spots filling up fast, get there early or take the free mass transit.
Race website and emails had everything you needed to know. Shirt and medal were ok. Nothing special.
Awesome Race!
Very impressed by this race and will definitely do it again. It was a really fun course, great aid stations. There is one boring stretch at the half-way point but … MORE
Very impressed by this race and will definitely do it again. It was a really fun course, great aid stations. There is one boring stretch at the half-way point but it doesn’t last very long. This is one of the most organized races I have participated in.
Minnesota's Rite of Spring
Always a great race. This is a Minnesota tradition. Well organized, beautiful course and always without fail unpredictable weather. I really enjoy this race and would recommend it. They also … MORE
Always a great race. This is a Minnesota tradition. Well organized, beautiful course and always without fail unpredictable weather. I really enjoy this race and would recommend it. They also offer a 10K and 5K (I think).