I have run in this race several times, always as part of a corporate team in the Corporate Challenge. This is a USATF certified and chip-timed course that is very … MORE
I have run in this race several times, always as part of a corporate team in the Corporate Challenge. This is a USATF certified and chip-timed course that is very professionally produced. There are typically 2,000+ runners in this race. You will need to train on hills if you don’t want to have a bad time – the first 1/2 mile is about 80 feet of elevation change, all up, and it can take the wind out of your sails for the balance of the next 2.6 miles. The middle part of the course is small rolling hills and then you get the 80 feet of downhill elevation change at the end. This is a big event, it is the day before the Medtronic Marathon on the Sunday following this Saturday race. There is a lot of fanfare and it is fun, with hundreds of spectators along the course. If you are in the Twin Cities area around early October, you should think about this race!
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Medtronic TC 5K and Corporate Challenge
I have run in this race several times, always as part of a corporate team in the Corporate Challenge. This is a USATF certified and chip-timed course that is very … MORE
I have run in this race several times, always as part of a corporate team in the Corporate Challenge. This is a USATF certified and chip-timed course that is very professionally produced. There are typically 2,000+ runners in this race. You will need to train on hills if you don’t want to have a bad time – the first 1/2 mile is about 80 feet of elevation change, all up, and it can take the wind out of your sails for the balance of the next 2.6 miles. The middle part of the course is small rolling hills and then you get the 80 feet of downhill elevation change at the end. This is a big event, it is the day before the Medtronic Marathon on the Sunday following this Saturday race. There is a lot of fanfare and it is fun, with hundreds of spectators along the course. If you are in the Twin Cities area around early October, you should think about this race!
Awesome event with great crowd support
Everything about this race is awesome. Crowd support the entire race. Cool fall temperatures. Well organized start area and finish area. Highly recommended event. MORE
Everything about this race is awesome. Crowd support the entire race. Cool fall temperatures. Well organized start area and finish area. Highly recommended event.
Garbage people manage this race.
As an actually good runner, you will cry on the sidelines watching silly people in tutus fool around with what could be sport. This is a beautiful course, an excellent … MORE
As an actually good runner, you will cry on the sidelines watching silly people in tutus fool around with what could be sport. This is a beautiful course, an excellent race, a wonderful time of year, and a great chance for a runner to be at their best. Unfortunately being a good runner WON’T get you in. Lottery! Fun! TCM has been consistently total garbage when it comes to actually caring about the sport. There must be some profit in that. Sad to say, I won’t try my luck at this ridiculous lottery for characters again. TCM, you besmirch the sport.
Huge race, smooth production!
It always amazes me how well they pull off this race - it’s huge with both the 10 miler and full marathon on the same day. I enjoy the course … MORE
It always amazes me how well they pull off this race – it’s huge with both the 10 miler and full marathon on the same day. I enjoy the course although the hills can be challenging and also Summit Avenue, my gosh the city needs to do something about that road. It’s in terrible condition and saw several runners take a tumble on the bumps and cracks. So it is a bit hazardous. But after surviving that stretch soon comes the awesome downhill finish to the State Capitol, always so glad to see! Great race and great fall weather in Minnesota is a must to experience.
Fun, but challenging hill miles 20-23
The race starts in Minneapolis and finishes in St. Paul. Don't stress about where to stay (near the start or near the finish) since they provide shuttles from St. Paul … MORE
The race starts in Minneapolis and finishes in St. Paul. Don’t stress about where to stay (near the start or near the finish) since they provide shuttles from St. Paul to the starting line. I stayed in St. Paul because I didn’t want to wait to get back to my hotel. St. Paul has a good light rail system.
I started out a bit too fast because my watch wouldn’t pick up my pace due to the tall buildings in downtown Minneapolis. About a mile or so in, my watch finally “clicked” and I saw that I was going about a minute/mile faster than I would have liked. My bad.
Nice scenery running past the lakes and the Mississippi River. Very well supported. Good entertainment along the course. Even though I knew about the big uphill from miles 20-23, it still was a bear getting through it. I walked more than I would like to admit. 🙂
Great finish at the state capital. One word of warning. If you do not carry your ID with you, you cannot get the free beer at the end of the race. I was 57 and they wouldn’t serve me.
Great course
Lovely race. Come visit MN for this one. Large well organized race with great get together at the end. Run through beautiful historic Minneapolis homes. MORE
Lovely race. Come visit MN for this one. Large well organized race with great get together at the end.
Run through beautiful historic Minneapolis homes.
Beautiful Race
The cheer squads along the route were AWESOME! The roads were okay, some rough spots but overall great race and very well put together! Can’t wait to do it again! … MORE
The cheer squads along the route were AWESOME! The roads were okay, some rough spots but overall great race and very well put together! Can’t wait to do it again!
Spectators are FANTABULOUS!
Start to finish, the spectators/fans are lined up and ready to cheer you on with posters, high-fives, bananas, oranges, candy, beer, mimosa's, ENERGY! It was the best race I've run … MORE
Start to finish, the spectators/fans are lined up and ready to cheer you on with posters, high-fives, bananas, oranges, candy, beer, mimosa’s, ENERGY! It was the best race I’ve run thanks to the crowds who are so involved!
Incredible!
~BEAUTIFUL scenery from Minneapolis to St. Paul ~Great course; tons of landmarks + no repeating roads in the 26.2 miles ~Crowd support was PHENOMENAL ~Expo was fantastic ~Nice moderate hills … MORE
~BEAUTIFUL scenery from Minneapolis to St. Paul
~Great course; tons of landmarks + no repeating roads in the 26.2 miles
~Crowd support was PHENOMENAL
~Expo was fantastic
~Nice moderate hills to give the course variety. The 2 mile long hill on Summit in and of itself isn’t hard but it comes at mile 20 which is a challenge but a GREAT feeling to conquer
~Qualified for Boston on this course!
1 RACE OUT OF 3 FOR THE LOONY CHALLENGE
This was the only race that could be ran for the Loony challenge. The day was great, chilly start, some crazy long hills but a fun route with a lot … MORE
This was the only race that could be ran for the Loony challenge. The day was great, chilly start, some crazy long hills but a fun route with a lot of crowd support. It was disappointing to not be able to do the full loony challenge because the first day was cancelled due to rain. But regardless the swag was very disappointing considering what we paid for the challenge. The additional swag was an insulated mug, years past it has been a jacket. And for the 10 and 5k race whether it happened or not there was one medal, one shirt, nothing exclusive for each of the races. Kind of cheap! I probably will not attempt the Loony challenge again unless I really need to do it all. Give me some time to figure that out, but I have a lot of other challenges I have done and am doing, so it’s not knowing I can do it, it’s just the TC Loony!
Absolutely gorgeous, challenging run
Lived up to its namesake at the most beautiful urban marathon. I really enjoyed running in and around the neighborhoods and lakes. Well structured course that lands you in St. … MORE
Lived up to its namesake at the most beautiful urban marathon. I really enjoyed running in and around the neighborhoods and lakes. Well structured course that lands you in St. Paul at the end.
Excellent community support and enthusiasm throughout. I did well for this one and just had a really nice time experiencing Minneapolis.
RACE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
So disappointed this was cancelled 1 out of the 3 races for the Loony challenge, the 5K was cancelled too. But even if I had been able to run very … MORE
So disappointed this was cancelled 1 out of the 3 races for the Loony challenge, the 5K was cancelled too. But even if I had been able to run very disappointed in the challenge in comparison to past years. I wanted to do the challenge because of the physical challenge but when paying more you do want the swag too. The “extra” swag was an insulated cup and they gave the same shirt and medal to both 5k and 10k racers. There was nothing exclusive about each race. I don’t think I will attempt the Loony again,
RACE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
So disappointed this was cancelled 1 out of the 3 races for the Loony challenge, the 10K was cancelled too. But even if I had been able to run very … MORE
So disappointed this was cancelled 1 out of the 3 races for the Loony challenge, the 10K was cancelled too. But even if I had been able to run very disappointed in the challenge in comparison to past years. I wanted to do the challenge because of the physical challenge but when paying more you do want the swag too. The “extra” swag was an insulated cup and they gave the same shirt and medal to both 5k and 10k racers. There was nothing exclusive about each race. I don’t think I will attempt the Loony again,
Earns best urban marathon title
well run production, great swag, very nice expo, strong city support, little to no bad views throughout the run. I've done this course 4+ times and plan to do it … MORE
well run production, great swag, very nice expo, strong city support, little to no bad views throughout the run. I’ve done this course 4+ times and plan to do it again. It can be quite cold at the start.
Great race
You’ll have a great time at this one. Great route and fun finish at the Bank of America stadium. Stay for the Vikings game after! Can be a little chilly. … MORE
You’ll have a great time at this one. Great route and fun finish at the Bank of America stadium. Stay for the Vikings game after! Can be a little chilly.
Challenging and beautiful
This is the 2nd time I’ve run this race and I’m planning on coming back next year. The weather has been perfect running weather. Even though this is a challenging … MORE
This is the 2nd time I’ve run this race and I’m planning on coming back next year. The weather has been perfect running weather. Even though this is a challenging course with rolling hills it’s my fastest marathon times. I loved the crowd support and the beautiful course. The race was very organized and easy logistics.
Most Scenic Urban Marathon (AS BILLED!)
From the start next to the new Vikings football stadium to the finish by the state capitol, this point to point road chip-timed marathon features lots of lakefront, stately old … MORE
From the start next to the new Vikings football stadium to the finish by the state capitol, this point to point road chip-timed marathon features lots of lakefront, stately old mansions, river crossings, fall color, bands, constant spectators and parkways with some significant ups and downs, hard surfaces and uncertain weather, although more apt to be cold and wet than hot and dry. Due to the large number of participants, runners now start from 3 corrals. I began midway in the 3rd corral this year. I was about 15 minutes behind the lead runners when I crossed the start line. I am now 68 and slow, i.e. I now do a combination of 50% walk – 50% run. 20 years ago I ran this race under 3.5 hours – now 5.5 hours. I have enjoyed this race 23 of the last 25 years. Twice I was running a 100-mile ultra that day instead. It has a good expo with convenient packet pickup. The finish line is well organized, albeit crowded with modest post-race food (Gatorade, water, yogurt, fruit cups, bananas, energy bars, chocolate milk, broth and whole wheat muffins). Your name and residence city-state is announced as you approach the finish line. There are finish line and mid-race photos available. You have good access to bus or train transport from the finish line to the start of the race. I recommend parking at the finish and taking the bus. More toilets along the course would be nice. Beverage (energy drink first and water second) is served every 2-3 miles, although it should be on both sides of the road at each aid station, given the large number of runners. There are faster races to qualify for Boston if qualifying is a goal and a challenge for you. There are races less crowded, fewer turns, more downhill and with softer surfaces. I have qualified for the Boston marathon 7 times, finished a marathon or beyond in every state, finished 144 marathons, but although close a couple times, I NEVER qualified for Boston at this race. Expect to pay $10-20 to park for the expo and start of the race – or be prepared to walk (a mile maybe) before and after the race or packet pickup. When the Metrodome existed, runners warmed up inside at the start. Now with the new Vikings stadium, runners have NOT been allowed inside, so waiting up to an hour outside before the start of the race is often cold (frosty ground) and potentially wet. BE PREPARED, as you likely will use the complementary drop bag service for warmup clothing transport to the finish line, where mylar thermal blankets are distributed. The past couple years, cloth gloves (useful!) were included in packet pickup. Also be ready for the mostly uphill miles 19-23 as they come at a tiring time of the race.
It is a BEAutiful race!
It is a great race with beautiful scenery. You run through the city, around the lakes, and along the river. Plenty of spectators to cheer you on and provide support. … MORE
It is a great race with beautiful scenery. You run through the city, around the lakes, and along the river. Plenty of spectators to cheer you on and provide support. A great race overall and well run. I was injured so not a PR. I plan to tackle it again in 2019.
Well run
Great course! Almost always a good weather weekend. Let's hope for the same next year! A really fun event for both racers and spectators. The course was set up and … MORE
Great course! Almost always a good weather weekend. Let’s hope for the same next year! A really fun event for both racers and spectators. The course was set up and organized very well. The volunteers were awesome, and the race ran very smoothly from what I could see.
Spectators carried me the whole way!
The spectators at this race are constant! I didn't think much about my body at all because there was so much cheering along the way to keep your spirits up! … MORE
The spectators at this race are constant! I didn’t think much about my body at all because there was so much cheering along the way to keep your spirits up! Make sure to run the tangent, I ended up running 26.6 instead. The corral start went smoothly, and the finish line as well. It seemed like a ways to walk through everything, but I felt it was reasonable considering runner safety. It was nice to have a changing tent to get into warmer clothes, too. Take some time to hang out and walk around afterwards. I was rushed and totally missed my free beer and the PR bell. For spectators: my crew saw me four times, but that is probably about max unless you bike and are able to follow near the route.