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Twin Cities Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Twin Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 455 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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M. B. from Washington, DC
(10/5/2009)
"Wonderful experience for a first-time marathoner" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Running the Twin Cities Marathon was a wonderful experience from start to finish! I had chosen this for my first marathon mainly because of others' comments about the race: great course and spectators, and I could not agree more. PROS: -Start Line: One of the best starting situations of any major marathon out there, from what I've heard others describe. You can wait inside in the warm Metrodome until the start time. -Course: The race bills itself as the "Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America," and I have no trouble believing it. The first two miles pass through downtown Minneapolis, but almost immediately you shift to 13 miles or so of running around (and over) four beautiful, tree-lined lakes in beautiful neighborhoods, where it seems like everyone not running has come out to cheer you on. Miles 15-19 are running up a road next to the Mississippi River and then you cross over the river itself to St. Paul. The last seven or so involve racing up another pretty tree-lined street with mansions on either side and then ending up at the state capitol building. In addition to being pretty, the course has a lot of special details. It was really motivating to pass by the two big cathedrals (at the start, and at the end in St. Paul) which were both ringing their bells in full glory. It was also special to run by the large American flag on the way to the finish line. -Spectators: Iave never run Chicago, NYC, or Boston, but it's hard to imagine better spectators than in the Twin Cities. The whole course - especially in the neighborhoods bordering the lakes and on Summit Avenue in St. Paul - was packed with loud, sign-waving, music-playing spectators. I really appreciated the strangers who shouted individual encouragement to my race bib number as I climbed the big hill in St. Paul. It was hard to slow down when so many people were cheering. -Organization: Something not to be overlooked is how good the organization was here. My only previous race experience was running the Salt Lake City Half-Marathon (which is run with the marathon and is combined a smaller race than this). At that event, bag pickup was a disaster and took over an hour. Here, it was perfectly organized; there was no waiting in lines - you showed up and your sweat bag was in your hands immediately. It was easy to meet up with family, and also, the finish line is well organized so that you don't immediately have to stop and get bunched up. CONS: There weren't really any major cons, but here are a few things to be aware of. -Weather: I get the sense that the weather can be pretty variable. This year, the weather was pretty good (~50ish and cloudy), but I may have also had good timing; I heard it poured at some other points on the course but I only got very light drizzle once. But in the two years prior, I heard that it was cool with some thunderstorms one year and then 80+ the other. So this is not a marathon where you are practically guaranteed one weather outcome or anything. -Narrowness of some early parts of the course: This wasn't a huge issue for me, but the early parts of the course around the lakes are pretty narrow. Since I started in the very back, I had to weave my way through traffic for the first 5+ miles. So my only advice is that if you want to avoid this, try to situate yourself in the starting corral relative to how fast you plan on running the race. Overall though, these are pretty small considerations, and should not stop you from running it. It was truly a wonderful experience. I can't thank the organizers and the people of the Twin Cities enough! Run this marathon! You will not be disappointed! | |
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J. K. from Lincoln, NE
(10/5/2009)
"Perfect marathon - perfect day." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A+ to everything for this race. Great crowds, beautiful course with a deceivingly difficult last 10K, and excellent organization. I would only have two little problems with the race. The second corral setup was so narrow and the pace signs were way too close together. I wanted to run with the 3:50 pace group but couldn't get any closer than the 4:30 pace group at the starting line (since I didn't get to the corral til 15 minutes before the race, thanks to the lack of men's toilets in the Metrodome). The only other nit was trying to maze through the expo to find packet pickup - but that isn't a big deal either. If that's all I could come up with, it must have been a pretty good race, huh? | |
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Bill Law from Florida
(10/5/2009)
"Most runner-centered event I've participated in!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2009 event could not have been more well run. I've done 25 marathons (big and small) and this was the best organized I've experienced. Communication with runners was good, the schedule was maintained, and the expo was robust. The course is very nice - an easy run through park neighborhoods. The volunteers are the best part - all very supportive, enthusiastic and encouraging. There were lots of great kids working the aid stations and the sweats retrieval area. A perfect 50-degree day made the experience a real gem. Come run and just enjoy the whole experience. | |
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C. B. from Canada
(5/22/2009)
"Beautiful course" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Twin Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon this year, as I ran it the previous year in the extreme heat. I had a PR this year. Even in the rain, the course is beautiful. Great fan support, considering the weather. | |
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N. K. from St. Paul, MN
(2/26/2009)
"Amazing First Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The rain was definitely a factor, but what a talking point! The crowds were unbelievable, and the layout allowed my family to see me SIX times on the course, I never could have done it without them. I absolutely recommend wearing a shirt with your name on it, as the crowds are so wonderful that I heard my name being called the whole way. How can you stop when everyone knows your name? So much fun, and such good memories. Thanks to Beth for becoming my running partner around mile 10. Also, I have never seen anything so inspiring as the cathedral and the giant flag and the capitol behind it. I can't wait to do this again next year; Minnesota, you are the best! | |
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T. B. from Minnetonka, MN
(1/19/2009)
"Awesome Race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Twin Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Twin Cities really is a beautiful and interesting course. I cannot imagine another marathon that goes through two large cities, but you never see industrial areas. The course is nice for a PR, and I set one in 2008. The rain and the wind added extra challenges, since the narrow paths around the chain of lakes flooded, but that's what comes with this hobby! There could be more water stops along the course, but since this year was cool, is wasn't as big an issue as in 2007. The fans are what drives this race. People stand rows deep and there's never a place on the course where there is no one cheering. They cheer for you even if they don't know you, and having your name on your shirt is awesome because someone cheering for you by name is always more personal. Perfect fall race to end the running year. | |
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C. T. from Richfield, MN
(12/27/2008)
"Awesome experience" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great one to start with. Fans were great! At a couple of points fans were serving beer. Not the beverage most marathoners are looking for, but I thought it was great. I could understand how people could get upset about the no headphones rule, but for this marathon I don't see why you need them anyway. I found it way too fun to listen to the cheering crowds that lined nearly the entire route to even want to wear headphones. I love the shirt and medal and the expo was great. | |
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Ty Gruszewski from Washington DC
(12/14/2008)
"One of Americas Best" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Twin Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A race that deserves praise. From the cathedral bells ringing at full glory at mile 1, to the THOUSANDS of fans who brave the elements, to the inspirational finish (people say that about every race, but I saw many seasoned marathoners tear up as they charged down into St. Paul and under a giant American flag), TCM does it right. One of the best mid-sized races in the country. | |
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J. C. from Washington, DC
(10/25/2008)
"Awesome Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I couldn't have done my first marathon any differently. Nothing is cooler than doing your hometown marathon - especially, when you have spent so much of life elsewhere. In my case, everything from seeing Alan Page on the tuba to the University of Minnesota alumni band to various TC landmarks to the State Capitol at the end made my day. I only wish that they were pouring post-race beers for marathoners at the end, but that is OK. Maybe MN liquor laws influence this. Also, I wish that some of the cool merchandise available at the expo showed up post-race. Since this was my first marathon, I didn't want to jinx myself by buying any TC Marathon goodies pre-race. As far as the headphones go, I use them for long training runs too, but think that people are missing out on the full experience if they run a well-attended marathon without them. If you know it's a rule and you've heard around the grapevine that it is enforced, then deal with the consequences. It isn't elitist and it isn't the Twin Cities Marathon trying to be something that it isn't. I've lived in and seen a lot of cities up close, and you would be very hard-pressed to find a marathon course that is entirely within the major cities' limits that would be as cool and scenic as this. | |
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M. W. from Kansas
(10/24/2008)
"Just wow." (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Highlights: 1. The course: downtown, lakes, forest, river, mansions, and the inspiring downhill finish to the capitol. In the middle miles, I kept gazing at the fall colored bluffs across the Mississippi. Gorgeous. 2. The Clif pacers: mine was perfect - even splits, good coaching, lots of encouragement the last 10K. 3. The crowd support! including: - A complete barnyard of spectators (dressed as cow, pig, chicken) in downtown Minneapolis. - High school and college bands set up playing sheet music in the storm. - A troupe playing giant taiko drums under a bridge near mile 10, the BOOMS echoing over the rain. - Signs near 21 such as "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. - Pre." I thought about that one for the next five miles. - All-out neighborhood parties with big tents set up, music blasting, people going nuts. Thank you! 4. The organization: - The start and finish areas were much less overwhelming than Chicago or Boston. This is partly due to size, but also due to volunteers and layout. Also, I'm a woman and had NO wait for a warm, clean bathroom towards the far side of the Metrodome. - The water stop organization actually impressed me. A volunteer would announce the side of the road ahead of time, then there were bottles, then cups of PowerAde, cups of water, another row of PowerAde cups and water cups, in case you changed your mind or needed more. Because I hydrated, fueled and paced well (thanks to some of the above), I actually ran a slightly negative split and didn't find Summit Avenue particularly challenging. The course was easier than I expected overall (from previous years' comments here). You notice the climb to the Mississippi River bridge and a couple of the hills in St. Paul, but nothing is killer. So don't write this off as just a scenic, non-PR course... I trained hard and PRed by 27 minutes. Enjoy and good luck! |
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