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Twin Cities Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Twin Cities Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 455 [displaying comments 401 to 411]
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A Runner from Orlando, FL (10/4/2002)
"Fantastic first marathon." (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon, so can't say much in comparison to other races, but I know that I WILL be back next year. The course is mostly residential with great surroundings and scenery. The combination of local residents and race fans made for fantastic support and cheering. It made the miles go by so fast. Being able to warm up in the comforts of the MetroDome was very helpful. The view coming down the hill from the Basilica to the finish in front of the state capital was a great experience.

 

A Runner from Pittsburgh (10/4/2002)
"A great marathon every way" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I've run many marathons and was very impressed with Twin Cities. The spectator support was there the entire course. The 'most beautiful urban marathon' is accurate. The organizers were great. I ran with a pace team and had a blast. This course would be great for first timers or for an experienced runner looking for a PR

 

A Runner from Trout Creek, Michigan (10/4/2002)
"First marathon was incredible." (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The Twin Cities Marathon 2002 was my first marathon. It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. The spectators carried me when I thought I had nothing left. If you are only going to do one marathon, this is a beautiful one to do. The route is incredible, the lakes and beautiful homes certainly make it the 'Most Beautiful Urban Marathon'. The health expo on Sat. was great, listening to the motivational speakers was inspiring.
If I run another marathon it will be the Twin Cities Marathon. The organization for this race was great. My only comment would be that at the end of the race there could be more Medium shirts rather than XL and L. I had a wonderful time and want to thank everyone involved.

 

A Runner from Pittsburgh, PA (10/3/2002)
"The best of the best!!!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 10th marathon, and without a doubt my most enjoyable. It was extremely well organized, the course was scenic, rolling and fast, and the spectators were the most supportive of any marathon I have run. I've been to Chicago, Pittsburgh, Columbus, New York, and DC, and none compare with the overall experience that I had at the Twin Cities event. I'll be back in 2003!

 

A Runner from Tampa, FL (10/3/2002)
"Mind-blowingly awesome experience!!!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I cannot imagine ever doing a marathon I will enjoy more than Twin Cities. The course truly is the most varied, distracting and beautiful I've seen. The support staff was friendly, energized and way beyond competent. The fans lining the route - with their dogs and their kids - were a delight. The view of the finish line from atop the final hill almost brought tears to my eyes. I will do this one again and again, and will recommend it to everyone.

 

A Runner from Kodiak, AK (10/3/2002)
"Outstanding course, fans, and organization!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is only my third marathon and I enjoyed everything! The scenery around the lakes and through the neighborhoods helped take my mind off the running. I especially enjoyed all the enthusiastic fans along the route-it definitely kept me motivated to keep going! Many thanks to the volunteers and organizers for making my third race exciting and fun!

 

A Runner from Washington, DC (10/2/2002)
"Everything a marathon should be!!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my second marathon after doing NYC in 2000. TCM is a great point-to-point marathon between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Registration had no lines, although it is in St. Paul which is about 20 miles away. The Metrodome is open before the start so there are plenty of flush toilets and running water -- what a luxury!

I was told that the crowds were down a bit this year, and certainly it is nothing like NYC, which has people four deep for 26.2 miles. But there are still plenty of spectators.

The course is very flat except for the two mile hill at mile 20.5 It is not a steep hill, but you will definitely slow maybe 15 - 40 seconds per mile depending on your initial pace.

The finsher t-shirts were great this year. Unfortunately, I lost mine, so if you have an XL you want to sell, contact me at marathonrunner@xemaps.com
because I'm paying top dollar.

 

A Runner from Robins, Iowa (10/2/2002)
"First Timer !" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I was never a runner, never dreamed of being a runner so, 'Why would I want to run 26.2 miles?'

I was encouraged by a friend to train with him for the Twin Cities Marathon 'next September' (2002). I figured I would show him that I couldn't run and gracefully bow out of the challenge. It didn't work. We trained throughout the winter on the treadmill and began running outside in the spring of 2002. I started enjoying running and agreed to submit my registration for the TCM. We continued to train during the summer and early fall with our longest run being 21 miles. Then September 29th came along. We agreed to run together no matter what happened. We set a goal of 4 hours to complete the race, but I started having problems with my Achilles tendon in my left leg. I wanted to continue so we slowed down. I enjoyed the excitement and the spectators were outstanding. We finished the race and plan to train for another marathon in 2004.

 

A Runner from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (10/2/2002)
"A marathon you have to run" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


The Twin Cities Marathon bills itself as the top urban marathon in the United States and after running in the 2002 event, I don't doubt this moniker for a single moment. The route was absolutely amazing - just when you think it couldn't get any better it did. The volunteers along the way were superb. The spectators - who lined the route from the start line right through to the finish line - were fantastic. My wife and I ran in Canada gear and we were constantly encouraged by cheers of 'Go Canada' from the spectators. The expo was very good with everything and anything a runner could want to purchase. The only negatives of the weekend was the pasta dinner on Saturday and the finish area for the slower runners. The pasta dinner was horrible - one type of pasta and some rubber chicken. For $14 a person the runners deserve more. Runners who took longer than 4:45 to finish also found the finish area to be rather barren. The famous soup broth was gone, and there was nothing else left to eat. And the finishers tee shirts were only available in XL, XXL and medium at this point. Why do runners indicate a tee shirt size on the entry form if they can't be guaranteed of getting the right size. Don't get me wrong though, these are just minor glitches. We were very pleased with the Twin Cities experience and would encourage runners who haven't done this race to enter for the 2003 event.

 

Sergei Grigorian from Atlanta, Georgia, USA (10/2/2002)
"Best spectator support anywhere" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I've run a couple of marathons in the last few years, including New York City, and I can honestly say that in spectator support this race is second to none. I didn't have a good race and missed a lot of scenery in the second half, but I remember constant and overwhelming support along the course. I don't write my name anywhere (I figure, most American's can't pronounce it on the first try), but when I was having a hard time in the last few miles, people kept yelling encouragement using my race number, something like: 'Keep going, 2509, you can do it!'. Anyway, the race is well organized, and the course is great, as long as you remember about the hills after the 21-mile mark. All roads are completely closed to traffic, so all you have to worry about is getting to the finish line under your own steam. I would recommend this race to novice and veteran alike.

 

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