Press Release - Twin Cities Marathon - 8/23/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                        Contact: Kristine Smith
                                                 Twin Cities Marathon, Inc.
                                                 763-287-3888 ext. 13
                                                 

          Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. Voluntarily Increases 
                     Drug Testing at 2007 Events

USA Track & Field Has Selected Medtronic TC 10 Mile for Drug Testing:  Twin 
Cities Marathon, Inc. Will Also Test at Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

(Minneapolis, MN) –Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. will support the USA Track 
and Field (USATF) "Zero Tolerance" anti-doping policy by voluntarily 
increasing the number of elite athletes to be tested Sunday, October 7.

USATF selected the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, which is the host of the 2007 USA 
Men's 10 Mile Championship, as part of its program to test elite athletes 
competing at championship events.  Athletes tested at championship events 
are selected randomly by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and funding for 
this testing is supported by USADA and the U.S. Olympic Committee.  Costs 
to test average between $300 and $500 per athlete.

"Twin Cities Marathon, Inc., supports the efforts to keep the sport of 
running clean", said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director Virginia 
Brophy Achman.  "We agree with race officials around the country, including 
Grandma's Marathon, that testing for performance enhancing drugs sends the 
message that runners and wheelers can expect a fair competition.  We've 
chosen to increase testing beyond what would normally be conducted and 
believe the cost we will incur to do this is part of the responsibility of 
operating a successful, respected event that supports true athletic 
ability."    
 
USATF announced the "Zero Tolerance" anti-doping plan in 2003 with a focus 
on increasing education, identifying athletes using performance enhancing 
drugs and increasing punishments and fines for cheating athletes and their 
coaches.

"USA Track & Field is committed to playing a bigger role in how we 
influence athletes and those around athletes to not make the tragic choice 
to cheat," said USATF CEO Craig Masback.  "We are pleased to see events 
like the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon take these steps to help ensure a 
level playing field for all athletes."  

Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is also host to the 2007 USA Masters Marathon 
Men and Women Championships.

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