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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: 454 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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U. K. from San Jose, CA
(10/8/2010)
"2010 edition of TCM deserves perfect 10!" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great crowd support: Residents are out in the cold to support the runners. Right from the gun, till the finish in St. Paul, there are crowds of people cheering for you. Kids extend their hands for high-fiving runners, people are cheering their friends and relatives and other runners, and distributing fruit and candy at some sports. Close to the finish, I saw Al Franken cheering for the runners (nope, I was not hallucinating). Course is very pretty. It darts through Minneapolis downtown, then curves around lakes (Calhoun, Nokomis) and parks where the fall colors are striking. You run along the west bank of Mississippi, cross the bridge to the St. Paul side where you can see mansions along Summit Ave. (if you have the energy to lift your head up). St. Paul Cathedral and the state capitol are breathtaking sights. Weather this year was perfect - low of 40, high of 60, sunny, mild wind. So this year was extremely good running weather. Organization: You start at the Metrodome and can stay warm inside till the race start. Aid stations are well placed with volunteers handing out PowerAde and water and keeping the place clean for runners. Mile markers are easy to find with race clocks. They gave out soup at the finish line (it is to die for!). Massage tent lines were moving briskly. Sweat checks at the beginning and end were very efficient. Race photos are numerous. These folks really did a good with the organization. Runners: There are two corrals (1 for the speedier ones, 2 for others). There are enough pace groups but I could not latch on to mine as I was too far back. | |
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J. M. from Marietta, GA
(10/7/2010)
"Loved it!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Choosing this over other large races is a no-brainer. The course is pretty, doesn't get congested, is flat (but not a pancake), and the temperature is almost certain to be comfortable for long-distance running. The crowds are enthusiastic and constant. Sorry I have to bring this up, but male runners need to know that the Metrodome men's rooms have almost no stalls. Lines are long and slow. One more thing: the staff at the water stations were exceptional. Cups were appropriately filled, and volunteers called out whether they were serving PowerAde or water, they made eye contact, and were great about clearing used cups off the road. We runners often take volunteers for granted. We shouldn't; this group shone. | |
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R. N. from Versailles, Ky.
(10/6/2010)
"This is a fantastic marathon." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After running a couple of half-marathons, I decided to give a full marathon a try. I read the reviews from several different marathons across the country and noticed runners had nothing but positive things to say about the Twin Cities Marathon. Based on that I chose to run Twin Cities. I have to say the entire event was awesome. The runners' expo and race packet pickup at the St. Paul RiverCenter was well organized and had lots of good stuff to buy. The race course was beautiful with fall colors and lakes. The fan support was spectacular and they were loud too. They did a great job cheering runners on. Plenty of water/PowerAde stations. Some hills along the course, which made it challenging. Plenty of bus transportation, which was free for runners. Overall, a very well organized event. I think the volunteers did a great job. I would recommend this race to anyone who has not run this before. You have to finish the race in the alloted time to receive your finisher's shirt and medal. | |
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Elfi Ortenburger from Salt Lake City , Utah
(10/6/2010)
"Fabulous!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 15th marathon and is now my favorite. The only one negative thing was the roads/paths were narrow at some points and it was hard to get around people especially with so many runners wearing headphones. I am a 4:30 finisher and our pace has the most runners. A fellow participant who finished at 4:00 said it was more spread out for her. I would run this race again and again! | |
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C. G. from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(10/6/2010)
"Simply Incredible!" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My reason for signing-up for the MTC Marathon was because of its glowing reviews from previous years. I was NOT disappointed. The spectators were AMAZING! The course was BEAUTIFUL! The hills at the end weren't my favorite, but not every race can be flat. I had a great time and highly recommend this one. | |
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J. V. from Louisville, KY
(10/5/2010)
"Sounds and sights - a joy to behold" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Others have commented with similar sentiments, but I have to add mine - the finish is to die for, especially for the 2010 race run in beautiful, cool, sunny, fall weather. The view from the cathedral at the top of the hill looking down to the finish and the state capitol grounds is a heart-stopper. The fans are wonderful, including former Viking great Alan Page, who plays tuba. There were numerous bands and cheering spectators. I only heard Rocky once and I didn't hear "Eye of the Tiger" at all. The lakes make for nice scenery - but the path got very narrow in places, and they won't be able to let the number of runners increase due to that. For me, I was hoping for a Boston qualifier; I missed it due to being unable to keep up my pace for the last six miles - it's uphill for part of the last six, and that made the difference for me. But overall, it's not too hilly; I've run courses that were tougher. I'd call it "medium" in terms of toughness, but top-notch for everything else. | |
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D. F. from Minneapolis, MN
(10/5/2010)
"Nearly perfect" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Twin Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the TCM for the past 14 years; but I still have to compliment (again) the organizers, volunteers and fans. The perfect weather this year made the 2010 TCM one of the best ever. My ONLY suggestion is to work with Metrodome management to convert some of the women's restrooms to men's, to try to balance out the waiting time. I thought this was done in past years; but it seemed no restrooms were converted this year. I realize women get the short end of restroom logistics in most older sporting venues, so there may not be much sympathy from female runners; but the lines get very long with only 2 toilets per men's room. | |
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D. B. from The Miami of Minnesota
(10/4/2010)
"Action-packed and pleasant course" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran TCM for the second time. Once again, very well organized, with loads and loads of crowd support, and lots of action all around - some of the neighborhoods went all out with cheering. Things I liked: 1) Crowds throughout course 2) Expo was nicely done, with lots of goodies 3) Finisher shirt was a very cool, long-sleeve technical, yet again 4) Lots of volunteers all over the place for the races Saturday and Sunday 5) Unique support that I got to see again (MN Supreme Court Justice Page on the tuba about 3.5 miles in, Gumby handing out licorice, the big flag hoisted over the 26th mile by ladder trucks that you see as you crest the final part of Summit) 6) Super-fun atmosphere for family events Saturday 7) Lots and lots of folks giving out PowerAde/water 8) Metrodome was great place to stay warm before the start 9) Race-tracker was awesome for family and friends 10) Vaseline tubs every few miles with volunteers - no chafing on some random hotspots this time. 11) Gorgeous course with leaves just starting to turn, the lakes, the river and the glory of the capitol Improvements that could be made: 1) While the porta-potty situation seemed a bit better than before, there was still a lot of wall-peeing at mile 1 and lines at every stop 2) The 2nd corral was overflowing - it seemed that 1/3 of the corral was after the 5:45 pace, so they need to make an adjustment there 3) May want to help hotels in the area with information to help runners email managers with road closures, recommended breakfast for runners, etc. but maybe that was just an issue for my hotel 4) Gets a little skinny when headed for bike path around one of the lakes - maybe more of a warning posted high up? 5) I would like more access to drinks after the finish - PowerAde and water just as you cross. And something with more protein - milk and/or yogurt a possiblity? 6) Personal recommendation: get in line for porta-potties by 7:10 so that you can get to the start by 7:30ish. | |
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L. E. from Sauk Rapids, MN
(10/4/2010)
"Wonderful Marathon!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I don't normally give races 5 stars in all categories, but the Twin Cities Marathon was truly an amazing experience from start to finish! I used to live in Minneapolis and ran these streets all the time, but it was so different and more fun being back as part of this event. The course is beautiful, winding through the lakes, historic neighborhoods, past the Basilica and the St. Paul Cathedral (with bells chiming), and an awesome downhill finish to the Capitol. The weather was PERFECT this year, about 40 at the start and maybe low 50s at the finish, and the fall colors were just breathtaking. I was especially amazed by all of the fan support from start to finish - it seemed like entire neighborhoods came out to cheer and support runners. It is also bike-friendly for spectators, so I was able to see my husband at least a dozen times! Aid stations were plentiful and easy to navigate, though they did get a little congested at times. Volunteers were great and enthusiastic. Finisher's shirt was awesome, though the medal seemed a little plain to me (compared to others I have gotten for smaller races). Expo was well organized and easy to get through with lots of great vendors. I don't normally do the same race twice, but I might be back for this one! Thanks, Twin Cities in Motion!! | |
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A. S. from Lake Elmo, MN
(10/4/2010)
"Always had been and always will be awesome" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Twin Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course is gorgeous with the combination of lakes and fall colors. Fans line the streets the whole way and are very enthusiastic. Plenty of water and PowerAde on the course. In 2010 it was especially great because the weather was absolutely perfect!! This is always a top-notch marathon. The only warning I have is it is not as flat as some people say, so just be aware of that. |
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