I ran this marathon (my fourth) and really liked it. What a great idea to start next to the Metrodome so exeryone could stay warm. There were actually 4 gates/entrances open so getting in and out was no problem unless you had a herd mentality. Plenty of WARM bathrooms on the inside.

The start was OK, but the fence they put up was a big mistake. People of all ability levels trying to scale a 7-8 foot fence to jump in line.

Course was wonderful. Great support from the crowd. Finish area was well organized. Only one of the many, many water stops was unorganized.

Will definitely run this one again!!

Race is very good. 'The most beautiful urban marathon' is not just a slogan. Some small areas of the race's organization could be improved but they are minor to the overall operation of the race. The neighborhoods were wonderful. Many thanks to the people of the Twin Cities area. It was a wonderful race on a beautiful day.

This is my second marathon and my girlfriend's first. Overall, the marathon and the fans were great, but here are two areas of improvement.

First, the Cliff Shots were gone at mile 16. This makes the marathon much more difficult when you plan on the extra energy at that point in the race. We could have supplied family members with shots if we had known the shots were unreliable.

Secondly, and most unimportantly, the website could use some work. The map is just about unprintable due to the format and information is buried. Call me nuts, but I think it builds excitement to log on once in a while to see what new update has been posted.

Thanks again to all who cheered us on, we really did enjoy the experience!

This is a fantastic event with incredible scenery, spectators, and organization. The 2003 edition also included absolutely perfect weather. I have run several marathons and half-marathons and the organization of this event couldn't be much better. I had no problems at all with water, Powerade, Cliff Shots, sweat drop, starting area, or finish area. One of the best benefits of this race is the 'seriousness' of the field. In some events I have run, a quarter of the participants walk the whole race, but refuse to start at the back. This makes for a very congested first mile or two. In this event, I started near the back of the starting shoot with some slower friends, but had no trouble running an 8-minute first mile because everyone was running. It sounds like some slower runners had a less than perfect experience this year and that should definitely be remedied. Everyone should get the great experience that I had.

Everything about the course, weather, volunteers, finish events, Saturday event, preparation materials, volunteer events were great. However, those running anything over a 4:30 race were left without all the same support as faster runners. Specifically - some water stations without cups and no more Cliff Shots at mile 20. This slower group is the group that needs this even more than anyone else, and to not have it because your pace is slower is not acceptable. Companies donating products need to make sure there are MORE than enough - not BARELY enough - supplies.

Other than that, it was a good experience that I hope to do again.

Quite possibly the best marathon out there. The course was simply beautiful, the fans were second to none, and the organization was topnotch. If I had to pick one thing to complain about, it would be the the Super Shuttle service from the airport to my hotel. But that's so insignificant in the overall scheme. The weather was beautiful, although a bit warm for my liking.

The hospitality of Minneapolis/St. Paul was excellent. TCM will be my fall marathon of choice without a doubt.

Well done... well done!!!

Beautiful course, well organized, awesome spectators, coolest finish line! This was my 9th marathon and I think it was the best overall. I would highly recommend it. I may be biased though - my husband and I both set PRs and qualified for Boston!

I have to be honest about the hills though - they are present throughout the course. Actually, I think the one at 21 that everyone talks about was not as bad as some of the others! There was one at ~16.5 that seemed to just take the wind right out of my sails. They are not so long or steep as to be 'BAD' hills, but they do get to you after a while. Look closely at the course profile and be prepared!

Don't let this scare you away - it is an awesome race and you can definitely run a fast time here - but make sure you train on some hills so your legs are ready!

This was my 3rd marathon, but first Twin Cities. It truly lived up to the billing as the 'most beautiful urban marathon'. Trees were in there fall colors, lots of lake scenery, bridges over the mighty Mississippi and the best spectators. At times it was as if you were running through a tunnel of people, high-fives and lots of encouragement!!! It was so inspiring! That last left turn heading down to St. Paul Cathedral and the Capitol with thousands of people lined up was very emotional!! A job well done, Twin Cities!!

Once again, a wonderful marathon! From the spectator at the cathedral on the hill just above the finish line, yelling, 'Just enjoy it!' as we came over the hill, to the finish line, to each and every neighborhood person lining the streets, the support is terrific! Nothing compares with the lakes, the colored leaves, and the friendliness of all of the runners.

I ran the TCM in 2001 and had a great time. This year was different. At the metrodome, I think they had only 2 entrances. We had to line up to get in and line up to get out. I waited a little too long to leave the warmth of the metrodome and couldn't get out until the national anthem started due to the long lines! I had to run to the bag drop-off trucks and then run to start. The starting area was enclosed by a 9 foot chain-link fence. Some runners were climbing over the fence to get in line. I am a slower runner. The Cliff Shots given out at mile 16 were gone when I got there. The mile 17 water stop was out of cups. We had a 5 mile stretch with no water. There seemed to be no checking for bandits. Medals and tshirts were given out to everyone, so they ran out of sizes S and M by the time I finished. There were lots of stretches where there were no spectators. I finished at 5:45. IF I do anymore marathons, I will be carrying a water bottle.