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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 31 to 41]
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B. M. from Hartford, CT
(10/17/2014)
 "Highly recommended destination race" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Twin Cities marathon and fifth overall, but it is an excellent race. I had a PR and BQ, which I attribute to the fast course and unbelievable fan support. Pros: - best expo I've seen yet. They don't make you walk through a maze to get your packet. - bus transportation from the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul to the start line was well-organized and efficient. There were hundreds of people in line for a bus, but they kept us moving and we never had to wait for a bus. - extremely well organized start, including sweats check and corral placement. My corral (1) wasn't overcrowded at all. - mostly flat, fast, scenic course. I gave it 4 stars because it gets quite narrow in some spots, which can be tricky with such a crowded race. - spectators were awesome. It was a chilly, windy day, but people were everywhere. Cons: - post-race food and drink left something to be desired. I was handed a chocolate milk, but I couldn't find water anywhere. There was hot broth, but it tasted very strange, not at all like broth. There were bananas, chips and bagels. I'm probably just spoiled from the Hartford, CT marathon last year that had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. - Participant shirts are only for finishers and you must wait in line after the race to pick it up. I would prefer to get mine at the expo. Overall I definitely recommend this race as a must-do! | |
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D. R. from NC
(10/13/2014)
 "The best Marathon I have run" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 10th Marathon and it was easily the best marathon. The course was fantastic: fast and flat. There is one major hill between mile 20 and 23 but other than that it was easy. The crowd support is to be seen to be believed. The cheers and the music are so good that you could mistake the sounds for nearing the finish line and they do get you to run faster. I improved my time by almost 30 minutes. (My second best time) during the 2014 event. Definitely recommend it. | |
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A. J. from Birmingham
(10/12/2014)
"very nice" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Exvellent marathon! Spectator support was awesome! Very narrow around the lakes making it difficult to pass. It even bottlenecked a few times to the point of walking. Overall, very very nice marathon! | |
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Dennis Frisby from Chicago
(10/10/2014)
"A Beautiful Marathon" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great race. It was my 70th marathon, and my 50th state in a Boston qualifying time; so it was a very special race for me. The organizers gave me 2050 so I would have a 50 on my bib. Thanks. My family was able to get around the course and see me 5 times during the race so that was wonderful. You should train for hills and be conservative for the first half of the race so you can handle the hills after mile 20. I would recommend driving the course the day before (as much as the one way streets will allow) so as to mentally prepare for the hills. I had a negative split and my fastest pace occurred after mile 20. The 3:45 pacer was very good while I was with him. The only suggestion I would have for the race director is that TCM is large enough to have water/sports drink tables on both sides of the road instead of longer sets of tables on one side of the road only. Crossing over L to R or R to L to get water was crowded and difficult at times. The volunteers were wonderful and the crowd support was great! The race start corrals were easy to access and line up with your pacing group. I would highly recommend this marathon. If there are any other Boston qualifying 50 state runners out there please contact me (or at FB Boston 50 Running Club page). | |
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l. e. from kansas city
(10/9/2014)
 "Eh...." (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Eh, maybe my expectations were too high, but this race was not all it was toted to be... My biggest complaint was the course- the lakes and upper middle class houses were tedious to look at after a while. I was disappointed we didn't see more diversity in a city that I know has it. First marathon I have run that I can honestly say I was bored by the surroundings. Well organized, nice crowd support but wouldn't run in again. | |
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Tim Anderson from Kansas
(10/7/2014)
"Exceeded Expectations" (about: 2014)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had heard good things about this race, and I was not disappointed. This was my third marathon. I have also run Santa Barbara and Grandmas. This was my favorite of the three (Grandmas was great as well), and while that might be due in part to the favorable outcome (I qualified for Boston), that was certainly not the biggest factor. The course was beautiful and the scenery varied (starts downtown and spends a great deal of time winding past lakes). The second half of the course was considerably more challenging than the first, but the downhill finish at the capital made it worth it. The race was extremely well organized, and sweat pick-up at the end (important due to cool temps) was effortless. The fan support was very strong. There was a fire or two that generated some smoke, but it was hardly a huge bother. I like the fact that shirts in Minnesota are for finishers rather than anyone who signs up. The medal was great as well, with an option to purchase a plate for the back engraved with your name and time. | |
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B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa
(10/7/2014)
"As Good As It Gets" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I won't say that this race is perfect, but I can't think of anything that could be improved upon. Beautiful course, great spectator support both qualitative and quantitative and perfect organization. No participant shirt, but a classy, understated finisher shirt and medal. I parked at the finish and shuttled to the start, which worked perfectly. Lots of available parking in St Paul. My favorite finish line in 43 marathons as we ran down Summit Ave toward the Capital. Great finishing area with lots of food choices. I especially liked the chicken broth and chocolate milk. I am really happy that I chose Twin Cities for my Minnesota marathon. | |
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Sai Padmanabhan from Chicago, IL
(10/7/2014)
"Beautiful and challenging" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course was great-with fall colors everywhere and great spectator support even when it was cold. The start was very well organized with corrals for fast runners upfront. The packet pick up was quiet easy and well organized. They had designated hotels to shuttle runners to the start. There were adequate water stops every 2 miles or so. The only thing I would add is having a sign that water stop is coming so that we can take our gels before the water stop. The race was well organized with biking medical assistance throughout the course. The course was rolling hills and hills from mile 21 to 23 or so. So be prepared to run hills and do hills before you show up for the race. My quads were shot at the end and had some cramps at the end but its not the fault of the course. It was just me. Yes, its a great course to run. | |
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G. W. from Phoenix, Arizona
(10/6/2014)
"Most support from spectators ever" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great experience at the Twin Cities Marathon. Even though it was very cold at the start, I warmed up quickly. I was amazed by the number of people who lined the course and their enthusiastic comments. I know that helped me keep moving at the more difficult part that comes at about mile 21. Thanks to all the volunteers who do a great job of hosting this race. | |
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n. k. from atlanta, ga
(10/6/2014)
 "Didnt meet expectations" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 My niece and I picked this race because of all the publicity about the course being the prettiest urban marathon. We were both disappointed. There were several issues. First - Minneapolis is a beautiful city! But - you don't see any of it on this course. After a while, all the small lakes look the same. Second, the paths around the lakes are narrow. As Galloway runners (4:1 intervals), it was hard to get out of the way for other runners. And.... the day was chilly.... and several spectators built fires on the course. Even at mile 25, someone built a fire! Come on...ever think what it's like to run through smoke when you're running 26 miles? Finally - the Expo was a pain to get to for out of town runners. 45 each way on the train + shuttle. There are better courses. Wouldn't run it again. |
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