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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: 455 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
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J. J. from Chicago, IL
(2/11/2008)
"Please avoid if possible" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This marathon has a wonderful course, great crowd support but an overzealous race director. Taking pictures of runners with headphones and disqualifying them???? Come on.... As America struggles to incentivize more people to get off their couch, the Twin Cities Marathon is seemingly more focused on punishing runners who listen to music in order to get through 26 miles than they are in encouraging runners. I felt much more danger from the water and gel that covered the roads than I did from anyone wearing headphones. Runners in Minnesota are awesome about supporting their two major marathons - Grandma's and Twin Cities. However, it might behoove them to begin to push back on further restrictions to runners' rights under the guise of "safety" issues. There are far bigger issues to deal with in the running community than listening to music while one runs. | |
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B. H. from Charlottesville, VA
(1/8/2008)
"The race organizers don't get it." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 This race hits a new low with disqualification of finishers revealed on photo scan to be wearing headphones in 2007. When I ran it in 2002, there were other problems: 1) Mile markers weren't visible to most of the pack for the first 3-4 miles, so you had no idea of your initial pace. 2) Porta-john doors opened directly onto the race course, and I got pancaked running into an opening door at the midway point. 3) No race certificate for finishers. My advice is to pick a better-organized marathon in which they care more about the runners. | |
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M. C. from Lakeville, MN
(12/28/2007)
"First marathon... WOW." (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 TCM was my first marathon, and despite the heat, I was given everything I could have needed to finish. The spectator cheering was nonstop. When I was dragging around mile 18, a couple neighborhood spectators held ice on my neck and all but shouted in my ears the keep going. They were great, as were all the water stop volunteers. Having this experience for my first marathon may taint my expectations for future marathons, but I had a blast... and enjoyed every minute of pain, exhaustion and suffering! Can't wait to do it again in 2008! | |
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J. R. from Iowa
(12/27/2007)
"Horrible start, but would still recommend this one" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The start is horrible - not a good race for a PR unless you can get in Wave 1. I wanted to run w/ the 3:30 group, but since I hadn't qualified for Wave 1, I was stuck w/ the mob in Wave 2 where the fastest pace team is the 3:50 group. The starting corrals are set up so you enter from the back and are so crowded you can't get near your pace group. I started w/ the 4:15 group and spent the 1st 3 miles dodging slower runners. After the first few miles, the marathon was MUCH better. With the heat, it would have been nice for water every mile instead of every 2-2.5 for the first 18 miles. However, the heat couldn't be helped and with normal temps, the water stops would have been fine. Crowd support is top-notch the entire 26.2 miles. The course elevation map was a little misleading - I wasn't expecting all the hills in the first half but the long hill at the end wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. The heat took a lot away from what I think is a great marathon. I would seriously recommend this race for first-timers or runners looking for a fun marathon. For Wave 2 people looking to compete, I would recommend a smaller race. | |
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B. C. from Minneapolis, MN
(11/26/2007)
"Great Marathon!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was definitley a hot one, however that can't be controlled. The organization, spectators and course are fantastic. Thanks for a great run and I'll be back next year! | |
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Judith Smith from Nassau, Bahamas
(11/3/2007)
"Complimentary but with one criticism" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I am a truly recreational runner. The course was very nice, and the spectators also. However, being a slow runner, I was more affected by the heat and humidity. I think that the organizers should give you your t-shirt regardless of whether you finish, like most marathons do (Miami, New York, Marine Corp, Jacksonville). I did not finish in time, so I accept that I get no medal, but I think you could have given me my t-shirt for the quilt. Put the T-shirt in the packet pick-up bag. And yes, they are strict on the 6-hour limit (even though I understand they did extend it 30 minutes this time). | |
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Anne Gordon from San Jose, Costa Rica
(10/26/2007)
"Wonderful course, more aid stations needed" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 My husband and I were really looking forward to a cooler marathon. We live in Costa Rica and are used to the hot, humid weather for training, but not for a whole marathon. Overall, we were very pleased with the crowd support and the volunteers. Although I agree that there needed to be more water and aid stations at the beginning. The course was beautiful, and the last few miles up Summit weren't a problem. I didn't really notice a hill or incline. Thanks to all the spectators and volunteers for a great and memorable day. | |
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M. W. from Michigan
(10/24/2007)
"Beautiful, well-organized!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, the marathon lived up to its moniker as the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America. The course included downtown Minneapolis, lakes, great neighborhoods, the bluffs above the Mississippi, and the view of the State Capitol as we ran downhill to the finish was spectacular. Organizers also did a great job responding to the extreme weather conditions. I was toward the back of the pack and saw more water being delivered to aid stations. I think organizers did a tremendous job of making adjustments concerning the conditions and needs of the runners (even though the first aid station needed to come much sooner in the race). Course marshals and kind-hearted neighbors handed out ice, candy, oranges and encouragement. Many neighbors turned on their sprinklers and hoses for the runners. The spectators were incredible. I was astounded at the number of folks lining the route and all-out cheering! It was obvious many were having their Annual Marathon Party in their front yards. Their encouragement was priceless. Also, on an organizational level, no problems at the start with sweat drop-off, etc. The finish line area was also nice and spread out. It was not a mob scene like in Chicago. Food wasn't that great but the finisher's shirt was fantastic. I had no problem finding the buses which ferried us back to the start area in Minneapolis. All in all it was a flawless event except for the heat and humidity. Thank you, Twin Cities! | |
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J. E. from minneapolis
(10/18/2007)
"Great From Start to Finish" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This organization could not have been better. When they said before the race there would be 300,000 people lining the marathon course, I thought they were exaggerating. That was not the case; with the people cheering, it was a rush. When I got to mile 20, I needed the extra encouragement to keep on going. Weather was downright nasty but there was plenty of water and PowerAde at each station. I did not have the greatest time but I did have a great time. Already looking forward to next year. | |
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M. R. from Bixby OK
(10/16/2007)
"Great course/orgaization; ditch the PowerAde" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Twin Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is really a nice scenic course with good crowds through much of the course. Unfortunately, the heat this year took a lot away from being a great marathon. Only complaint was the sports drink. I don't mean any disrespect towards the marathon organizers and sponsors, but ditch the PowerAde - that has got to be the nastiest sports drink known to marathoners. Get some Gatorade. |
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