Thursday, May 14, 2009

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon More Than 75 Percent Full

Participants from all fifty states and thirteen countries have registered for the 28th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Registration demographics are trending similarly to years past, with the majority of the participants coming from Minnesota, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the rest from around the nation and the world.

Ludwig Cavallar will travel from Switzerland for his fifth TCM. A business trip here ten years ago introduced him to friends and a new found passion for running. Lutz Strohback is coming from Germany fifteen years after his first visit to see relatives in Minnesota. He said the beauty of running in “Indian Summer” and the course through the “parks and nature” also motivated his decision to return.

Registration is on track with many recent non-anniversary years with over 75 percent of the field filled, according to race officials. “We are honored that runners continue to come to Minnesota to take part in our marathon,” said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director Virginia Brophy Achman. “This year we are adding a special opportunity for one registered runner to win the ‘Best Seat in the House’ contest, giving the winner many of the same experiences professional runners are given when they come for the weekend to participate in a championship event here at one of our races. We continue to look for ways to make this marathon an event people look forward to taking part in year after year."

This year, the ING Neighborhood Cheer Zones will return along the course for spectators to gather and celebrate the race with an “International” theme featuring a special international cheer zone to encourage ethnic communities in the Twin Cities to come out and welcome runners from around the world. The marathon was ranked ninth largest in the nation in 2008 based on the number of finishers.

Visit mtcmarathon.org for more information.

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