Twin Cities to Open Registration in February

In a surprising change, registration for the 2010 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon will open on February 2, 2010, race officials announced yesterday afternoon.

Traditionally, registration for the early-October event has kicked off in April.

Twin Cities in Motion executive director Virginia Brophy Achman, the head of the organization that stages the marathon, offered a travel-planning explanation for the change in a brief media release.

"The earlier registration date will give marathoners from around the world the opportunity to include the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon In America in annual travel plans,” Achman said.

The change means registration for Minnesota's two largest marathons -- Grandma's and Twin Cities -- will likely be underway at the same time. Grandma's Marathon opens registration on January 14, 2010.

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon takes place Sunday, October 3, 2010. The race has typically filled within a month. Registration will be conducted online at mtcmarathon.org and will be capped at 11,000 runners on a first-come, first served basis.

Read the full TCM media release on the matter HERE.