Road Conditions: A Pavement Primer

There's lot's going on in the world of Minnesota road racing these days. Here's a news digest to help you catch up:

Team Circuit Kicks Off ... The USATF Minnesota Team Circuit presented by Twin Cities in Motion will kick off on Sunday with the St. Patrick's Day Human Race 8K in St. Paul.

The nine-race series, which culminates in October with TCM's own Medtronic TC 10 Mile, pits the state's top club teams against one-another in road races ranging in distance from the mile to the marathon.

The complete Team Circuit schedule can be found HERE.

In 2009 TC Running Company won the men's open Team Circuit title, while Run N Fun prevailed in the women's open division. TC Running Company also swept the men's masters and grand masters titles. The Foley & Mansfield masters and St. Cloud River Runners grand masters squads won on the women's side.

Raabe to Return to Grandma's ... 2009 Grandma's Marathon champion Chris Raabe, a Sauk Rapids native, plans to return to Duluth to defend his title in June. Raabe confirmed his intention is this week's issue of Out Front, Grandma's Marathon's promotional newsletter.

Raabe won a surprise victory in last year's race, pulling away from his challengers at the 15 mile mark. Raabe, who suffered a dislocated patella and bruised ribs in an automobile accident last fall, will attempt to become only the third man to win consecutive Grandma's titles, joining fellow Minnesotan Dick Beardsley (1981-81) and Kenyan Patrick Muturi (1996-97).

Stillwater Marathon News ... The Stillwater Marathon, scheduled for May 30, signed national retailer Dick's Sporting Goods as its presenting sponsor, the race announced yesterday. The Stillwater marathon, entering its second year, will be one of ten U.S. races that are part of the chain's National Runners’ Month program.

The initiative is designed to promote running and highlight Dick's commitment to serving runners throughout the United States. The ten race roster also includes the Pittsburgh Marathon, the Boulder to Boulder in Colorado, the Ridge Run in Chicago, and the Palos Verde Marathon in Los Angeles.

For more information on the Stillwater Marathon, click HERE.

Medtronic TC 1 Mile 75% Full ... Registration for the Medtronic TC 1 Mile is currently 75% full, according to race organizers Twin Cities in Motion. The May 13 event, which will host the USA Mile Championships for men and women, has an entrant limit of 3200 athletes.

Find more information on the TC 1 Mile HERE.