Defending Champs Back for Medtronic TC Mile

Though the calendar says it's Spring, it doesn't feel like it yet with all those white piles of winter leftovers still adorning our yards.  But the temperatures are getting back to normal, and the ice is finally melting, and there is another sign of the change in seasons on the horizon.  Yesterday Twin Cities in Motion announced that defending champs, Heather Kampf and University of Wisconsin alumnus Craig Miller, will return to downtown Minneapolis to defend their Medtronic TC Mile titles and race for a pair of $10,000 course record bonuses on Thursday, May 9.

The event has attracted more than 3,000 runners to Nicollet Mall for a full evening of racing culminating with the professional runners competing for $25,000 in prize money.  A festive Nicollet Mall atmosphere – where Minnesotans enjoy the downtown nightlife while cheering runners along the route – makes the Medtronic TC  Mile a unique event on the Minnesota and national running calendar.

Last year, Kampf, a Rosemount native who trains with Team USA Minnesota, outran the Medtronic TC  Mile field for her first victory in 4:36.9 while running in the shadow of Minneapolis’ skyscrapers. Later in the summer she placed seventh in the US Olympic Trials 800.  In the men’s race, Miller ran 4:04.3 against a stiff headwind to claim his first Medtronic TC Mile title after finishing third in 2011.  Miller,  has a 3:56.41 personal best in the mile, and finished eighth in the Olympic Trials 1500 last year.

“Heather and Craig were great champions last year and we’re thrilled to have them signed up to run with us again this year,” Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said.  “I’m confident both of them can make a run at the $10,000 course record bonuses, although I know we’re building strong fields to compete against each of them too!”

The men’s course record is 3:58.4 set by three-time Medtronic TC Mile champion David Torrence in 2011.  The women’s CR of 4:30.8 was established by Sara Hall also in 2011.  This year’s race winners will pocket $5,000 each.  In the coming weeks, Twin Cities In Motion will note additions to the field and make other announcements about the professional races via its Twitter feed, @tcmarathon, or with additional media releases.

The races start at 6:50 p.m. CDT and culminate with the professional races at 7:53 PM. (women) and 8:03 PM  (men).