2026 Marathon Weekend Spectator Information
Experience the joy of Marathon Weekend from the sidelines!
Spectators are an integral part of Marathon Weekend. They give runners the extra boost they need to keep going. They show the power of community by cheering for friends and strangers alike.
Whether you have loved ones running Marathon Weekend or not, we welcome you to pick a spot along course and show that the title Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America isn't just about the scenery - it's about the people.
2026 MAPS
Iconic Spectator Locations
Looking for the best places to cheer on runners and take it all in? Check out these iconic Twin Cities spectator locations along the course!
Douglas Avenue
Full Marathon: Miles 2-3
First Wheelers Expected: 8:00 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 8:10 A.M.
*No Medtronic TC 10 Mile Participants
*No Half Marathon for More Participants
Cheer early and loud! Douglas Avenue is a great spot to spectate early in the race, watch as the marathoners hit the lakes, and encounter their first vertical climb.
Bde Maka Ska Parkway
Full Marathon: Miles 4-6
First Wheelers Expected: 8:09 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 8:25 A.M.
*No Medtronic TC 10 Mile Participants
*No Half Marathon for More Participants
With beautiful lake views and a wide parkway space, Bde Maka Ska Parkway is a great spot to catch runners as they continue to stride through the chain of lakes.
Minnehaha Parkway
Full Marathon: Mile 7-8
First Wheelers Expected: 8:18 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 8:35 A.M.
*No Medtronic TC 10 Mile Participants
*No Half Marathon for More Participants
Spectators love to line the streets of this picturesque classic Minneapolis neighborhood area and runners feed off the supportive, close-knit crowd.
Lake Nokomis Parkway
Full Marathon: Mile 13
First Wheelers Expected: 8:37 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 9:03 A.M.
*No Medtronic TC 10 Mile Participants
*No Half Marathon for More Participants
The halfway mark of the marathon is easy access to the Blue Line of the Light Rail and offers great views to cheer on runners as they tackle the second half of the race.
Summit Avenue
Full Marathon: Miles 21.5–25
10 Mile: Miles 5.5–9
Half Marathon: Miles 8.3–13.1
First Wheelers Expected: 9:16 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 9:50 A.M.
First 10 Mile Participants Expected: 7:22 A.M.
First Half MarathonParticipants Expected: 8:40 A.M.
Summit Avenue is the place to be on Marathon Sunday. Lined with historic homes and bursting with energy, runners will tackle the infamous gradual incline and need your support. The crossing of Summit and Cretin is the first place you'll spot runners, and we also recommend the JJ Hill House: home to the Rainbow Mile Cheer Zone!
Cathedral Hill
Full Marathon: Mile 25-26
10 Mile: Miles 9-10
Half Marathon: Mile 13-13.1
First Wheelers Expected: 9:35 A.M.
First Marathon Participants Expected: 10:05 A.M.
First 10 Mile Participants Expected: 7:36 A.M.
First Half MarathonParticipants Expected: 9:05 A.M.
Your last chance to catch runners and give them that final push of cheers as they pass the Cathedral of St. Paul and head to the Capitol. The Finish Festival awaits!
Race Day Info
Saturday Events:
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7:15 A.M. – USATF 10K Championships - Men
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7:20 A.M. – USATF 10K Championships - Women
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7:30 A.M. – TC 10K - presented by Dermatology Consultants
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9:00 A.M. – TC 5K - presented by Fredrikson
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10:15 A.M. – KARE 11 Family Mile
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10:45 A.M. – Half Mile - presented by iHeartRadio Minneapolis
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11:00 A.M. – Mascot Invitational
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11:15 A.M. – Diaper Dash
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11:30 A.M. – Toddler Trot (ages 4 & under)
All Saturday Events take place at the State Capitol Grounds in St. Paul.
Sunday Events:
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6:55 a.m. - Medtronic TC 10 Mile Start (400 Portland Ave. Minneapolis, MN)
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6:55 a.m. – 10 Mile Corral A Start
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7:02 a.m. - 10 Mile Corral B Start
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7:08 a.m. - 10 Mile Corral C Start
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7:15 a.m. - 10 Mile Corral D Start
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7:40 a.m. - Medtronic TC Half Marathon for More (615 South 6th St. Minneapolis, MN)
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7:52 a.m. - Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (615 South 6th St. Minneapolis, MN)
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7:52 a.m. – Professional Wheeler Start
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7:55 a.m. – Athletes with Diasabilities Start
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7:58 a.m. – Professional Athlete Start
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8:00 a.m. – Corral 1 Start
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8:06 a.m. – Corral 2 Start
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8:12 a.m. – Corral 3 Start
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The Event Alert System, or EAS, is a color-coded method of quickly communicating to participants and spectators the potential for adverse weather conditions that can affect the race event. A series of color codes is used to indicate the increasing severity of adverse conditions as outlined here.
At TCM events the EAS flag color will be shared in the pre-race email, at packet pick up, at the Start Line, and on course during the event. Please pay attention, as flag color may change during the event.
Bike Valet: Skip the traffic and congested parking. Ride your bike and reduce your carbon footprint!
Twin Cities In Motion will offer free monitored bike parking for all participants, spectators, and volunteers who ride their bike to the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend Events at the State Capitol Grounds. The Bike Valet will be located in the upper mall, East side of the Capitol building, and will have the following operating hours:
Saturday (10/3): 6:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday (10/4): 5:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Capitol Grounds Parking:
Please visit Parking In St. Paul for up-to-date official City of St. Paul parking information. Please note Cedar St. will be closed.
Saint Paul College Parking: Spectators can park at the Saint Paul College lots (235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102) for $5 each day. You will pay upon exit of the lot. Access to the lots are available off Concordia Ave. or Marshall Ave. via Dayton Ave. to Louis St.
Please note: TCM does not operate these lots and are not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen property.
TC 5K & TC 10K
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10K finishers are expected to complete the course at a pace of 16-minutes-per-mile or faster.
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5K finishers are expected to complete the course at a pace of 25-minutes-per-mile or faster.
Medtronic TC 10 Mile:
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All Medtronic TC 10 Mile participants must complete the course by 2:50 P.M.
TC Half Marathon for More:
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Half Marathoners must complete the course before 2:50 P.M.
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon:
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Roads will be closed, and course services will be provided for all participants able to finish the marathon in six hours and 30 minutes from the time the start line closes. Finishing the marathon by 2:50 P.M. generally means maintaining an average pace of 14:52 per mile.
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Roads will be closed 1 block north or 1 block south of the course (if the course is running east/west), or 1 block east or west of the course (if the course is running north/south).
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Use I-94, I-35W and I-35E to move widely across the metro on Sunday, Oct 5.
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To cross Minnehaha Parkway utilize Nicollet Ave, 35W or Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave.
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To cross the river utilize I94, Lake St/Marshall Ave bridge or Ford Parkway bridge
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To get north or south of Summit utilize Ayd Mill Rd
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Expect street closures near the State Capitol in St. Paul starting Thursday and throughout the weekend.
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Expect street closure on Summit Ave. east of Snelling on Saturday morning, October 4.
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Marion St exit from eastbound I-94 will be closed both Saturday morning, Oct 4 and Sunday, Oct 5. Use Dale St exit instead.
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Expect street closures in downtown Minneapolis in the early morning on Sunday, Oct 5.
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Note marathon, half marathon and 10 mile maps for routes of races on Sunday, Oct. 5.
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Marathon, half marathon and 10 mile courses reopen to traffic on a rolling basis throughout the day.
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Motorists are reminded to take note of hooded meters and no parking signs along and near racecourses.
If you are using bikes, scooters and similar modes of transportation, you are not permitted to ride on the course for everyone's safety.
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Marathon Weekend can be stressful for participants, so we want to give you some helpful do's and don'ts to best support them out on the course.
Do: "You got this!"
Do: Bring a cowbell
Do: Cheer by name by reading their name off of their bib or by finding them on the TCM app.
Do: Create large fun & creative signs
Do: Give high fives from the curb (don't enter on to the course!)
Do: Cheer for all runners, from the pros to the last finishers!
Don't: "You're almost there!" (At mile 8 of the Marathon)
Don't: Walk across the course when runners are present
Don't: Take any fuel from the hydration stations
Don't: Encourage walking participants to run, they know their bodies best!
Don't: Shout out the number of remaining miles unless you are absolutely sure of mileage.
Stream live coverage of our Sunday events - the Medtronic TC 10 Mile and the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon - from anywhere on Kare 11+ starting at 6:30 A.M. with More Than A Marathon LIVE!
Celebrate your runner's victory at the Capitol Grounds Finish Festival! With food trucks and the Summit Beer Garden, it's the perfect way to cap off Marathon Sunday. Cash or card accepted. Physical ID required for all alcohol sales.
Postman Law Delivers the Beat on Marathon Weekend!
On October 4, the family music and entertainment group The Jolly Pops will entertain participants at the Saturday Events from the Postman Law Delivers the Beat stage. The band was built around dads who love to play music for kids. On Sunday, October 5, Twin Cities cover band Good for Gary will play current and past dance hits for 10 mile, marathon, and TC Half Marathon for More finishers. The Postman Law Delivers the Beat stage will also host awards ceremonies for the Medtronic TC 10 Mile and Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on race Sunday.
Saturday, October 4: The Jolly Pops
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Location: State Capitol Grounds
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Time: 11 A.M - 12 P.M.
Sunday, October 5: Good for Gary
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Location: State Capitol Grounds
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Time: 12 - 1:15 P.M. & 1:30 - 2:30 P.M.
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Marathon Weekend brings over 300,000+ out on the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul, so it is important to remember it is unlikely to catch participants at more than 1-2 spots on the course. This is a great chance to remind your participant to be aware of others on the course as they look to spot you on the sidelines!
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There's a reason the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is called "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America."
