(I ran this race through TC Loony Challenge in 2014 – I ran the 10k, 5k and 10 mile [over the course of two days])

The Twin Cities Marathon is one of the premier marathons in the country. Although I’m not ready for a marathon I participated in my own non-stop race weekend by completing the Loony Challenge (see above). The race expo seemed large and like it had a lot of vendors. I was coming from out of town however and so I scrambled to get in and get my packet(s). Pickup was well organized in the normal race number order (Alphabetical would be nice). I thankfully had saved my bib numbers on my phone so I didn’t have to worry about pulling up the website or an email on my phone. At packet pickup I got my shirt (a short sleeved red Brooks tech shirt TC 5k on the front and sponsors on the back. I also go a pair of FITSOK that said “Twin Cities Marathon” FITSOK are made in MN so I thought that was a nice touch.

I had arrived at the race area at about 6:15 am (my first race was at 7:30) and was able to park in the Sears lot which is very close to the start. I believe I paid $20. Other than this there are various ramps downtown.

I had finished the 10k (as part of the Loony Challenge) and was able to hang out and meet up with family in the “Family Tent”. It was a little warmer in there. The 5k start was kind of a mess to be honest. This event is promoted to schools and there are hundreds of school kids. While I support fitness among kids this was not well implemented. They had the “elite” runners and the kids line up together at the start line. I heard from other runners that the kids were warned they would be passed (I lined up farther back in the start corral). Still this was not a good plan and could be potentially dangerous. Also there were kids walking all over the road. They would sprint and then stop. I realize this is how kids run but it make it incredibly difficult to navigate the course. The 5k (and 10k) start almost immediately with a hill (Summit Ave). As the course is an out and back (on opposite sides of the road) the hill makes for an EXCELLENT finish but for little ones it was a rough start. I was dodging kids for most of the race.

The rest of the course is along St. Paul’s summit Ave. As the 5k is on Saturday and not on Marathon day this means there are less crowds but there are a few enthusiastic musicians and cheering sections. I believe there was a water station but I don’t recall.

Food at the end was ok. Nothing extra special. I do remember that my sister went to take an applesauce pouch and was yelled at by a volunteer who stated they were only for the kids. This is understandable but there were no signs and other adults had taken them in front of her. IT seems like it might be appropriate to have a separate area for the kids.

The medal for the 5k was coordinated with all the other medals and was a red leaf (the others were other leaf colors). I don’t normally like getting a medal for a 5k but as I was doing the Loony Challenge it meant a little more to me. I did notice the 5k (and 10k) medals were slightly smaller than the 10 mile/Marathon/Series medals [see attached} }. If you only had received 1 medal though you wouldn’t likely notice.