What you should know for this year's Twin Cities Marathon weekend

More than 28,000 athletes will race on Saturday and Sunday during the Twin Cities Marathon weekend.

Officials say it could be the biggest weekend in the race's 44 years after the marathon was canceled last year due to unseasonably warm temperatures.

Dean Orton is the president of Twin Cities in Motion, the organization behind the marathon.

“It’s exciting and a lot of unfinished business for people, including everyone who worked so hard to put this event together,” Orton said. “We’re just happy that we have the chance to be there again and have favorable conditions.”

Weather

After last year's cancellation, temperatures will be cooler this year. Highs for Saturday are expected to reach the low 80s as runners take part in the 5K and 10K races.

Sunday highs are forecast to be in the mid-60s — much more ideal than last year's lows of 90s, Orton says.

But that's still warmer than usual for this time of year. With weather conditions changing due to climate change, Twin Cities Marathon officials commissioned a study last year to examine weather conditions, with the goal of possibly moving the marathon later in the fall. At that time they decided on the first weekend in October.

But that needs to be reconsidered, says Orton. The marathon plans to commission another study and is considering pushing the date back to 2026 and beyond.

“What we're looking for is better green flag conditions so that everyone can experience America's finest city marathon in the fall, and the conditions should be close to the tradition they've come to expect,” Orton says.

Expanded accessibility

The marathon is launching a handbike program this year after disabled athletes pushed for inclusion.

Competitors in this space will be permitted to use a wider range of mobility devices, including electrically assisted devices. This expands the participation of wheelchair users beyond the purely elite category.

“The idea of ​​E-Assist giving them more power and confidence to make sure they can complete the course safely – we think that's an important step for us,” Orton said. “We are pleased to open this path.”

New this year: half marathon

Two hundred runners will participate in the inaugural Twin Cities Half Marathon. The new route begins at Lake Nokomis and follows the marathon route to the finish near the State Capitol.

Orton says it's a requested distance. Organizers wanted to test the route with a small number of runners to decide whether it should be offered more widely in future years.

I'm watching the marathon

Orton hopes to see a big crowd this year, in addition to the usual running club tables, volunteers and former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page playing sousaphone at Mile 5.

Organizers are highlighting recommended viewing spots on the 10-mile and marathon maps, including the home stretch along Summit Ave. in St. Paul and – for the marathon – the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis.

The marathon route is closed to vehicles.

Elite runners to watch

Marathon organizers have launched a new program this year that will bring together about 20 aspiring elite runners. The “Best of the Midwest” invitational competition is aimed at top runners who are still early in their careers. They compete in the elite field for prize money of 20,000 US dollars.

“They have incredible talent and I think we have our eyes on some future Olympians,” Orton said. “Another thing the marathon can do for the community is … be a place to help aspiring athletes.”

Previous winners of the Twin Cities Marathon return this year in both the women's and men's races.

Defending 2022 women's champion Jessica Watychowicz of Illinois will return as part of the Best of the Midwest Invitational. Four-time winner of the Twin Cities Marathon, Dominic Ondoro from Kenya, will take part in the men's race. Ondoro holds the course record of 2:08:51 from 2016.

The elite wheelchair race is expected to be led by defending men's champion Wyatt Willand; Twin Cities Marathon newcomer Veronica Gonzalez is the favorite to lead the women's race.

The men's 10-mile race will feature two Olympians: Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who represented the United States in this year's Olympic marathon. The women's event will feature 2022 NCAA 10K champion Mercy Chelangat; Everlyn Kemboi, who won the 10K NCAA championship the year before; and Natasha Rogers, runner-up in the 2017 10-mile race.