Sure, the Twin Cities Marathon is going to happen in 2020.
You just won’t see anyone running the 26.2-mile course between US Bank Stadium and the state capitol building. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the marathon announced Tuesday that the 39th running of the race, along with companion events, is going to be a virtual event this time around.
Marathon weekend was scheduled for October 2-4. Instead of carbo-loading that Saturday night, and lacing ‘em up Sunday morning, runners will run a marathon and submit their time on-line.
Registration is now open and results can be sent in the entire month of October.
Finishers will get their commemorative T-shirt and medallion.
This comes after Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, which was supposed to be held this past weekend, went the virtual route.
“We hoped to hold an in-person marathon weekend in a manner that was safe for runners, spectators, volunteers, and the community at large,” Twin Cities In Motion president Mike Logan said. “Based on guidance from public health authorities and our medical directors, however, we have determined that is not possible.“
More than 4,500 participants signed up for the first Twin Cities Marathon 1982 after organizers of competing races in Minneapolis and St. Paul joining forces. In recent years, the event has brought in 30,000 runners and crowds lining the course in excess of a quarter-million.
“We make the decision with a heavy heart,” said Logan. “But we know it’s the right thing to do for our runners and our community.”
Runners who used the early sign-up to enter the marathon will receive partial credit to participate in the virtual race.
Other Twin Cities in Motion-operated races going the virtual route this summer, and the dates to submit results:
- Red, White & Boom! TC Half Marathon, Relay & 5K, Saturday, July 4 – Saturday, July 18
- Medtronic TC 1 Mile Thursday, August 13 – Thursday, August 20
- Twin Cities Orthopedics' Women Run the Cities, Thursday, September 10 – Sunday, September 20
Registration is open for all of those races except the TC 1 Mile, which opens July 9.
