Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
The Minneapolis Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Minneapolis, United States. The course starts and finishes on the Minneapolis riverfront. The route follows the Mississippi River trails and passes the Stone Arch Bridge and Minnehaha Falls. Mostly flat along the river.
Minneapolis Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Minneapolis Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 4 October 2026 with a 8:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 175 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.
The Minneapolis Marathon is a river-city loop starting and finishing on the Minneapolis riverfront, following Mississippi River trails past the Stone Arch Bridge and Minnehaha Falls. The riverside trails are the easiest because they stay mostly flat and shaded, while the short climbs to bridge level and the more exposed warm sections are tougher; crowds gather along the riverfront, near the Stone Arch Bridge, and around Minnehaha Falls.
Official course map — view on race website
The Minneapolis Marathon course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 175 metres of climbing and 150 metres of descent, with a net climb of 25 metres from start to finish.
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon uses open online registration at tcmevents.org for the October race. The field of roughly 4,500 marathon finishers fills on a first-come basis with tiered pricing — no qualifying time required. Lottery entry applies only to the 10-mile event; marathon spots sell out when general registration closes.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Minneapolis.
Grandma's Marathon is a classic North Shore point-to-point from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota, drawing about 6,500 runners each June. The net-downhill course follows Lake Superior's scenic Highway 61 with views of the big lake, boreal forest, and Duluth's hillside finish in Canal Park. Cool lake breezes and a fast early profile make it one of America's most popular regional marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 19 June 2027
The Fargo Marathon draws about 2,500 finishers each May through North Dakota's largest city on the flat Red River valley. The course passes the Fargodome, the historic downtown, and the Red River with community celebrations at every mile. May spring weather on the northern plains and a flat, friendly course make it one of the most beloved regional marathons in the American Midwest.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Madison Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each November on a capitol city road in Madison, United States. Running between two lakes gives the race a classic isthmus-city feel that is unique in the Midwest. The route passes the Capitol square, the University of Wisconsin campus, and lakefront stretches between Mendota and Monona. The Capitol square, the University of Wisconsin campus, and lakefront stretches between Mendota and Monona roll across the classic isthmus-city loop.
Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
The Des Moines Marathon attracts approximately 2,500 finishers each October through Iowa's capital on the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The course passes the Iowa State Capitol with its golden dome, the East Village district, and Gray's Lake park on flat prairie terrain. October's crisp Midwest autumn makes it Iowa's largest road race.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Fox Cities Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each September on an urban and suburban road in Appleton, United States. Linking several Wisconsin communities gives the event a bigger footprint than its finisher count suggests. The course passes Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through the valley cities. Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through Wisconsin's valley cities give September's race a bigger footprint than its finisher count.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
Read guide →
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
Read guide →
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Read guide →