2026 Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 4 Countdown

Q: When is the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is on Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. CT in downtown Minneapolis. It is part of a full Marathon Weekend (Oct 3–4) and traditionally runs on the first Sunday in October.

Q: How do you register for the Twin Cities Marathon, and how much does it cost?

Public registration for the 2026 events opened Tuesday, March 3, 2026 through the official Twin Cities In Motion site, on a tiered pricing schedule. Marathon entry started at $162 (plus processing fees) for the first pricing tier and rises as the field fills. The full marathon is capped at 11,000 runners, so it can sell out before race week.

Q: What is the Twin Cities Marathon course like?

It is a point-to-point route from Minneapolis to St. Paul, nicknamed "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America." You pass the Chain of Lakes, run both banks of the Mississippi River, and finish at the Minnesota State Capitol. The course is USATF-certified.

Q: How much elevation gain and how hard is the Twin Cities Marathon?

Total climbing is modest — about +575 ft (175 m) with no single climb longer than 100 ft — so the first 20 miles run fast. The challenge is the finish: a steady uphill from roughly miles 20 to 23 as you climb toward the State Capitol, which makes it a tougher closing stretch than the gentle profile suggests. A short downhill in the last half-mile helps you finish strong.

Q: Is the Twin Cities Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF-certified and recognized by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying. In recent years roughly 4–7% of finishers ran a Boston-qualifying time — the fast, mostly-flat first 20 miles help, though the uphill finish can cost you in the closing stretch.

Q: What is the time limit for the Twin Cities Marathon?

The official time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes from when the start line closes, which works out to about a 14:52 per-mile pace. Runners must reach the finish by roughly 2:50 p.m. to be in official results.

Q: What should I wear for early-October weather in Minnesota?

Expect a cool, crisp start near 46°F / 8°C, often warming into the 50s–60s°F by the finish. Dress in light layers with a throwaway top you can toss after the gun, and avoid overdressing — it warms up noticeably over 26.2 miles. Early October also brings some of the best fall color of any U.S. marathon.

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Race Information

Race	2026 Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 4
City	Minneapolis
Date	2026-10-04 at 08:00
Field Size	~11,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours 30 min
Timezone	America/Chicago
Official Site	Twin Cities In Motion
Registration	Register

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	8°C / 46°F
Humidity	72%
Wind	14 km/h
Rain Chance	25%
Typical Conditions	Crisp, cool autumn morning with peak fall color

What to Prepare: Early October in the Twin Cities is prime marathon weather — race-morning temperatures sit around 46°F / 8°C, often climbing into the 50s–60s by midday. It can be one of the prettiest fall-foliage backdrops in U.S. running. Dress in light layers with a throwaway top for the start, and don't overdress: it's cool at the gun but warms up over 26.2 miles.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 14 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Elevation Gain	175m
Terrain	Road (city streets and parkways)
Profile	A scenic point-to-point billed as "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America" — starting in downtown Minneapolis near U.S. Bank Stadium, winding past the Chain of Lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis), then north along both banks of the Mississippi River into St. Paul. The course is mostly flat-to-rolling with no climbs longer than 100 ft (about +575 ft / 175 m total gain), but the back half stiffens: a steady uphill from miles 20–23 leads to an iconic finish climbing toward the Minnesota State Capitol. USATF-certified and a recognized Boston qualifier.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 4

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Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

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What to Wear Running by Temperature — Clothing Guide

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Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

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Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is on Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. CT in downtown Minneapolis. It is part of a full Marathon Weekend (Oct 3–4) and traditionally runs on the first Sunday in October.

How do you register for the Twin Cities Marathon, and how much does it cost?

Public registration for the 2026 events opened Tuesday, March 3, 2026 through the official Twin Cities In Motion site, on a tiered pricing schedule. Marathon entry started at $162 (plus processing fees) for the first pricing tier and rises as the field fills. The full marathon is capped at 11,000 runners, so it can sell out before race week.

What is the Twin Cities Marathon course like?

It is a point-to-point route from Minneapolis to St. Paul, nicknamed "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America." You pass the Chain of Lakes, run both banks of the Mississippi River, and finish at the Minnesota State Capitol. The course is USATF-certified.

How much elevation gain and how hard is the Twin Cities Marathon?

Total climbing is modest — about +575 ft (175 m) with no single climb longer than 100 ft — so the first 20 miles run fast. The challenge is the finish: a steady uphill from roughly miles 20 to 23 as you climb toward the State Capitol, which makes it a tougher closing stretch than the gentle profile suggests. A short downhill in the last half-mile helps you finish strong.

Is the Twin Cities Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF-certified and recognized by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying. In recent years roughly 4–7% of finishers ran a Boston-qualifying time — the fast, mostly-flat first 20 miles help, though the uphill finish can cost you in the closing stretch.

What is the time limit for the Twin Cities Marathon?

The official time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes from when the start line closes, which works out to about a 14:52 per-mile pace. Runners must reach the finish by roughly 2:50 p.m. to be in official results.

What should I wear for early-October weather in Minnesota?

Expect a cool, crisp start near 46°F / 8°C, often warming into the 50s–60s°F by the finish. Dress in light layers with a throwaway top you can toss after the gun, and avoid overdressing — it warms up noticeably over 26.2 miles. Early October also brings some of the best fall color of any U.S. marathon.