Top 10 Marathons Near Minneapolis

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a prominent fall marathon held annually in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Known as 'The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America,' it showcases the scenic urban and natural landscapes of the Twin Cities, attracting thousands of runners each year from across the United States and beyond.[2][8]

The TC Half Marathon for More is a community-driven, charity-focused half marathon held as part of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend. It features a unique experience where runners participate in the second half of the full marathon course.

Minnesota's premier spring half marathon, the Get in Gear Medtronic Half Marathon features a scenic 13.1-mile route from Saint Paul Cathedral to Minnehaha Falls Park. This event serves as an important spring training milestone for runners, with a 3-hour finish time requirement and aid stations spaced throughout the course. Interesting fact: The half marathon is part of Minnesota's Annual Rite of Spring, attracting over 6,000 participants across all event distances annually.

The Red, White & Boom TC Half Marathon is a summertime event held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, featuring a mixed-terrain course that winds through the city's scenic routes and park paths. As a predominantly flat-to-rolling course with minimal elevation changes, it offers a tactical challenge balanced with accessible running opportunities. The event typically coincides with Independence Day celebrations, blending patriotic atmosphere with athletic competition.

A USATF-certified 13.1-mile half marathon through Minneapolis' lakeside parkways, offering both scenic views and competitive pacing. Launched as a 25K in the 1960s, this event transitioned to its current format in 2014 to better serve modern runner preferences while maintaining its legacy as one of Minnesota's oldest running events. The course’s flat-to-gently-rolling terrain features elevation changes under 890 feet (271 meters), making it equally accessible to first-timers and elite athletes vying for state championships.

The Twin Cities Twilight Relays represents a unique twist on the traditional half marathon format, operating as a 4-person relay race that covers approximately 13.1 miles total around Minneapolis' scenic Lake Bde Maka Ska. Launched in 2025 by Endurance Sports Consultancy, this evening event combines competitive racing with festival atmosphere, featuring a 6:00 PM start time that allows teams to race into the twilight hours. An interesting tactical element is that each team member runs an identical 3.25-mile clockwise loop, creating equal contribution from all participants while maintaining the strategic relay format that emphasizes both individual performance and team coordination.

The PNC Women Run the Cities event focuses exclusively on women's participation, offering a 10-mile, 10K, 5K, and Kids Race. **Important Note**: The event currently does not include a half marathon distance. It is known for fostering community, promoting wellness, and celebrating female runners. This summary is provided based on available verified details only.

The Urban Wildland Half Marathon represents a unique community-driven racing experience in Richfield, Minnesota, where 100% of proceeds directly support environmental education through Wood Lake Nature Center[2][3]. This USATF-certified half marathon takes runners through a distinctive blend of urban neighborhoods, natural parklands, and the scenic Wood Lake area, creating what organizers describe as an 'urban hometown celebration' of Richfield's running culture[2]. An interesting aspect of this event is its 50+ year partnership between the Richfield School District and Wood Lake Nature Center, making it one of the longest-running educational partnerships funded by a single racing event in Minnesota, bringing K-6 students to the nature center multiple times annually as part of their science curriculum[4].