Twin Cities Marathon
Minneapolis, United States of America · Sunday 4 October 2026
The Twin Cities Marathon is an annual 26.2-mile (42.195 km) race held in early October that runs through the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The course begins near U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis and finishes at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Participants follow a point-to-point route that winds through urban neighborhoods, along city parkways, and around four prominent lakes: Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:05:36
Time difference: +5.6 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain176m
Elevation High290m
Elevation Low240m
Weather Forecast
High26°C
Low11°C
Chance of Rain28%
How hard is Twin Cities Marathon?
Difficultharder than 60% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Twin Cities Marathon plays about 9 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #463 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #245 of 575 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Twin Cities Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Twin Cities Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:01:35 | +01:35 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:33:30 | +03:30 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:05:36 | +05:36 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:37:51 | +07:51 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:10:15 | +10:15 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:42:47 | +12:47 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:15:27 | +15:27 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Twin Cities Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Twin Cities Marathon is a full marathon held in Minneapolis, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 4 October 2026. The course is run on road surface with 176m of total climbing, with its high point near 290m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Twin Cities Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 176m of total climbing, this is a gently undulating course. The elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't greatly affect your pacing.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for October, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 11°C and 26°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a moderate chance of rain (28%). Runners may want to prepare for wet conditions but shouldn't expect persistent rainfall.
Surface Type: Road
Twin Cities Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Twin Cities Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Twin Cities Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
Other Marathons in United States of America
Beantown Marathon
Hingham, United States of America
Road174m gainSept 2026
Bound for Boston Marathon
Suwanee, United States of America
Road180m gainSept 2026
Sackets Harbor Marathon
Sackets Harbor, United States of America
Road174m gainSept 2026
Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon
Geneva, United States of America
Road113m gainSept 2026
Tupelo Marathon
Tupelo, United States of America
Road261m gainSept 2026
REVEL Big Bear Marathon
Big Bear Lake, United States of America
Trail101m gainSept 2026