Runners of the Medtronic Twin Cities 10-mile race next month are in for a change of scenery.

Officials for the Oct. 5 race have rerouted the course around a section of West River Parkway, which was closed following a June mudslide. The 10,000 runners signed up for the event will still start the race on Portland Avenue S. near 3rd Street, then run northeast on Portland to West River Parkway. Instead of dropping down into the Bohemian Flats area, the course will pass 11th Avenue, 2nd Street and 13th Avenue before reaching the Dinkytown Greenway and continue on to the Dinkytown Bridge, which is also known as the Northern Pacific No. 9 Bridge.

One lane of the Dinkytown Greenway will remain open to the public during the race. The race continues on its traditional route after the course's first three miles.

It's only the second time organizers have altered the course in the race's 16 years. It was rerouted in 2007 after the I-35W bridge collapse.

"We're pleased with the rerouted course that we were able to design with the help of the city of Minneapolis and the Park and Recreation Board," said Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of Twin Cities in Motion. "I think the 10,000 registrants in the event will enjoy the changed route and have a memorable experience running on the limited-edition course."

The Twin Cities Marathon and other events on its race weekend won't be affected by the road closing.

Marathon runners will, however, notice one major change at the start of the race: the absence of the Metrodome and its restrooms.

Organizers said they plan to bring in more portable toilets to accommodate runners and spectators. They are also encouraging participants to arrive early, as bus dropoff spots and the flow of traffic will likely be different from at previous races.

Erin Golden • 612-673-4790