Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon already half full

More than 50 percent of the 11,000 spots available for the 2008 running of the Twin Cities Marathon are already gone and the race could fill in record time, officials say

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: April 23, 2008 - 7:18 AM

Registrations for the 27th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon are coming in at such a swift pace that the field for the race could fill in record time.

And that's even after marathon officials increased the number of runners that will be allowed to participate in the race on Oct. 5. This year, 11,000 runners will be allowed to compete 26.2-mile race from the Metrodome in Minneapolis to the State Capitol in St. Paul. That us up from 10,500 last year, said Kristine Smith, a marathon spokeswoman.

Online registration began Friday, and in the first four days nearly 6,000 people had registered, with runners coming from 12 countries and all 50 states, Smith said.

"We are a tiny bit ahead of last year," Smith said.

With 50 percent of the available spots taken, it's likely that the race will fill in the next two weeks. The race normally fills within 20 days of when registration opens, but in 2006 runners snapped up the 7,500 spots in a record 15 days. Last year the race filled in 19 days.

Interest in the race is expanding, even as costs go up. The entry fee this year is $95, up from $85 the past three years.

Smith said the price increase is largely a result of fees race organizers are charged to use parks and parkways in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and for security, food, water and prizes.

The Twin Cities Marathon is the 10th largest marathon in the country, based on the number of finishers in 2007.

For registration information for the marathon and related events, see www.mtcmarathon.org.