The Twin Cities Marathon Weekend is bringing thousands of runners, families and spectators to Minneapolis and Saint Paul for a packed schedule of races and events. The 2026 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon takes runners from downtown Minneapolis to the Minnesota State Capitol, but the weekend offers much more than the 26.2-mile race. From packet pickup and the Health & Fitness Expo to family races, the 27th Mile celebration and live race coverage, there are several details participants and spectators will want to know before heading out.
The Marathon Runs From Minneapolis to the State Capitol
The 2026 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon follows a point-to-point route that begins in downtown Minneapolis and ends at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds in Saint Paul. The marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, with the professional wheelchair division starting at 7:52 a.m., the AWD field at 7:55 a.m., professional athletes at 7:58 a.m. and the main corral and mass start at 8 a.m. Runners are advised to arrive at the Minneapolis start area by 7 a.m., giving them time to reach their corrals and take care of last-minute needs before the race begins.
Race Morning Has Several Different Start Times
The starting line will not send every runner onto the course at exactly the same moment. The 2026 schedule separates the professional wheelchair, AWD, professional athlete and mass-start fields, with only a few minutes between each group. That staggered approach helps organize a large field and gives different divisions room to begin safely. For most participants, the key time to remember is 8 a.m., when Corral 1 and the mass start are scheduled. Anyone racing should check their assigned corral and race information rather than assuming every participant has the same start time.
Race Packets Must Be Picked Up Before Sunday
There is one important deadline runners should not overlook: there is no marathon packet pickup on Sunday. The Health & Fitness Expo at Saint Paul RiverCentre is open Friday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants need to plan their visit around those hours because race-morning pickup is not an option. The organizers also recommend planning ahead for travel to the Expo, with construction and other downtown activity potentially affecting traffic around RiverCentre.
The Expo Is More Than a Packet Pickup Stop
For runners and spectators, the Health & Fitness Expo doubles as a full Marathon Weekend gathering. Admission is free and open to the public, and the 2026 Expo features more than 60 exhibitors. Visitors can shop official race merchandise, check out ASICS gear and shoes, take photos, visit the spectator sign station and meet race pacers. The Expo is held at Saint Paul RiverCentre, making it a useful stop not only for collecting race materials but also for getting familiar with the weekend atmosphere before the marathon itself.
Marathon Weekend Includes Much More Than 26.2 Miles
The main marathon is only one part of the weekend’s schedule. Saturday, October 3, includes the USATF 10K Championships, TC 10K, TC 5K, Family Mile, Half Mile, Mascot Invitational, Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot, along with a family activity area and another day of the Health & Fitness Expo. Sunday adds the Medtronic TC 10 Mile and TC Half Marathon for More before and alongside the marathon events. That gives runners and families several ways to participate, whether they are competing in a longer race, joining a children’s event or simply coming out to support someone.
The Finish Line Leads Into the 27th Mile
Crossing the marathon finish line is not quite the end of the celebration. The 27th Mile will take place on the State Capitol grounds from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving runners a place to reunite with friends and family after the race. The area includes a Summit Brewing Co. beer garden, photo stops and race merchandise. There is also a live music stage featuring local indie-pop artist Landon Conrath from noon to 2 p.m. The setup gives finishers and their supporters a designated place to spend time together after the marathon rather than immediately dispersing once the race is over.
Marathon Monday Brings Runners Together Early
The Marathon Monday Kick-Off Gathering and Run is designed as a low-pressure way for participants to connect before race weekend reaches its biggest moments. The event at the Motion Center includes a 5K run and walk along the Mississippi River, with hosted pace groups welcoming runners of different speeds. Participants can also hear race-week advice from Motion Experts, connect with Twin Cities In Motion ambassadors and staff, enjoy food and drinks, listen to music, enter prize drawings and create cheer signs for supporters. ASICS shoe demonstrations are also planned, and the event is free and open to everyone.
Friends Can Follow the Race From Home
People who cannot make it to the course can still follow the action. Twin Cities In Motion and KARE 11 are scheduled to provide free digital coverage of Sunday’s marathon, half marathon and 10-mile events from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The live production will be available through KARE 11’s website, its iOS and Android app, YouTube and the KARE 11+ app for Roku and Fire TV. The Twin Cities In Motion app will also let people track participants while providing course maps, schedules, Expo information and transportation details, making it easier for family and friends to keep up with runners throughout race day.
