Posted: January 28, 2005

Athletics: Twin Cities Marathon Introduces Downtown One Mile Race

From: Megan Ryan, Marketing & PR Manager

The Newest Addition to TCM is part of America's Downtown Mile Race Series

MINNEAPOLIS - (Jan. 27, 2005) - The Twin Cities Marathon has announced the newest member of its Marathon family, the "TC 1 Mile". The race, which is also the newest addition to America's Downtown Mile Race Series, is set to charge through the streets of downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 6:35pm. The one mile road race will start on Nicollet Mall and will cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, finishing near the 222 Event Centre, where race results will be posted and Award Ceremony and Marathon Registration Kick-off party will take place.

"This new member of the TCM family of events is a great way to kick-off Marathon Registration, while drawing attention to the sport of running in general," said Race Operations Manager Brian Mastel. "If we can motivate someone to take the first step and run the TC 1 Mile, our hope is that some day they will be able to conquer the TC 10 Mile and even the marathon," continued Mastel.

The race revives a similar downtown mile event that took place in the 1980s. That race drew thousands, including a couple of bright eyed high school students named Suzy Favor and Rod DeHaven. Favor surprised the field and won the race, going on to become a 4-time U.S. Champion and compete in three Olympics.

Runners from all over the region will compete for prize money as well as the opportunity to win a trip to Boulder, Colorado to compete in the America's Downtown Mile Series Championship on Pearl Street. TCM organization joined the America's Downtown Mile Race Series this year, which also hosts events in Washington State, Portland, Boise and Colorado. The men's and women's overall and masters winners will win airfare to Boulder for the Series Championship. The Series' race dates are slated across the country starting in April and continuing through the end of August.

In addition to the alluring Minneapolis location, the weekday event has an evening start time and a multiple wave start. Runners compete against their own age group. Participants will receive a technical participant shirt and be invited to attend the post-race party where guaranteed entry to the 2005 Twin Cities Marathon is available.

This inaugural year will have a 1,000 runner participation cap and participants are encouraged to sign-up early. Registration is $15 and includes a race T-shirt. Online registration begins March 1 at www.twincitiesmarathon.org.

The 2005 Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place September 30 - October 2. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, two-day health and fitness expo and a 10-mile race in addition to the marathon. Twin Cities Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, continues its 15th consecutive year as the designated USATF National Masters Championship for both men and women and will also host the USA Men's and Women's Marathon Championships. Major corporate sponsors for the marathon are Cub Foods and Seagate Technology. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

The race website is at: www.twincitiesmarathon.org.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.