Posted: February 15, 2006

Athletics: Twin Cities Marathon Adds Title Sponsor

From David Monti

© 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

The Twin Cities Marathon, which will celebrate their 25th edition on Sunday, Oct. 1, announced today that for the first time in their history they have taken on a title sponsor.

Medtronic, Inc., a medical technology company headquartered in Minneapolis, has purchased the right to see their name on the race which will now be called the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. According to race organizers, the sponsorship agreement is a five-year deal.

"This is a wonderful partnership based on shared values of encouraging and helping people live healthier, more active lives," said Virginia Brophy Achman, the executive director of the event which also includes a 10 mile run, a 5-K run/walk and a children's run. Medtronic will also be the title sponsor of a road mile to be held on April 25, the Medtronic TC 1 Mile, which also kicks off marathon registration.

Ms. Achman continued: "Together, we will be able to do more than ever before to help promote health and exercise with Minnesota families. This partnership provides us with the expanded resources needed to bring life-changing messages to people, all while continuing to conduct world-class race events."

The Twin Cities Marathon, which starts in Minneapolis and ends in its sister city, St. Paul., boasts one of the prettiest urban marathon courses in the United States. It has hosted several national marathon championships for both open and masters athletes, including 2005 and 2006. Last year's edition had 7753 finishers in the marathon, 3974 in the 10-miler and 1151 in the 5-K. The men's course record of 2:10:05 by Phil Coppess in 1985 is one of the oldest marathon records in the United States.

"We’re delighted to join forces with a hometown institution that so perfectly complements our own community efforts," said Art Collins, chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic. "Medtronic’s mission calls for us to improve the health and well-being of the communities where we live and work. Working with this first-class organization and its committed staff and volunteers, we gain a powerful partner to help fulfill that mission."

In the 2005 edition, Kenyan-born American Mbarak Hussein took both the U.S. open and masters national titles in very humid conditions, recording a 2:18:28 finish time and earning $38,000 in open and masters prize money. Nicole Aish won the women's race in her debut at the distance in 2:40:21, winning the U.S. open title. Susan Loken, 42, won the U.S. masters title in 2:43:10, finishing third overall.

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