Join us for one of the best marathon experiences you'll have all season: The 2010 Minneapolis Marathon & Half Marathon Sunday, June 6th. It is the second year for this Downtown Minneapolis event, that the Minneapolis Star Tribune (May 31, 2009) calls "an everyman/everywoman's race".  Team Ortho Foundation wants the best for all athletes our events.  To prove it, we do free half and full marathon training in the spring, on race day we have pacers ready to help you achieve your personal best, inspirational quotes at each mile-marker, a flag for each state represented by a runner in the race, and of course, we have great running gear for participants; in 2010 stained glass medals you don't want to miss out on!

Click Here To Register for the 5K and 5K-9: Deadline: June 2! (Registration for the Minneapolis Marathon and Half Marathon is now closed)

See More Photos of the Minneapolis Marathon

The Minneapolis Marathon "out and back" course starts and ends near the Depot Hotel and follows the beautiful banks of the Mississippi River to Fort Snelling State Park where the Mighty Mississippi meets the Minnesota River. Imagine just how beautiful that will be on a crisp June morning in Minnesota. "Awesome event! Quite possibly THE most beautiful urban run in the country!" said one runner who was one of many who provided tremendous feedback on our event.  For another view of the course and elevation click here.  The Minneapolis Marathon is also a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Part of what makes this event so unique is the great gear runners receive when they register.  ALL finishers of the Minneapolis Marathon get a free running jacket.  But if you are from out of state, you could earn a little something extra. The first three people from each state who register for the Marathon will be mailed a performance running fleece.

The medals for the Marathon and Half Marathon is stained-glass and beautiful!  It is something you'll want to show off to your friends, hang in a window or put on display. Half marathoners, 5K and 5K-9 runners will receive a dye sublimated t-shirt.  And new this year the shirts will have sizing for both men and women!  5K-9 runners receive a shirt and a collar/leash for their dog. 

After you cross the finishline, there will be several tables of refreshments for the athletes. 

Team Ortho Foundation is proud to have all kinds of athletes with various experience levels at our races.  We have pace teams that help runners keep to their goals and maybe even help them achieve personal records!  Walkers are also welcome to register for either the 5K or the Half Marathon. 

Another great part of the Marathon is the number of hotels within close proximity of the start line!The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel has great offers for runners who want to stay  with them.  It's something to consider since the start line is just a few steps from their front door.

2010 also brings in a new team competition called the Hometown Challenge.  The competition will involve both the marathon and the half marathon. What is it?  In the Hometown Challenge, the top two overall fastest cities in 5 population categories win.   The competition brings runners together to work toward a common team goal as well as their own personal records. There is no added fee for the Hometown Challenge. Click here to view the details of the Hometown Challenge and how you get involved.

Team Ortho Foundation is looking forward to this big race day, and we hope you do too!  See you at the expo on June 5 and race day on June 6, 2010!