Forget the Marathon: Why You Should Run the TC 5k, 10k, or Family Events

We all know about the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile, but most people aren’t aware that there are seven other events going on during the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend. Whether you’re a speedster looking to best your 5K or 10K time, or a competitive crawler looking to enter the diaper dash circuit, the TC 5K, 10K, and Family Events literally have an option for every age and ability.

Regsiter for 5K, 10K or other Family Events!

Not only do the shorter distances offer different types of physical and mental challenges, but they are designed to get more people involved in physical activity through a sense of shared experience.

What you Should Know about the TC 5K and 10K

The TC 5K and 10K course are out and back routes that start and end near the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol. You’ll be treated to a not-so-slight uphill near the start, a tree-lined boulevard along Summit Ave, and a fast finish back down the hill. If you’re familiar with the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile course, you’ll run the route to the finish in reverse, then turn around.

The TC 5K was born in 1986 when race organizers wanted to add more to their marathon weekend experience. Fun Fact: Dick Beardsley won the first ever TC 5k. The Kids One Mile began a few years later as part of TCM’s youth programming effort. The 10K is a newer addition since 2009.

There are roughly 3,000 runners in both the 5K and 10K events.

Adam Pettipiece told us via Twitter that he chose the TC 10K as his comeback race last year.

I picked this as my goal race coming back from surgery a year before. It’s well organized, a challenging yet great course, and as with any event that weekend, the fan support is great.

Rachel B shared with us via Twitter that

[the] 5K and 10K were both very well-managed and a nice size, not over-crowded. It would be a great first 5K or 10K experience.

Although full in 2016, these two races are part of the Challenge Series you may want to look into for 2017.

Challenge Your Colleagues

A big part of the TC 5K and 10K events is the corporate challenge. Virginia Brophy Achman, Executive Director at Twin Cities In Motion, says a big part of their mission is wellness of the broader Twin Cities Community.

Everyone knows us for the marathon, but another important part of our mission is supporting community wellness. The Corporate Team Challenge program gives the Twin Cities community a way to be active together and provides a supportive, accessible entry point.

Studies have shown that promoting physical activity in the workplace increases productivity, increases employee engagement, and saves the company money in the long run (healthier employees have less health care costs).

A few additional perks of the corporate challenge include;

• Pre-race coffee and post-race snacks and beverages for all Corporate Team Challenge participants in a private tent.
• Prize drawings specifically for CTC participants post-race.
• AWARDS: The top three teams in each division (fastest team, largest number of participants) receive awards. Additionally, the winning team in each division will have the plaque presented in person at your office by a TCM staff member.

If you’d like to start your own team, download the captain’s packet, then register your team and start training! No matter the speed, running as a team will be fun for your whole office!

But Wait, there’s more! Get the Whole Family Involved!

If running a 5K still seems a little daunting, Twin Cities In Motion offers the Medtronic TC Family Events, consisting of a family mile, half mile, toddler trot, diaper dash and more. “Walk, jump or run, wiggle or crawl, there’s fun at our races to be had by all!”

Olympian Carrie Tollefson, one of our local running hero, had this to say about the family events.

Twin Cities Marathon weekend is always a great weekend for family events. When my entire family did “Tollefson’s Tackle Twin Cities” we had a blast running everything from the diaper dash on up to the marathon. I think my family is all about getting after life, and that weekend is basically the epitome of getting after it.

Katie Knight told us via twitter that,

I think the entire TCM race weekend is one of the most positive and uplifting experiences that takes place in the Twin Cities, and I didn’t know that until running the 5K allowed me to be a part of it. The 5K course is beautiful, there is electricity in the atmosphere, and the entire process from packet pickup to crossing the finish line is genuinely fun and exciting!

All participants get the same rock-star treatment as the longer events, with finisher medals, t-shirts, post-race food, entertainment and more. It’s a terrific way to be part of the amazing atmosphere of marathon weekend, without having to run 26.2 miles.

Twin Cities In Motion contributes a portion of every race dollar to local youth and professional athletes, and helps raise more than $950,000 annually with its charity partners.

Regsiter for all weekend events here!

Have you participated in any of these events before? What did you think? Share below!