Marathon Running for Beginners

The 10 Best Beginner Marathons

These courses are fun, flat, and friendly to first-timers

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

The 10 Best Beginner Marathons // racers at the Twin Cities Marathon © Competitive Image

Image: Competitive Image
October 2, 2011

11,200 marathoners

Reason to run: The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is called the most beautiful urban marathon for a reason. Starting in Minneapolis and ending in St. Paul, the course crosses by lakes, rivers, scenic parkways and mansions. Race-day temperatures start around 40˚F at the start and only go up to the mid-50s, so it’s nice and cool for running.

Added bonus: “With 300,000 spectators, you just always have that vibe and energy from beginning to end. You get the crowds of the big races, but with 8,000 finishers there’s still that personal touch,” says Virginia Achman, executive director of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

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