ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon has been dubbed "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America" and this weekend nearly 12,000 runners will participate.
Each year around 300,000 spectators help to make the marathon truly special. Here are some of the points of interest and good spots for catching the runners as they go by. We'll be adding additional spots from our viewers as the week goes by.
Starting line in downtown Minneapolis: This year the runners will line up and start near where the Metrodome once stood and where the new Vikings Stadium is being constructed. The starting line is located on S. 6th Street between Park Ave. and Portland Ave.
Mile 3 Kenwood Neighborhood Mpls: On Douglas Avenue runners take a left and pass Lake of the Isles.
Mile 5 Lake Calhoun: The marathon course follows the lake's west side.
Mile 7 Lake Harriet: The marathon course follows the lakes' northeast shore. Lots of neighbors gather to cheer on the participants.
Mile 8 Minnehaha Parkway: After Lake Harriet runners turn east and follow Minnehaha Parkway.
Mile 13 Lake Nokomis: The halfway point in the marathon is reached on the eastern shores of Lake Nokomis.
Mile 15 West River Road: The Marathon guide says this is one of the most beautiful stretches of the race.
Mile 20 The ALARC Wall: After crossing the Mississippi on Franklin Bridge the runners cross over to St. Paul through a "wall" sponsored by the Active Life and Running Club.
Mile 21 East River Road Hill: You can cheer on the runners as they tackle the hill to the University of St. Thomas.
Mile 24 The Governor's Mansion: At 1006 Summit Avenue you can watch the runners pass by the Governor's Mansion. In years past Minnesota governors have joined spectators in cheering on the runners.
Mile 26 Cathedral Hill: It's downhill from here to the finish line and it's a great place to help runners face that end stretch. It's a beautiful end with the State Capitol as the backdrop.
Suggestions from our KARE 11 Facebook page:
Gina Lecy says "volunteering at the finish line"
Keith Olson says "The best place to watch is from your running shoes. The crowds along the way are great. High fives to all spectators! Kudos to those who share their Jolly Ranchers at mile 21"
Christine Zuchora-Walske says "At the south end of the Cedar Av. bridge over Lake Nokomis -- not only because I can walk there, but also because it's a great place to watch! It's fun to see the hordes of racers coming over the crest of the bridge."
Therese Sonnek says "I go to mile 7, mile 14, mile 18, mile 21 and the finish."
Amy Kedrowski Brown says "Mile 18 to 24"
