Runners make a tunnel for the runner approaching the finish line at the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 1 2023. Even though the marathon was cancelled due to heat warnings, some runners didn’t let that stop them from partipating. (Gabrielle Erenstein/Pioneer Press).

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend kicks off Friday with some new twists in its 41st year.

One new event people can expect is the Best of the Midwest Invitational, a “race within a race” taking place during the marathon. Professional and aspiring Midwest athletes, who were chosen through an online application process, will race for a chance to win cash prizes.

Local athletes including Emma Lee, of St. Paul, Kim Horner, of Maplewood, Kevin Lewis, of Minneapolis, and Danny Docherty, of St. Paul are expected to run in the invitational. Invitational participants will lead the front of the marathon pack and will compete for a special $20,000 prize purse; they’re also eligible for the overall professional prize money.

Participants represent the Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Also new to the marathon is the inaugural TC Half Marathon for More, where 200 registered participants will run the final 13.1 miles of the marathon — which stretches from Nokomis Beach to the State Capitol — as part of a fundraising effort to support TC Kids Run Free, which invests in youth running for children under 18, and other Twin Cities in Motion projects.

For some people cheering on the race participants, this weekend will be a competition as well as the Diane and Alan Page Community Cheer Challenge is expected to have 40 cheer zones along the race course. That’s the most in the history of the challenge, which was founded in 2022 by Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer and Twin Cities in Motion supporter Alan Page.

Participants in the Community Cheer Challenge can win prizes and a donation to a charity of choice. Although applications to participate in the Community Cheer Challenge are closed, people are are encouraged to join in and help motivate athletes. A map of cheer zones can be found at tcmevents.org/dapccc.

Runners and road closures

Over 28,000 people are expected to participate in this weekend’s festivities, which officially begin with the Health and Fitness Expo at the St. Paul RiverCentre, beginning at 11 a.m. Friday until Saturday evening, where marathon participants pick up their packets and are able to visit over 75 exhibits.

Participants doing the Twin Cities 5K and 10K runs will do so on Saturday beginning at the State Capitol. Families also can get in on the action Saturday with the Medtronic Twin Cities Family Events, consisting of the KARE 11 Family Mile, iHeartRadio Half Mile and the Diaper Dash.

The route map for the 2024 Twin Cities Marathon, scheduled to take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. The marathon starts in downtown Minneapolis and will conclude at the State Capitol in St. Paul. (Courtesy of Twin Cities in Motion)

There will be a sold-out crowd for the Twin Cities 10-Mile Run and the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, with 12,000 people participating in the 10-miler and 9,000 people participating in the marathon.

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Drivers this weekend should expect road closures near the Capitol starting 9 a.m. Thursday, with a part of Summit Avenue east of Snelling Avenue to close Saturday.

Parts of downtown Minneapolis will be closed to vehicle traffic early Sunday, but will reopen on a rolling basis as the marathon and 10-mile run proceed down their respective routes.

People can use Interstates 94 and 35 to get around the metro area on Sunday and are encouraged to be aware of meters and no parking signs along and near race courses, and to use public transportation if possible.

For more information on this weekend’s festivities, visit the marathon’s website, tcmevents.org.