If the adage that “you can’t be what you can’t see” is true, then Twin Cities In Motion’s new program to lower participation barriers for underrepresented populations in our community should help change the face of running events in Minnesota starting at this fall's Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend.
In step with the organization’s vision of a level start line, Twin Cities In Motion has launched Equity in Motion, a program financially supporting the inclusion of underrepresented community members in marathon weekend events.
It’s a value that program creator and leader Allison Greenlee of TCM understands personally.
“Growing up without LGBTQ+ representation - feeling like I am 'the only one'. It's a lonely and scary place to be,” she told The Connection. “I'm in a place now where I know I can make a difference for others - whether they're struggling with their identity or feeling a lack of representation in this sport. My hope is for anyone feeling this way, they will see and feel how diverse the running community really is and find a connection.”
The program is an effort by TCM to foster a community where ethnic, social, or economic status aren’t barriers to anyone’s movement journey and where a warm invitation is extended to those who have historically faced systemic disadvantages.
Through the Equity in Motion program, participants who identify as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC), an athlete with a disability, transgender, non-binary, or are from another historically underrepresented community may apply for discounted entry for 2025 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend events.
Equity in Motion is offering 300 discounted entries to any of our Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend events, not including the TC Half Marathon for More charity fundraising race and the TC Loony and Ultra Loony Challenges.
Participants interested in support from the program can learn more and apply here.
“We know economic barriers aren’t the only hurdles runners face,” Allison noted. “We look at the discounted entry fee as a small step in reducing one of the barriers that can prevent people from participating in TCM events.”
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The power of movement connects, heals, and energizes individuals and the community.
The TC Half Marathon for More offers community-minded runners an opportunity to support TCM's mission or the missions of an array of charities by running a charity-focused half marathon event that culminates at the marathon finish line. Entrants are required to donate or raise their charity funds before Marathon Weekend.
The TC Half Marathon for More field is limited to just 400 runners total, so commit early and help show what it means to move for more!
Still mulling your reason to run? Still choosing your distance to race? Check out all the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend features and options!
There's More Time for Your Marathon in 2025! - We've extended the marathon time limit by 30 minutes to 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Why Not Run for a Cause? - TCM aims to Raise the Community Pace by encouraging runners to support nonprofits with their races. Consider joining a Charity Team here.
Need Something Shorter? - Consider the TC 5K, presented by Fredrikson, or the TC 10K, presented by Dermatology Consultants. Both are walker-friendly!
Need Something Loonier? - The TC Loony and Ultra Loony Challenges put you in three races over two days for an epic marathon weekend experience,.
Remember, Kids Run Free at TCM - On marathon weekend and all year! From the diaper dash to the marathon itself, youths age 18 and under run at no cost thanks to our generous TCM Members and donors.
Run a Race Dedicated to Charity - Support TCM's mission or those of other nonprofits by running our charity-focused half marathon event, the TC Half Marathon for More.
Running USA's 2025 Global Runner Survey is now accepting responses from runners like you! Please share your thoughts today and help make races and running better for all. Twin Cities In Motion is proud to be a part of Running USA, a non-profit organization that supports our sport. Your insights will be used to help events like ours, as well as running brands, deliver the experiences and products you are looking for.
Registration prices for Get in Gear rise on Friday. Reserve your 5K, 10K or Medtronic Half Marathon spot in an event that's been a fixture of the Twin Cities running scene for decades.
Get in Gear is on a sell-out pace, so there's no reason to delay your commitment to Minnesota's Annual Rite of Spring.
The dynamic Medtronic Half Marathon course full of personality that passes the historical homes on Summit Avenue as well as the classic stretch along the Mississippi River
A 5K that's great for walkers and walk-runners!
A finisher medal and a fresh new look with an ASICS technical tee
A finish line festival featuring live entertainment and a free Summit beer (21+ with ID) at the beautiful Minnehaha Falls Regional Park
Prices bump up after 11:59 p.m. Thursday, so get in gear now and save!
Pour it On: With the Half and Half Challenge!
Run the Get in Gear Medtronic Half Marathon on Saturday, April 26, and follow it up with second 13.1M race the next day in Eau Claire, Wisconsin -- two states, two halves, one big weekend. Pour it on at the Half and Half Challenge.
Get in Gear is just around the corner, and we’ve got the perfect apparel to keep you looking and feeling great on race day! From performance tanks to cozy sweatshirts and stylish accessories, our exclusive race gear is designed for runners and supporters alike. Don't miss out—grab your Get in Gear merch today and join us in making this event unforgettable!
Volunteer registration Get in Gear is underway. Like all Twin Cities In Motion events, it relies on volunteers for a variety of race-week and race-day roles. Including for:
Fluid Stations
Course Marshals
Gear Check
Green Team
Check out all the Get in Gear volunteer roles and sign up for one here.
Are you part of a nonprofit looking to fundraise for your cause? Join our group volunteer donation program! You can download the group volunteer packet & application here on our website.
Looking for more? We have TCM Association positions available for Get in Gear. Consider joining our team of people-powered volunteer leaders, who work alongside our staff to make our events run.
Have questions regarding all the ways in which you can donate your time, energy, and talents? Email volunteer@tcmevents.org.
Run, Walk, Move: PNC Women Run the Cities
With a scenic route, an uplifting atmosphere, and the camaraderie of a supportive community, PNC Women Run the Cities on Saturday, May 17 is an experience that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.
PNC Women Run the Cities features:
Celebration of your accomplishment with brunch bites, mimosas (21+ with ID), and an electric post-race atmosphere
Challenge yourself for 10 miles or 10K
The 5K is great for walkers and walk-runners
A free beer (21+ with ID) for participants at the Summit Beer Garden
A Storm Creek hooded long sleeve participant shirt and finisher medal
The race benefits our charity partner Girls on the Run Minnesota, inspiring girls and gender-expansive youth in Minnesota through running and interactive curriculum
Sadly, this is my last Motion Expert article for The Connection. I'm making space for some new voices on the TCM Motion Expert team now that I've left Minnesota to be Assistant Professor of Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in my native Canada.
I have loved connecting with runners throughout my time writing as a TCM Motion Expert! I thought, for
my last article I would share my three favorite sport psychology tips for runners and a few of my favorite running reads.
Practice what you want to do in a race in your training runs.
If you’re looking to implement any mental skills in your races, make sure to practice them in your training runs. Like building physical fitness, developing mental skills takes time and practice!
Let go of the things you can’t control.
Runners often get caught up on things they cannot control, like checking the weather repeatedly before the race. Focusing on things we cannot control can exacerbate anxiety and is not particularly productive. Instead, focus on what you can control!
Practice gratitude for running.
Gratitude is about recognizing the good things that happen. Practicing gratitude can improve both your performance and experience as a runner. You can work gratitude into your running routine by writing things you’re grateful for in your training log, or doing gratitude intervals while you run (focusing on something you're grateful for for a specific period of your run). Gratitude has been found to help runners improve enjoyment, performance, and overall well-being!
I love to run and I also love to read about running! Here are some books I have really enjoyed (including a couple by Minnesota runners!) that may educate, inspire, or challenge you!
Twin Cities In Motion thanks Hayley for her contributions to the organization over the years. We wish her all the best in her new position. Read all of Hayley's archived Motion Expert articles here. Read more articles by all TCM's Motion Experts team here, on the TCM Blog.
Hayley Russell, PhD, is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, runner, and professor of health and exercise psychology. She has been one of the team of Motion Experts TCM has gathered to help its subscribers and participants get the most out of their running. Visit Hayley at psychologyofrunning.com.
Coming in April to the Motion Center!
🏃🏃Avoid and Recover from Common Runner's Injuries 🏃🏃
Twin Cities In Motion seeking a full-time Event Operations Manager to join the team in 2025. Learn all about the position here.
The position will be responsible for leading the finish area operations for all Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend event and contribute to all other TCM events, primarily in finish area logistics and event operations preparation and execution.
Twin Cities In Motion is a 501(c)(3) organization and one of Minnesota’s largest champions of physical activity, driven by our mission to “Move for More.” With more than 40 years of service, we’ve learned that we improve when we move together.
So, join our team! Let’s lace up our shoes and embark on this journey together!
Thank You for Reading the Connection!
Thank you for reading the Connection and being part of the Twin Cities In Motion running community. We'll be back next week with more news and community. Stay in touch with TCM in the meantime via our social media channels. Contact us directly with your questions, story ideas or whatever is on your mind at info@tcmevents.org.
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