Starting in 2027, Twin Cities Marathon Weekend Moves to Mid-October

For over four decades, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend has welcomed runners, walkers, volunteers, spectators, and community partners on the first Sunday in October. Beginning in 2027, that long standing tradition will shift slightly later in the season.

Twin Cities In Motion announced that, starting in 2027, Marathon Weekend will move to a mid-October schedule, with event dates falling between October 10-17. The change follows a multi-year review of weather, safety, operational demands, and participant experience, and it's designed to improve the likelihood of safer, more ideal race day conditions.

The decision comes after years of careful evaluation, including the extreme heat that forced the cancellation of Sunday events in 2023 and elevated Event Alert System readings in subsequent years. Long-term climate data and race-day trends show that moving later in October offers a more stable weather profile, including cooler average temperatures and better overnight cooling.

For runners, those seemingly modest changes can matter.

“Protecting the health of every runner, from first-timers to elites, is our top priority," said TCM Co-Medical Directors Dr. Jacob Kastner, DO, CAQSM and Dr. David Supik, DO, CAQSM. "Even modest cooling temperature changes can significantly reduce physiological strain, improve hydration balance, and lower the risk of serious medical events. This means more people finishing safely and breaking personal records. Moving to mid-October meaningfully improves those outcomes.” 

Each year, Marathon Weekend draws more than 30,000 registrants, welcomes runners from all 50 states and over 24 countries, relies on nearly 4,000 volunteers, and brings more than 300,000 spectators to the Minneapolis-to-St. Paul course. The event also generates nearly $50 million in annual economic impact, making it not only one of the nation's largest running weekends, but also a major Minnesota community tradition.

Because of that scale, the date change was reviewed with runners, medical partners, public safety agencies, climatologists, sponsors, tourism organizations, volunteers, and other community stakeholders.

“We made this move with our runners and local resources in mind,” said Ed Whetham, Race Director. “Our participants collectively put in millions of training miles over months of preparation just to get to our start line. We have a large field of first-timers every year, with about 40-45% of our marathoners taking on the distance for the very first time. Shifting the date gives us a much better shot at ideal weather, which keeps participants safe and helps them accomplish the finish line experience they worked for."

Whetham also noted that the shift is important for the broader operational footprint of the event across the Twin Cities.

"When it gets hot and humid, a participant field of this size puts a massive strain on local medical and public safety resources," he said. "Making this shift reduces that impact on our city partners and is the right move for everyone involved in this event.”

The move also reflects Twin Cities In Motion's ongoing commitment to strengthening Marathon Weekend for future generations, in service to the community, and to advancing the experience that has made the event a signature Minnesota tradition.

“Our responsibility is to continually evaluate conditions and plan for the future so we can deliver the safest, strongest race experience possible,” said Dean Orton, President of Twin Cities In Motion. “Across medical, public safety, and community partners, the alignment around mid-October was clear. This shift helps safeguard the stability and beauty that define America’s Most Beautiful Urban Marathon.”

While safety is the driving priority, the new timing also offers an opportunity to more closely align Marathon Weekend with the Twin Cities' fall color season, which now peaks later in October than it did when the marathon was founded.

“Safety comes first, but experience matters too,” Orton said. “Cooler conditions and peak fall color are part of what makes Marathon Weekend special. Minnesota weather will always keep us humble, but mid-October offers meaningful gains in the probability of safer, more ideal conditions - a stronger foundation for the continued growth of this annual Minnesota tradition and the race experience runners, volunteers, and spectators have cherished for generations.”

This shift is a forward-looking step for Marathon Weekend, one rooted in safety, shaped by community input, and designed to protect the race experience for years to come. As the event moves into its next chapter, Twin Cities In Motion remains committed to delivering a fall tradition worthy of the miles, memories, and momentum runners bring to the start line each year.

Future Marathon Weekend Dates:

* Pending permit approval

• 2027: October 15–17

• 2028: October 13–15

• 2029: October 12–14

• 2030: October 11–13

• 2031: October 10–12

Run the Traditional First Sunday Before the Date Changes: Less Than 150 Spots Remain

Join the Twin Cities In Motion Volunteer Team

Twin Cities In Motion events rely on generous volunteers for a variety of roles, and we hope you can join us in 2026!

Volunteer registration for Marathon Weekend will open soon! It takes nearly 4,000 volunteers to ensure a safe and successful weekend, and there are a variety of ways to donate your time and energy. Volunteer leadership positions on the TCM Association are also available.

View the volunteer needs and register here on our website. There are pre- and post-race opportunities available.

If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering, please email volunteer@tcmevents.org.

Folds of Honor (MN) provides life-changing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. The call is powerful. The mission is simple: Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy. Unite Americans around all those who serve. Help Folds of Honor MN by joining their Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend team this Fall.

Interested in racing for Folds of Honor’s cause or for any of our other 65+ charity partners? Check out the Official 2026 Charity Teams!

 Your Neighborhood Taproom – Sociable Cider Werks

 After your next run, make your way to Sociable Cider Werks, your neighborhood taproom located in Northeast Minneapolis! Since 2013, Sociable has been creating hand crafted beverages, perfect for your post-run celebration. Their tap list includes cider made with real fruit juice, rotating beers on tap, THC beverages (Squoze) and fruit forward non-alcoholic sodas (Superior Soda). Bonus: You can refuel with a delicious meal onsite from their locally sourced food truck, Smashed Patty’s.

With ample free parking, a welcoming atmosphere, and an expansive outdoor patio, Sociable is a great spot to finish a run or hang out with your friends, family and even your 4-legged training partner. Their taproom is dog-friendly inside and out!

Plan your next outing at Sociable, learn more about their upcoming events, or locate a Sociable Cider Werks beverage at the finish line during Marathon Weekend.

See you soon!

Score a Free Stadium Belt

Thank You for Reading the Connection!

© 2026 Twin Cities In Motion