FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minnesotan Andrew Carlson To Make Debut At Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
Carlson to face competition from strong international field
St. Paul, MN (September 9, 2011) – As organizers of the 30th Medtronic Twin
Cities Marathon count down the days until their October 2 race, an
intriguing storyline emerging for the event is the possibility that for the
first time in the event's storied history a Minnesotan could win the men's
marathon title. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon men's title that has
been claimed by Kenyans, Russians, Mexicans, a Dane, and even an Iowan, but
never a home-state runner.
University of Minnesota alumnus Andrew Carlson of Chaska, a USA champion at
15K and 25K in his career and a member of Team USA Minnesota, will make his
much-anticipated marathon debut in this year's race. Carlson, a two-time
cross country All-American for the Gophers, recently finished 6th at the
USA 20K Championships while in the middle of his training for Twin Cities.
Carlson, of course, will not only face the unique challenge of negotiating
the 26.2 miles connecting the Twin Cities, but also the competition from a
strong international field that is expected to include runners from across
the country and around the world.
The battle for the women's title at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
could prove to be a duel between Russian women. Nadezhda Leonteva, a
2:31:56 marathoner who placed 7th at the Russian marathon championships in
2010, and Elena Nagovitsyna, a 32:08 10,000-meter runner who will make her
marathon debut at the race, currently headline the event.
The 2011 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon will feature a weekend of races.
Once again, the event will host the USA Masters Marathon Championships,
open to American runners over 40-years-old. Defending USA Masters
champions Mbarak Hussein and Susan Loken are slated to return.
Marathon Sunday will also include the Medtronic TC 10 Mile which will host
the USA 10 Mile Championships for men and women. The event will feature a
men-vs.-women equalizer format that will see America's top male and female
10-milers race one another for a $10,000 bonus.
On Saturday, October 1 the finish-line area around the state capitol will
host Medtronic TC Family Events including the Diana Pierce Family Mile and
the always entertaining Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot. Also slated for
Saturday are the TC 5K and TC 10K runs.
About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend The Most Beautiful Urban
Marathon in America® celebrates its 30th running in 2011. Held the first
weekend in October, the three-day weekend celebration of fitness begins on
Friday, September 30 with the Health & Fitness Expo. Saturday includes the
TC 10K, TC 5K Run/Walk, Medtronic TC Family Events and a pasta dinner.
Sunday features the weekend's premiere races, the Medtronic Twin Cities
Marathon and the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Medtronic is the title sponsor of
marathon race weekend events.
About Twin Cities In Motion Twin Cities In Motion, (formerly Twin Cities
Marathon, Inc.) is the non-profit organization that organizes over a dozen
running events throughout the year, including the Medtronic Twin Cities
Marathon, as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit
tcmevents.org for more information.
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