Twin Cities Marathon 2009!
Posted by Erin (Lee) Muckerheide on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 1:06pm.The Best Way to See the Twin Cities
I often drive my out-of-town clients through the various neighborhoods of St. Paul and Minneapolis on their first home-shopping trip to the Twin Cities. I generally start in Minneapolis, and work my way east through St. Paul. I take them on a rambling drive through the center of both towns. It would take many hours to give them a true feel for the area, but I show them the basics and try to fill the rest in with my scintillating (or as scintillating as a former accountant can be) commentary. I think many relocation clients who are interested in living in the city appreciate the abbreviated tour. It gives them a real feel for the look of different neighborhoods as well as culture of both cities.
After finishing my third Twin Cities Marathon, I think I have a new plan. I think anyone who wants a real feel for Minneapolis and St. Paul, whether they are from Minnesota or are relocating, should run the Twin Cities Marathon! I really took it all in this year, and I think it might be better than my driving tour?
It always starts at the Metrodome downtown Minneapolis. The course then heads straight toward Uptown and the Kenwood area where the tree-lined streets are vibrant with all the fall colors. It then winds around to one of my favorite running locations in the Twin Cities, the Lakes (Calhoun, Harriet and Lake of the Isles). Continuing on, it heads down Minnehaha Parkway so that we don't miss Lake Nokomis. The route then points us toward the Mississippi River on the Minneapolis side, and then crosses over to the St. Paul side. This is where it really gets tough...but still gorgeous with beautiful homes and natural scenery. The route has a huge hill here, but you know that you will be rewarded with the mansions and beautiful colors on Summit Avenue if you just keep going. You struggle through the last few miles of Summit Avenue to finish in a down-hill whirlwind past the Cathedral of St. Paul to the state Capitol. It is truly an awesome run!
Throughout the course the fan support is also fantastic! This is where you get a feel for the culture. Albeit, the culture of those who actually come out to support a bunch of people who decided to run 26.2 miles, so probably not a scientific sampling. From the coffee-house-coffee toting, early-rising Minneapolis crowd, to the church-going Summit Avenue families, and everything in between. You get the feel for "Minnesota Nice" in all the cheers and support. I'm always offered a beer as I head toward St. Paul from the Minneapolis crowd throwing marathon parties in their front yard. The fans are truly a sight to behold in and of themselves!
Now, of course I'm saying this a bit 'tongue in cheek'. BUT, if you are up for a long run...Twin Cities Marathon is definitely one to check out! I guess it isn't dubbed, "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon" for no reason! I guess I occasionally take our beautiful cities for granted, but they are truly two gorgeous places to live!
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