Wikipedia

Med City Marathon

The Med City Marathon is an annual marathon in Rochester, Minnesota, started 1996. The race course is certified by the USATF and is one of the races in the US that can qualify a runner for the Boston Marathon.[1] Although the race was formerly a point-to-point course from the Rochester International Airport, to the Mayo Civic Center in downtown Rochester, the 25th running in 2021 saw a course change to a two-loop route around the city. Previously, Mayo Clinic and Scheels were main sponsors of the marathon. In 2021, Rochester's Active PT and Sports became the main sponsor.

Med City Marathon
2021 Med City Marathon logo
DateMay 19, 2024
LocationRochester, Minnesota
Distance26.2 miles
Primary sponsorActive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
Established1996
Course recordsMen: 2:25:54 (2005)
Pete Gilman
Women: 2:56:30 (2002)
Kathy Neises
Official sitemedcitymarathon.com
Participants350+

Course

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Prior to 2021, the marathon was a point-to-point race with one large loop. The race started near the Rochester International Airport, right off US Route 63. The course went north for eight miles through rural agricultural area before turning east at the Zumbro River, following paved trails to Soldiers Field Golf Course and Mayo Park into Rochester.

The course continued in the city, going east on roads for more than a mile, turned at Quarry Hill Nature Center, and followed the north banks of Silver Creek and Silver Lake before following Cascade Creek west past Cascade Lake. The race route went south and connected the loop, and the runners followed the Zumbro once again, this time ending at the Mayo Civic Center.

Race weekend

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The race weekend begins with the Med City Fitness Expo in the Mayo Civic Center. Outside the expo, the Altra Federal Credit Union 5K kicks off the race weekend. The Ronald McDonald family 1.8 mile walk and various kids races add to the festivities. The following day, a 20-mile race, a half marathon and a marathon relay start in the morning at the same time and place as the marathon.

History

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Heat has been a factor in this southern Minnesota marathon. In 2006, the hot air forced race organizers to close the race after three hours. The start time was moved up an hour the next year. In 2018, the marathon, marathon relay, and the 20-mile race were canceled due to hot weather again. Runners in that year were given entry in the half-marathon.[2]

The race was founded and directed for many years by local runners Wally and Peggy Arnold, though the local YMCA took management for a few years.[3][4]

In 2009, race officials faced new competition from two more marathons, St. Croix Events' Stillwater Marathon and Team Ortho's Minneapolis Marathon. Both new events were scheduled for the same week as Med City, which was already facing competition from the other large regional marathons: Fargo and Madison. Race directors for the Stillwater and Minneapolis marathons claimed their race weekends would draw more than 4,000 runners (each), so many people questioned whether Med City would survive. Consistency prevailed though, and by 2016, both the Stillwater and Minneapolis marathons folded.[5][6]

The course has changed several times through the years. In 1996, the course did a few loops in the city.[7] The course had a slight change in 1998, but then in 2007, the marathon course started runners in Byron, Minnesota. Changes were made again to shift the start from west side of Byron, where the school is, to the east side of the town.[8]

Race directors in 2013 changed the running route more to avoid crossing trains tracks late in the race. In previous years, Canadian Pacific managers would not halt trains during the marathon, despite the requests from race directors. Most races saw no problem, but in 2001, a train moving through on race day caused a five-minute delay for many runners. It happened again in 2013 as a cold rain fell on runners at the 25-mile mark. The next year, the course was shifted. Now runners cross tracks only at the beginning of the race.[9]

2019 saw a totally new course, when the start of the race was moved just north of Stewartville, Minnesota, near the Rochester International Airport.

In 2014, 413 runners finished the full marathon. One of the first-time marathon racers was 50-year-old Tim Walz, who was the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district. Walz is now Minnesota's governor. He finished in 4:46:22.[10]

An official race sponsor was added in 2015: the North Dakota-based Scheels, which had opened a large store in the Apache Mall that year.[11]

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota (caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2) had spread to Minnesota and Gov. Tim Walz ordered nearly all places of gathering and commerce closed with an executive order to stay at home. Run for the Lakes Marathon and Grandma's Marathon canceled all races, and the Boston Marathon decided to postpone their 2020 race.

By April 6, nearly 1,000 people in the state had contracted COVID-19, and the race organizers decided to postpone the race weekend to September 5–6.[12][13] By June 23, the Boston Marathon and Twin Cities Marathon (in October) had canceled all events, but Med City was still on for early September. But on July 20, race director Mark Bongers put out a press release announcing the cancelation of the marathon, writing that "after conversations with the Minnesota Department of Health, members of the Minnesota Running Industry Task Force, the USATF, Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine physicians, our sponsors and community leaders on how we could safely race, we came to the conclusion that it just isn't possible with so many ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic."[14]

In 2021, the race was postponed again, in the hopes that it would run September 12 with the blessing of the department of health and the city of Rochester. Although COVID-19 cases were rising again, the race was held, though the number of participants was much lower. When the race took place, spectators saw the closest ever finish. Levi Severson came from behind Mike Walentiny at mile 26 and took first by just 15 seconds.[15][16]

As of 2021, six people had run the marathon every year: Allen Holtz, Jeff Miller, Nels Pierson, Pete Martin, Tom Perri, and Ward Lenius.[17]

In 2023, the race was planned before Memorial Day weekend for the first time.[18]

Results

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Key:   Course record

All cities in Minnesota unless indicated otherwise

Men Women
Year Place Name Age Hometown Time Year Place Name Age Hometown Time
2021[19]   Levi Severson 41 Edina 2:41:19 2021   Madison Hirsch 27 Rochester 3:12:18
  Mike Walentiny 33 Lewiston 2:41:34   Arianna Whitney 29 Chatfield 3:20:21
  Jeremy McJunkin 41 Rochester 2:52:21   Abi Salm 23 Plymouth 3:27:22
2020[14] Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic** 2020 Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic**
2019[20]   Matt Barrett 32 Verona, Wisconsin 2:29:16 2019   Jia Xuan Huang 37 Shenandoah, Iowa 3:25:18
  Andemariam Hagos 39 Rochester 2:39:34   Caressa Barth 33 Winsted 3:27:17
  Braden Richardson 34 Byron 2:41:03   Brigid Karelitz 43 St. Paul 3:28:44
2018[21] Race canceled due to excessive heat 2018 Race canceled due to excessive heat
2017[22]   Jackson Lindquist 23 Carlton 2:34:25 2017   Jessica Rollie 32 Rochester 3:10:02
  Brock Tesdahl 25 Hopkins 2:43:06   Allison Lozano 43 Lake Elmo 3:26:50
  Chris Frisch 32 Rochester 2:48:48   Brie McSherry 34 Woodbury 3:30:02
2016[23]   Connor Branick 22 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 2:42:34 2016   Mary Chestolowski 44 Rochester 3:03:09
  Mark Evans 42 Appleton, Wisconsin 2:50:43   Jessica Rollie 31 Rochester 3:04:59
  Jim Onigkeit 48 Rochester 2:51:09   Shannon Smith 35 Andover 3:26:18
2015[24]   Jim Onigkeit 47 Rochester 2:54:29 2015   Julie Crutchfield 34 Wilmington, Illinois 2:59:22
  Khris Vickroy 39 North Liberty, Iowa 2:56:03   Mary Chestolowski 43 Rochester 3:04:21
  Dustin Harford 29 St. Paul 2:59:34   Hannah Janus 29 Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin 3:16:10
2014[25]   Mark Evans 40 Appleton, Wisconsin 2:50:53 2014   Mary Chestolowski 42 Rochester 3:10:11
  Gerad Mead 34 Minneapolis 2:56:14   Sara Veith 19 River Falls, Wisconsin 3:22:58
  Peter Somers 34 Rochester 3:00:23   Robin Forbes-Lorman 30 Madison, Wisconsin 3:26:57
2013[26]   Tim Hardy 38 North Mankato 2:41:14 2013[27]   Hilary Farver 27 Des Moines, Iowa 3:08:58
  Luke Yoder 27 Kalona, Iowa 2:53:32   Jenna Baker 24 Rochester 3:10:17
  Kevin Bence 24 Waukesha, Wisconsin 2:55:34   Megan Stelljes 28 Madison, Wisconsin 3:13:51
2012[28]   Pete Gilman 37 Rochester 2:30:21 2012   Serene Griffin 42 Roanoke, Texas 3:20:19
  Robert Mitchell 33 Rochester 2:55:18   Danielle Arant 25 Rochester 3:22:54
  Kevin Bence 24 Waukesha, Wisconsin 2:55:34   Karen Plucinski 49 Carl Junction, Missouri 3:24:28
2011[29]   Ron Giles 42 Rochester 2:44:41 2011   Deborah Hudleston 31 Minneapolis 3:01:41
  Benjamin Kopecky 21 North Liberty, Iowa 2:49:03   Kari Brown 33 Garfield 3:13:10
  Forrest Tracy 31 St. Paul 2:49:35   Jessica Brakora 29 Madison, Wisconsin 3:23:31
2010[30]   Pete Gilman 35 Rochester 2:35:31 2010[31]   Amy Vantassel 34 Colorado Springs, Colorado 3:32:48
  Gary Krugger 25 Edinboro, Pennsylvania 3:03:02   Dawn Boynton 34 Rochester 3:42:08
  Jason Sinwell 32 Rochester 3:03:23   Holly Grimsrud 25 Lakeville 3:43:44
2009[27]   Chuck Engle 38 Dublin, Ohio 2:39:14 2009[32]   Heather Himler 34 Rochester 2:57:39
  Scott Haugh 40 St. Paul 2:43:46   Katie Kramer 29 Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 3:25:04
  Ron Giles 40 Rochester 2:44:30   Teri Pruszynski 34 Rochester 3:33:32
2008[33]   Mark Ott 35 Jackson, Michigan 2:54:33 2008[34]   Kara Arzamendia 30 St. Paul 3:12:19
  Ron Giles 39 Rochester 2:58:46   Erika Sperl-Imhoff 18 Rochester 3:20:53
  Steven Weigand Rochester 2:58:58   Jen Block 38 Rochester 3:27:30
2007[35]   Nick Payne 37 Rochester 2:41:15 2007[36]   Tammy Berg-Beniak 39 Mazeppa 3:14:10
  Brett Evans 36 St. Paul 2:47:45   Jennifer Halverson 31 West St. Paul 3:22:04
  Steve Hanke 26 Rochester 2:51:40   Kris Anderson 31 Mankato 3:24:15
2006*[37]   Brett Evans 35 St. Paul 2:56:43 2006*   Kathy Waldron 47 Green Bay, Wisconsin 3:30:44
  Cameron Berg 23 Palo Alto, California 2:57:15   Marilee Hardyman 41 Rochester 3:36:42
  Jeff Miller 35 Minneapolis 3:22:19   Gretchen Sadaka 35 Rochester 3:36:49
2005[38]   Pete Gilman 30 Rochester 2:25:54 2005[39]   Ann Marie Thiessen 34 Tacoma, Washington 3:04:46
  Aaron Nodolf 26 West Allis, Wisconsin 2:44:16   Deb Thomford 47 Zumbrota 3:24:49
  Nick Payne 35 Rochester 2:45:39   Kristi Walsh 25 Rochester 3:35:37
2004[40]   Patrick Russell 28 Duluth 2:36:58 2004   Deb Thomford 46 Zumbrota 3:26:40
  John Reich 35 Rochester 2:43:27   Gretchen Sadaka 33 Mankato 3:34:46
  Derek Dippon 31 Cedar 2:45:33   Kim Kolbeck 24 Rochester 3:35:46
2003[41]   Brett Evans 32 West St. Paul 2:43:06 2003[42]   Benita Glassford 32 Lake Mills, Iowa 3:13:59
  Andy Prevost 25 Cloquet 2:44:23   Patty Langum 42 Brooklyn Park 3:14:19
  Gregory Lindusky 44 Cottage Grove 2:55:27   Teri Pruszynski 28 Rochester 3:33:18
2002[43]   Pete Gilman 27 Byron 2:30:06 2002[44]   Kathy Neises 31 Madison, South Dakota 2:56:31
  Daniel Deuhs 31 St. Paul 2:38:33   Kathy Waldron 43 Green Bay, Wisconsin 3:01:45
  David Audet 37 Concord, New Hampshire 2:51:45   Joyce Bourassa 34 Lakeville 3:04:59
2001[45]   Jerry Wille 44 Rochester 2:46:28 2001   Kathy Waldron 42 Green Bay, Wisconsin 2:57:15
  Andy Prevost 23 Cloquet 2:46:42   Deb Thomford 43 Zumbrota 3:17:04
  Jeffery Miller 36 Albert Lea 2:51:55   Karla Behringer 43 Rochester 3:17:10
2000[46]   Bill Field 38 Faribault 2:33:07 2000[47]   Kathy Waldron 41 Green Bay, Wisconsin 3:02:13
  Jerry Wille 43 Rochester 2:40:08   Heather Gilbertson 28 Eagan 3:11:32
  Jeffery Miller 35 Albert Lea 2:42:04   Jean Herbert 43 Albuquerque, New Mexico 3:14:32
1999[47]   Terry Tupy 29 Rochester 2:51:09 1999[48]   Kathy Waldron 40 Green Bay, Wisconsin 2:59:28
  Bill Suffrins 35 Rochester 2:53:34   Karen Asphaug 43 Hastings 3:13:55
  Jeff Allen 32 Rochester 2:56:38   Deb Thomford 41 Zumbrota 3:29:18
1998[49]   Jerry Wille 41 Rochester 2:47:50 1998   Kathy Mathieson 39 Green Bay, Wisconsin 3:03:28
  Darren Ruschy 34 Minneapolis 2:48:18   Jean Herbert 42 Albuquerque, New Mexico 3:14:16
  Roy O'Sullivan 30 Kalona, Iowa 2:50:27   Kathleen Eikens 35 Minneapolis 3:14:33
1997[50]   Dan Frusher 27 Rochester 2:29:40 1997[51]   Benita Amundson 26 Rochester 3:07:44
  Jeffrey Miller 32 Albert Lea 2:43:46   Shelly Davis 37 Wadena 3:15:27
  James Hannon 38 Rochester 2:47:35   Cynthia Wilkowske 31 Minneapolis 3:17:55
1996[52]   Todd Sperling 36 Goodhue 2:35:16 1996[53]   Paulette Dow 30 St. Paul 3:06:42
  Terry Gendron 36 Moline, Illinois 2:36:25   Benita Amundson 25 Marinette, Wisconsin 3:09:56
  Brad Kautz 38 Rochester 2:42:29   Kathleen Crozier 19 Minneapolis 3:13:51

* Due to hot weather, race official called runners off the course. The race was officially canceled after 3 hours, though results were listed through 4 hours and 30 minutes.

** A "virtual" race was scheduled.

References

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  1. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions | FAQ".
  2. ^ Christian, Paul (May 27, 2018). "Med City Marathon shortened due to heat". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  3. ^ Ruff, Pat (June 5, 2017). "Wally Arnold, Med City Marathon director". Rochester, Minnesota: Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Gunvalson, Krysta (March 2, 2018). "What Makes The Med City Marathon Great?". Minneapolis, Minnesota: Minneapolis Running. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  5. ^ Divine, Mary (March 1, 2009). ""Region's marathons might face a race for survival: Host of May events raises question of viability"". Pioneer Press.
  6. ^ Shah, Allie; Smith, Mary Lynn (December 17, 2008). ""Two new marathons are in the works for metro: One week in May next year, there are 26.2-mile runs planned for Minneapolis and Stillwater"". Star Tribune.
  7. ^ Arnold, W. (1996). "Med-City Marathon Course Map" (PDF). Certified Road Races. Indianapolis, Indiana: USATF. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  8. ^ Arnold, W. (2007). "Med City Marathon 2007 Course Description" (PDF). Certified Road Races. Indianapolis, Indiana: USATF. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  9. ^ Christian, Paul (May 23, 2014). ""Directors re-route Med City Marathon to avoid trains"". Rochester Post Bulletin.
  10. ^ Limbeck, Guy N. (May 28, 2007). ""Hills a new challenge at Med-City Marathon"". Rochester Post Bulletin.
  11. ^ ""Much-awaited Scheels opens today"". Rochester Post Bulletin. April 11, 2015.
  12. ^ Jahns, Isaac (6 April 2020). "Med City Marathon moved to September". MedCity Beat. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ Bongers, Mark (6 April 2020). "2020 Final Stretch Events – Med City Marathon presented by Active PT" (PDF). Medcitymarathon.com. Rochester, Minnesota. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  14. ^ a b Bongers, Mark (July 20, 2020). "25th Anniversary Med City Marathon presented by Active PT" (PDF). medcitymarathon.com. Nerstrand, Minnesota: Final Stretch. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Christian, Paul (September 10, 2021). ""Fantastic finish at Med-City Marathon"". Rochester Post Bulletin.
  16. ^ Link, Andrew (September 10, 2021). ""Morning Headlines"". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Christian, Paul (September 10, 2021). ""Med-City Marathon returns Sunday for its silver anniversary"". Rochester Post Bulletin.
  18. ^ Christian, Paul (April 25, 2023). "Med City Marathon setting a new course, shifting to new dates this spring". Rochester Post Bulletin.
  19. ^ Pickle, Brad; Haukos, Chris, eds. (September 12, 2021). "2021 SCHEELS Med City Marathon Results". Pickle Events. St. Paul, Minnesota: MTEC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Pickle, Brad; Haukos, Chris, eds. (May 26, 2019). "2019 Med City Marathon Results". Pickle Events. St. Paul, Minnesota: MTEC. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  21. ^ Murphy, Esme (May 27, 2018). "Steamy Weather Shortens Med City Marathon in Rochester". minnesota.cbslocal.com. Minneapolis, Minnesota: WCCO-TV. CBS. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  22. ^ "2017 Med City Marathon Results". MTEC Results. St. Paul, Minnesota: MTEC. May 28, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "2016 Med City Marathon Results". MTEC Results. St. Paul, Minnesota: MTEC. May 29, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  24. ^ "2015 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 23, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  25. ^ "2014 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 25, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  26. ^ "2013 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 26, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  27. ^ a b Christian, Paul (May 26, 2014). "Call her a Med City Champion". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin.
  28. ^ "2012 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 27, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  29. ^ "2011 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 29, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  30. ^ "2010 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 30, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  31. ^ Christian, Paul (May 31, 2010). "Women's Med-City winner surprises herself". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin.
  32. ^ "2009 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 24, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  33. ^ "2008 Med City Marathon Results" (PDF). Rochester, Minnesota: Rochester Track Club. May 23, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  34. ^ Christian, Paul (May 26, 2008). "Personal Best Brings Glory". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin.
  35. ^ "Nick Payne first across Med-City finish line". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin. May 28, 2007.
  36. ^ "Women's Med-City winner drew inspiration from family". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin. May 28, 2007.
  37. ^ "Med City Marathon 2006: Marathon Results". athlinks.com. Chanhassen, Minnesota: Lifetime Fitness. May 28, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  38. ^ "2005 Med City Marathon Results". onlineraceresults.com. Bettendorf, Iowa: The End Result Company. May 29, 2005. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  39. ^ "Med-City Marathon: Run - Marathon Results". Athlinks. Chanhassen, Minnesota: Lifetime. May 29, 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  40. ^ "Med City Marathon Finish Times". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin. May 31, 2004.
  41. ^ "Local Names and News". Duluth, Minnesota: Duluth News Tribune. June 29, 2003. p. 03D.
  42. ^ "2003 Results - Med-City Marathon - AllSportCentral - Registration, Results, Relax". All Sport Central. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  43. ^ "McGregor Cashes in En Route To (Hopefully) '04 Games". St. Paul, Minnesota: Pioneer Press. June 2, 2002.
  44. ^ "Med-City Marathon 2002: RUN/MARATHON Results". Athlinks. Chanhassen, Minnesota: Lifetime. May 26, 2002. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  45. ^ "Med-City Marathon 2001: Marathon Results". athlinks.com. Chanhassen, Minnesota: Lifetime. May 27, 2001. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  46. ^ "2000 Results!". medcitymarathon.com. Rochester, Minnesota. May 28, 2000. Archived from the original on 1999-11-26. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  47. ^ a b Brothers, Bruce (June 4, 2000). "Tollefson Headlines Minnesota Distance Classic Track Meet". St. Paul, Minnesota: Pioneer Press. p. 8D.
  48. ^ "Med-City Marathon: Run 26.2Mi Results". athlinks.com. Chanhassen, Minnesota: Lifetime. May 30, 1999. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  49. ^ "Med City Marathon and Relays" (PDF). rochestertrackclub.com. Rochester, Minnesota: Rochester Track Club. May 24, 1998. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  50. ^ "MCM Results 1997" (PDF). cms.cws.net. Med City Marathon. May 25, 1997. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  51. ^ "Med City Marathon Results -- Male". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin. May 26, 1997.
  52. ^ "Answer Man: Med-City Marathon goes way back -- to 1996". Rochester, Minnesota: Post-Bulletin. May 26, 2009.
  53. ^ "MCM Results 1996" (PDF). cms.cws.net. Med City Marathon. May 26, 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
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