Twin Cities Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
A point-to-point from downtown Minneapolis to the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, weaving past the Chain of Lakes and both banks of the Mississippi. Mostly rolling, but a long uphill grind on Summit Avenue at miles 21–23 punishes anyone who went out too hard. Often called the most beautiful urban marathon in America, with peak fall color in early October.
The Twin Cities Marathon is moderately rolling — rated 3/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 680 ft (210 m) and loses 690 ft (210 m), with roughly level start to finish. Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 2 (near mile 1), demanding about 16% more effort than the same distance on flat ground. The steepest pitch on course reaches 14.9%.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Minneapolis, MN, USA |
| Total ascent | 680 ft (210 m) |
| Total descent | 690 ft (210 m) |
| Net elevation | -7 ft (-2 m) |
| Steepest grade | 14.9% |
| Difficulty | 3/5 |
| Field size | ≈11,000 runners |
| Race day | First Sunday of October |
Mile-by-mile splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill miles get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Mile | GAP pace /mi | GAP pace /km | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:09 | 5:41 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 9:09 |
| 2 | 9:49 | 6:06 | +66 ft (+20 m) | 18:57 |
| 3 | 8:37 | 5:21 | -58 ft (-18 m) | 27:34 |
| 4 | 9:08 | 5:40 | +1 ft (0 m) | 36:42 |
| 5 | 9:07 | 5:40 | 0 ft (0 m) | 45:48 |
| 6 | 9:06 | 5:39 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 54:54 |
| 7 | 9:05 | 5:39 | -3 ft (-1 m) | 1:03:59 |
| 8 | 9:10 | 5:42 | +5 ft (+1 m) | 1:13:09 |
| 9 | 9:04 | 5:38 | -13 ft (-4 m) | 1:22:13 |
| 10 | 8:57 | 5:33 | -20 ft (-6 m) | 1:31:10 |
| 11 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 1:40:22 |
| 12 | 9:01 | 5:36 | -12 ft (-4 m) | 1:49:23 |
| 13 | 9:07 | 5:40 | +1 ft (0 m) | 1:58:30 |
| 14 | 9:22 | 5:49 | +25 ft (+8 m) | 2:07:52 |
| 15 | 8:52 | 5:30 | -29 ft (-9 m) | 2:16:44 |
| 16 | 9:05 | 5:38 | -5 ft (-2 m) | 2:25:48 |
| 17 | 8:59 | 5:35 | -15 ft (-4 m) | 2:34:47 |
| 18 | 9:21 | 5:48 | +24 ft (+7 m) | 2:44:08 |
| 19 | 8:29 | 5:16 | -97 ft (-29 m) | 2:52:37 |
| 20 | 9:57 | 6:11 | +68 ft (+21 m) | 3:02:34 |
| 21 | 9:24 | 5:51 | +28 ft (+8 m) | 3:11:58 |
| 22 | 9:51 | 6:07 | +74 ft (+23 m) | 3:21:49 |
| 23 | 9:36 | 5:58 | +49 ft (+15 m) | 3:31:25 |
| 24 | 8:52 | 5:31 | -28 ft (-8 m) | 3:40:17 |
| 25 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 3:49:30 |
| 26 | 8:29 | 5:16 | -74 ft (-23 m) | 3:57:59 |
| 26.2 | 9:15 | 5:45 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Twin Cities Marathon flat or hilly?
The Twin Cities Marathon is moderately rolling (3/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 680 ft (210 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the Twin Cities Marathon have?
About 680 ft (210 m) of total ascent and 690 ft (210 m) of descent, for a net change of -7 ft (-2 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the Twin Cities Marathon course?
Kilometre 2 (near mile 1) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 16% more effort than flat running. The steepest grade on course is 14.9%.
When is the Twin Cities Marathon?
The Twin Cities Marathon is typically held on the first Sunday of October. The next edition is expected around October 4, 2026. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the Twin Cities Marathon?
The field is roughly 11,000 runners.
What pace do I need to run the Twin Cities Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Minneapolis race
Marathons with a similar profile
- Philadelphia Marathon — 740 ft (230 m) ascent
- Berlin Marathon — 750 ft (230 m) ascent
- New York City Marathon — 770 ft (230 m) ascent
- Boston Marathon — 770 ft (240 m) ascent
Official race site: https://www.tcmevents.org