Twin Cities Marathon course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Miles 1 and 2: downtown and Lowry Hill

Over these 2.4 miles the course climbs 109 feet and drops 32, 78 feet net up. The climb: Lowry Hill from mile 1.5 (+88 feet over 0.8 mi, 2.0%).

Twin Cities starts downtown by U.S. Bank Stadium and climbs early: Lowry Hill, about 90 feet over most of a mile, past the Sculpture Garden and up Hennepin and Douglas. It’s the biggest climb until mile 21. Let it be slow; the long downhill on Kenwood Parkway afterward gives the time back.

Miles 3 to 8: the Chain of Lakes

Over these 5.6 miles the course climbs 83 feet and drops 148, 66 feet net down.

Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet make this one of the prettiest stretches of any US marathon, flat and lined with people. The risk is how easy it feels. Settle into goal pace and stay patient; there’s a small rise between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet around mile 6 and little else.

Miles 9 to 14: Minnehaha Parkway and Lake Nokomis

Over these 5.9 miles the course climbs 114 feet and drops 122, 8 feet net down.

Minnehaha Parkway follows the creek with a string of short rollers, then comes the loop around Lake Nokomis and a climb back up to the parkway around mile 13.5. None of them is long. Run them by effort, and use the flat miles in between to drink and fuel.

Miles 15 to 20: to the river and over it

Over these 6.3 miles the course climbs 76 feet and drops 124, 47 feet net down.

From the creek the course heads east to the Mississippi and runs the river road along the gorge, flat and fast, then climbs a short, steep ramp to cross on the Franklin Avenue Bridge at mile 19. These are the miles where pace quietly drifts. Check in before the bridge: if goal pace still feels controlled, you’re on track.

Miles 21 to 23: the climb to Summit Avenue

Over these 2.8 miles the course climbs 163 feet and drops 10, 153 feet net up. The climb: Up to Summit Avenue from mile 20.8 (+139 feet over 2.2 mi, 1.2%).

The race is decided here. After the low point by the river, the course climbs about 140 feet over two miles: up from the river past St. Thomas, then the long, gradual grade of Summit Avenue to mile 23. Shorten your stride, run it by effort and expect the pace to slip. Everyone’s does.

Miles 24 to the finish: Summit Avenue to the Capitol

Over these 3.2 miles the course climbs 33 feet and drops 129, 97 feet net down.

Once you’re on top, Summit Avenue rolls past the old mansions with one small rise near mile 25, then the last half mile runs downhill to the Capitol. If you saved anything on the climb, this is where you spend it.