Race Weekend in Minneapolis: A Guide to Hotels, Logistics, and What to Know Before You Book

Minneapolis hosts one of the most consistently well-regarded marathons in the country, and the city’s running culture reflects a level of seriousness about endurance sport that its climate tends to filter in. People who run in Minnesota in January are not casual participants. By the time the Twin Cities Marathon Weekend arrives in early October, that culture is on full display, and the result is a race experience that exceeds expectations for first-time visitors.

The Race Scene

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a point-to-point course starting in Minneapolis and ending in St. Paul. The course passes four lakes, runs along both sides of the Mississippi River, and has no climbs longer than 100 feet. Approximately 13 percent of finishing times qualify for the Boston Marathon. Twin Cities In Motion runs the full weekend October 2 to 4, 2026, including family races, a 5K, 10K, 10-mile, half marathon, marathon, and the longer Loony and Ultra Loony distances. The 10-mile distance is popular as a standalone event and draws a strong field on its own. Beyond the fall marathon weekend, Minneapolis has an active spring and summer road race calendar, and the Trail Loppet and other off-road events draw athletes through the city’s extensive park and trail system year-round.

Where to Stay

The Twin Cities Marathon is point-to-point, starting at the Metrodome area in Minneapolis and finishing at the State Capitol in St. Paul. This creates a logistics question most marathons don’t have: where to stay when the start and finish are in different cities? Most athletes stay downtown Minneapolis, close to the start, and arrange transportation back from the St. Paul finish. Shuttle service is typically provided between the finish area and the Minneapolis start zone.

Downtown Minneapolis, particularly the Nicollet Mall corridor and the North Loop neighborhood, offers the best combination of proximity and hotel variety. Both are walkable to the marathon start area and within easy light rail range of the Metrodome stop. St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill or downtown St. Paul are useful if your priority is being near the finish, particularly if family is meeting you there.

Getting There and Around

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is about 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. The METRO Blue Line light rail connects the airport to downtown Minneapolis in roughly 25 minutes, with stops at the Mall of America as well. The light rail is well-used by athletes for marathon weekend and runs early on race morning.

The METRO system connects Minneapolis and St. Paul and is practical for navigating between the marathon start and finish areas. On race morning, the light rail is the most reliable way to reach the start if you’re staying downtown. Driving to the start and leaving your car there requires planning, as parking near the marathon start fills early.

What to Know Before You Book

October in Minneapolis is genuinely unpredictable. The course passes four different lakes and runs along both sides of the Mississippi River, which means wind is a real variable on race day. Temperatures at the start can range from the low 30s to the mid-50s, and the race has been run in everything from warm sunshine to near-freezing conditions. Pack for both and make your layering decision based on the race-morning forecast.

The point-to-point nature of the course means bag drop and gear check planning matters more than at a typical loop race. Confirm through the race’s logistics guide where you can leave gear and how you’ll retrieve it post-finish. The finish area in St. Paul requires a transportation plan, whether shuttle, rideshare, or a driver meeting you there.

Hotel rates in Minneapolis in early October are competitive and reasonable compared to coastal race cities. Booking 60 to 90 days out is generally sufficient, though the best downtown rooms near the start area go faster than average given the marathon’s popularity.

Find the full Minnesota race calendar for events across the Twin Cities and beyond. Road runners planning a marathon trip should also visit the marathon hotels and half marathon hotels pages.