Twin Cities Marathon vs. Chicago Marathon

Long Beach is the same day as Chicago. Totally flat course.

If you're trying to run a Trials qualifier, you'll get a seeded number no? Chicago's fast as hell as long as you're somewhere up front.

Getting a Hotel somewhere within driving distance of the start is no problem and getting to and from Grant Park on race day is a piece of cake. They've got shuttles, cabs, the Elevated, etc.

Twin Cities was my first Marathon. It's also very well organized and a fun race. Rolls a bit though. It felt like after you cross the river at about 20 miles, you climb ever so slightly all the way back out for the next 6.

I never did Detroit. F New York.

TCM Is a well-organized and friendly marathon. The last six miles are tough, at least for me, but then again I've never had a legit shot at a qualifier. It seems like almost everyone loses a minute (or more) the last six miles.

Another thing to think about is that at Chicago you know you will have lots of guys (and maybe even a woman or two) to run with. Last year at Twin Cities it seemed like there were more groups in the 2:18-2:22 range for a good part of the race, but there were more elites than usual. I know some guys have complained that they get stranded in no man's land for miles and miles.

If you feel confident in your last six miles and are not so worried about having a pack to run with, there is a link below to the elite info for Twin Cities.

I have run Twin Cities four times with my best race in '94 when I ran a OT qualifier of 2:21:16. It is a well organized race that is run on a great course. The weather tends to be very good as well. Although I have never run Chicago I would think that Twin Cities might be a slightly tougher course due to the fact that a lot of the last 5+ miles are gradual climbs. My splits were 1:09/1:12. I like to call it an honest course. If you run a qualifier here you've definitely earned it. Twin Cities can be hit or miss when it comes to depth of field. I was fortunate in '94 to always have folks to run with. I think I finished 26th that year. If you think you'll have a good shot at sub 2:22 I don't think you'll go wrong with either race. Best of luck.

Based on my research, the TCM course is approximately one minute slower than the LaSalle Banks Chicago course. If you have a minute to spare, run Twin Cities.

2:20 could put you in the money this year.

If you don't like Chicago, Steamtown is the same day and is a net downhill course... It will most likely have a handful of OT qualifier hopefuls.

TCM is better for the 2:15-2:22 times. It is Chicago for sub 2:15 as the groups are at each place for those times.

26.2 in Illinois, Not!