St. Paul, Minn. – May 13, 2015 – Twin Cities In Motion, organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Thursday’s Medtronic TC 1 Mile, and a host of running events in Minneapolis and St. Paul, has renewed its partnership with Twin Cities-based Team USA Minnesota, the professional long distance running training center that has developed 22 national champions and sent dozens of athletes to international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

 

A sponsor of Team USA Minnesota since its inception in 2001, Twin Cities In Motion’s $60,000 commitment over the next two years makes the nonprofit the top sponsor of the training center.

Twin Cities In Motion’s sponsorship of Team USA Minnesota helps the program provide support for its coach, Dennis Barker, who became full-time in 2014 after coaching on a part-time basis since 2001. The increased funding also assists in covering a portion of the stipends and travel expenses for the team’s roster of Olympic aspirants.

 

“We’re pleased to continue our support of Team USA Minnesota,” Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said. “We’re proud of our long relationship with the program which furthers TCM’s mission to be a leading advocate of the sport of running. Team USA Minnesota not only develops successful runners competing at the highest levels of the sport, but it also promotes role models – for kids by personifying active lives and for adults through dedication and achievements.”

 

Team USA Minnesota’s distance runners compete on the roads, the track, and in cross country at national and international events, including national championships and on USA teams at international events. The roster includes both men and women who race at distances from the 800 meters up through the marathon and currently includes three national champions.

 

“We are so honored that Twin Cities In Motion has renewed its major sponsorship of our team of talented distance runners,” said Patricia Goodwin, president and founder of Team USA Minnesota. “This two-year commitment takes us through the 2016 Olympics and builds upon the long term partnership our two organizations have had since our training group was formed in 2001. Our athletes look forward to competing in TCM’s championship races as the home town team.”

 

Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Founded in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve the competitiveness of post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. More information can be found at www.teamusaminnesota.org.