MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2006--The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (MTCM) today announced a youth running program to promote exercise among Minnesota children and to provide families with resources on how to exercise together. The Medtronic TC Kids Marathon will serve as the cornerstone of a shared mission between the Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and Medtronic to support and inspire healthy lifestyles, especially among children.

The program got off to a running start today with more than 200 children from the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department taking the first steps in a six-week "progressive marathon" training program where participants will run 26 miles one mile at a time. Participants will be invited to run mile 26 at one of the family events during marathon weekend, Sept. 29- Oct. 1. A similar summer running program was also launched this summer with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Department.

For families interested in exercising together, an 11-week, downloadable "Family Training Program" is now available on www.mtcmarathon.org. The program combines short-distance running and other physical activities to make running fun and achievable, while building a team between kids and their parents.

The third component of the initiative is a year-long running program that will be launched this fall and made available to metro-area elementary schools. The multi-week program is geared to elementary students and emphasizes activity, teamwork and goal setting to improve physical fitness.

"Our partnership with Medtronic is allowing us to expand and enhance programs that get kids running and families exercising together while having fun," said Virginia Brophy Achman, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon executive director. "The sooner we can instill healthy lifestyles in our kids, the better health they will have later in life. Of course, a major contributor to a healthy lifestyle is getting regular exercise."

As part of the reward of training, Brophy Achman invites children and their families to run together in the Medtronic Family Events, which include a half-mile, one-mile and 5K run/walk races. Younger children also can take part in the "Diaper Dash" and "Toddler Trot."

All of the events will take place in St. Paul on the State Capitol grounds on Saturday, Sept. 30. Registration information is available at www.mtcmarathon.org.

About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

The 25th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2006. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, health and fitness expo and Medtronic TC 10 Mile, in addition to the marathon. Visit www.twincitiesmarathon.org for more information.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com) headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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