MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2007--Governor Tim Pawlenty and elementary students from Minnehaha Academy will put on their running shoes today to help launch the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon. The governor and students will take some of the first steps of the new online youth running program, which was developed to promote exercise among Minnesota children by combining flexible training programs and incentives with a series of youth running events.

Governor Pawlenty also is at the school to announce a new Healthy Minnesota Fit Workplace initiative, a program designed to promote and recognize healthy workplace environments across Minnesota, and unveil a program designed to reduce childhood obesity in Minnesota by 50 percent by 2012.

Designed for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade, the running program is accessed by visiting www.mtcmarathon.org and clicking on Medtronic TC Kids Marathon. The new site provides tools and resources for teachers, coaches and parents to create 12-week, eight-week or four-week training programs.

Medtronic TC Kids Marathon emphasizes activity, teamwork and goal setting to improve physical fitness. The program combines short-distance running and other physical activities to help make fitness fun and achievable. Teachers and parents can track kids' progress online, research fun running games and access seasonal running tips for varied levels of experience.

To allow schools and families to celebrate their training success, the program includes a new youth running event to be held May 19, 2007 at Como Park in St. Paul. This event provides a spring-time complement to the Medtronic TC Family Events that occur during marathon weekend in October. Registration information for all youth running events is available on the Web site.

The program is free, can be started at any time and includes incentives to get running and stay on course, including a pedometer for every registered participant to help track progress. Teachers whose classrooms complete the 12-week program and participate in a Medtronic TC Kids Marathon youth running event are eligible for a $400 athletic equipment gift certificate for their school.

"Our partnership with Medtronic allows to us expand and enhance programs that get kids running and families exercising together while having fun," said Virginia Brophy Achman, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director. "The sooner we can instill the importance of a healthy lifestyle in our kids, the better health they will have later in life. We're excited to offer this new, interactive program to help teach children about fun and healthy activities they can do both at school and at home."

About Medtronic TC Kids Marathon

The Medtronic TC Kids Marathon has been created by Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. with significant financial and creative support from Medtronic, to promote exercise, wellness and healthy lifestyles for kids and their families through a variety of unique training programs and events.

About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

The 26th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place October 5-7, 2007. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes the Medtronic TC Family Events & TC 5K, pasta dinner, health and fitness expo and Medtronic TC 10 Mile, in addition to the marathon. Visit www.mtcmarathon.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 2007

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