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whadu · Level 49: GameShark **Posts:** 37005 **Timestamp:** Sun Oct 05, 08 10:10 AM

startribune: No Minnesotan has ever won the men's title at the Twin Cities Marathon. Matt Gabrielson wasn't aware of that until he heard it Friday morning, which gave him another distinction to chase in Sunday's 27th edition.

Chris Lundstrom did know about his state's winless streak, and he took the opportunity to tease his Team USA Minnesota teammate and fellow Minneapolis resident about whether Gabrielson has the bloodlines to stake a true claim if he wins.

"He's originally from Iowa,'' Lundstrom said. "Would that count?''

Should anyone in their training group cross the finish line first, no one is planning to split hairs. Team USA Minnesota is sending five men to the race, including longtime members Lundstrom, who will run his 16th marathon, and Gabrielson, competing in his second. Macharia Yuot, a new member of the team, and first-time marathoners Josh Moen and Antonio Vega also will represent the group.

Chances are they will be chasing top seed Dan Browne, the 2002 winner and a 16-time U.S. distance champion, and Fernando Cabada, who made a splash in his 2006 marathon debut with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 27 seconds. The locals will have the advantage of in-depth course knowledge, cheering sections packed with friends and the enhanced training that comes within a group, factors that could be meaningful over 26.2 miles.

"I do love running the Twin Cities Marathon, and I love the course,'' said Lundstrom, who finished fourth in the 2006 race in a personal-best 2:17:34. "I have a lot of friends and family here, and it's nice to have the support. Coming up Summit [Avenue], every little bit helps.

"It's been incredible training with these guys. This is the first time our whole group has been able to train together. To have five or six guys putting in the work, supporting each other, has been amazing. I hope we can keep this momentum going for the next few years.''

Source: startribune
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