Marathon runners get a free ride on the Green Line

Thousands of runners will participate in Sunday's Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

For the first time this year, they can trade their race bib for a free ride to and from the event on the Green Line light rail.

Volunteers can also ride the Metro Transit system for free through the three-day event, Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of Twin Cities in Motion, the race's organizer, said.

"It's our first year partnering together, and we're really excited to have that partnership because we like to try to always leave a green footprint on the Twin Cities and it's a great way to get runners back and forth in an efficient way," she said.

An expected 300,000 spectators will cheer on 30,000 runners at races that range from a full marathon to a 5k and even a diaper dash for apprentice sprinters.

Brophy Achman warns residents and participants alike to keep on top of the various road closures this weekend.