The tight connection between the Twin Cities Marathon and USA Track & Field over the years has led to the sport's governing body awarding the TCM the national championships for the 26.2-mile race in both 2013 and 2014.

Marathon organizer Twin Cities In Motion also was awarded the 2015 and 2016 men's and women's one-mile road championships by USA Track & Field, the organization announced Thursday, Dec. 6. The Medtronic TC 1 Mile is held on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

"We've hosted national championship events for the past eight years, because we believe in the sport at all its distances," Twin Cities In Motion executive director Virginia Brophy Achman said. "We think national champions inspire first-time marathoners and vice-versa."

The 2013 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 6.

A prize purse of $145,000 will offered as part of the U.S. marathon championships, including $25,000 for first among both men and women.