Medtronic Global Heroes Program open to all ages

Here is an email I got from a Medtronic representative:

Hello, Jerry

Thank you for your previous comments regarding the Medtronic Global Heroes program and its guideline related to runners with diabetes.

As promised, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and Medtronic committed to review and re-evaluate this guideline following the close of the 2008 program applications. We thought you would like to know that we are removing this guideline for the 2009 program.

Of course, runner safety remains the primary concern of both Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and the Medtronic Foundation. However, our organizations agree with feedback from the Global Hero selection committee that the current application and registration process ensures runner safety without applying the age restrictions.

Future selections will rely on an applicant’s personal running and health history, along with that runner’s physician approval, as the primary determinant, not age or disease longevity.

Again, we thank you for your feedback and concern with this program and hope you will consider referring others that would enjoy the Global Heroes experience.