There are a number of lakes in the region, and cities in the area have some
very extensive park systems for recreation. Organized recreation includes the
Great River Energy bicycle festival, the Twin Cities Marathon, and the U.S.
pond hockey championships. Some studies have shown that area residents take
advantage of this, and are among the most physically fit in the country, though
others have disputed that. Nonetheless, medicine is a major industry in the
region and the southeasterly city of Rochester, as the University of Minnesota
has joined other colleges and hospitals in doing significant research, and
major
