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Detroit International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Detroit International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 406 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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A. B. from Boulder, CO
(10/30/2007)
"A Marathon Worth Running." (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 So this is my first time running the full marathon in Detroit, last year I did the half. I love the course-it shows so many wonderful aspects of Detroit. Running over the bridge as the sun is rising is pretty amazing. Running back through the tunnel was a little warm, but for the folk that were complaining-the temperatures were unseasonably warm-and I saw way too many people overdressed. Coming out of the tunnel and running through the spectators was very uplifting and cooling. Belle Isle was very pretty and the freighter going up river was a moment to remember. I loved running through the marching band that took up both sides of the street, near the end of the course. Keep that band near the end of the course, and consider adding more marching bands next year. The spectators seemed to be patchy on the course, but the support overall was rather good. The water stops were well run and were more frequent near the end of the race, which was nice. There was gu on the course, along with candy, gum, and oranges. I give the race director kudos on responding on runners comments last year and fixing the amount of food at the finish. The bag offered an acceptable assortment of food; including-chips, fruit and a bagel. But come on Whole Foods, I know you can do better. I liked the outdoor finish, but a minor complaint I have about it is that we were running into the sun and it was hard to see the spectators-but I could still hear them. My two requests for next year would be 1) to give out bottles of water/Gatorade and not just glasses, and 2) to have a map of the finish area. Overall Detroit is a well run Marathon and I would encourage anyone to run it. I saw my family on the course 5 times, and if I do it again they have figured out how to cheer me on at more places. | |
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Leigh Rumball from Windsor, Ontario
(10/27/2007)
"What a GREAT experience!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first race and I chose to do the half marathon this year. I am from Windsor, Ontario, the bordering city for Detroit. I have crossed over the Ambassador Bridge and through the tunnel countless times in my life but nothing was as breathtaking as reaching the crest of the Ambassador Bridge just as the sun was rising. It was life altering and I will run this race as long as my body will let me. The course was well marked with marshals at each turn and one at the marathon/half marathon split. The weather was unseasonably warm this year (60 degrees at the start, 80 later on), so one can usually expect it to be in the 40's. The downloadable race packet was a great help and that's how I was able to find out about the family area near the finish. The fans were wonderful and I will never forget the fellow runner who had already finished and had walked back down the course to cheer the rest of us on. The Spirit Stations were amazing too! | |
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R. R. from South Lyon
(10/27/2007)
"Great course but improve the finish area" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course is still one of my favorites. Lots of diversity and it shows off two cities. After finishing in Ford Field, this year's finish looked like organizers were trying to save money. My family had trouble trying to see me from the sidelines (there were two little sets of bleachers) and the area was crowded. The flow to the reunion area needs to be worked on. At the start it was also difficult getting from the baggage drop off to my corral. Too many spectators in the area causing congestion. Food was an improvement over last year but doesn't compare to some of the other marathons I've run. There was no water after the food tent to wash down the day old bagel. I thought Whole Foods was about freshness. Good bands and entertainment for the Motor City. How about a Mexican band in Mexican Town? Missed the fire boat spray under the bridge. Windsor needs to work on its crowd support. Baggage area was better and the kids were enthusiastic. But if the weather had been bad we may have had some wet clothes to change into. Loved New Balance's marathon merchandise line of clothes. Other marathons might want to go this route. | |
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D. R. from Dearborn MI
(10/26/2007)
"Detroit is Amazing" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran my first marathon in Detroit on 10/21/07 and it was amazing. I am hooked and what better place to start my racing career than in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The number of runners (16,100+) was a record breaker. As I ran the incline onto the Ambassador Bridge and felt the warm glow of the rising sun on my left cheek, I teared up. It was a truly spiritual experience. The weather was beautiful and sunny with gusty winds at times but it could have been 20 degrees and snowing, so I was grateful. The drink stations were plentiful but some of the drink handlers were holding 2 or three cups of water/Gatorade in each hand at a time, so their fingers were in the cups (yuck). I would like to see a lot less of that next year. I really enjoyed running through Mexican Village. You could smell the fresh tortillas being made in the different restaurants and bakeries. Some of the storekeepers and residents waved and cheered as we ran by. The music was GREAT!!! Overall, the fan/spectator support was great on both sides of the border. Detroit is really beautiful when viewed from the Canadian side of the border. I cant wait until next year! | |
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F. O. from Northville, MI
(10/25/2007)
"Awesome marathon" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course is pretty much flat with exception of Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor Tunnel. I liked the fact that the bridge and tunnel were in the first half of the marathon where I still had plenty of energy. The tunnel got a little stuffy and hot towards the end, but luckily the outside temperature was very pleasant, so there was not a huge thermal shock coming out of the tunnel. Still don't understand why some people were running with long sleeve when temperature was in the upper 50's at the start. Wished it had some more wider streets, it took a while for it to open up, I started at corral E. Things that could be improved for next year: 1. at the finish line, it was very congested. I came in around 4:08 and there was a long line to get to the goodie bag, also there was no way out but to go to through the congested tent were the goodie bags were given out. Not sure about when finish was at Ford field if people ran into this issue or not. 2. Gu was served only at 1 spot Overall great experience. Would definetly run again. | |
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D. M. from Canton, MI
(10/25/2007)
"Great Race, highly recommend" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really like the race. I agree the wind was a bit much at times but who can control that. I prefer the Ford Field Finish from 2006 but they did a nice job out side. Nice shirt, nice medal, and a special place in my heart for the guy at mile 25 that handed me a beer, thanks man I really needed that! | |
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P. K. from Washington, D.C.
(10/25/2007)
"Great race!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This race was brilliant. After training in Washington DC during the summer, the tunnel was a welcome reprieve from the cool, fresh, Michigan air. Water stations were abundant, well stocked and organized. The course was magnificent!! The smell of tortillas in Mexican Village. Having the sun rising over Canada while crossing the Ambassador Bridge is something I'll never forget. The crowd coming off the MacArthur Bridge and then into the tree-lined streets of Indian Village. Only negatives to mention were the relay participants on the course and the walkers behind the finish line. Relay participants in general lacked any etiquette and then I got hip-checked by some walkers getting into line for a post-race snack. It may be logistically impossible to separate those groups from the marathon and half-marathoners... but it would be nice if they could. Relay and walkers were minimal at most though, in the big picture. I've already made plans to come back for next year. | |
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David Tucker from Michigan, USA
(10/24/2007)
"Great organization and enjoyable race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Patricia Ball and her team continue to work magic, making this one of the best experiences in the country. This is my second run in Detroit, out of 13 total. The pre-race organization is great; the expo is large enough without being huge; the course is flat, fast, interesting and entertaining you actually see the city you're running in. | |
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D. S. from Florence, Ky
(10/23/2007)
"Unique race experience" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second full marathon (I've run several halfs.) Overall this was a great experience. I know several complained about the bridge and the tunnel. I'll admit the tunnel was hot but, the idea of running the 'underwater mile' and the Ambassador Bridge is what sold me on my decision to run the Detroit Marathon. My only 2 complaints about the race were #1 The packet pick-up area could have been spread out a little more. #2 The start could have been staggered better. Perhaps start the half marathoners after the full marathon. It was just to crowded making that first turn with all the runners and walkers merging together. Overall an awesome race that I would recommend to all runners. | |
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B. L. from Troy
(10/23/2007)
"better than last year" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 2nd time running Detroit and found it much better organized than last year (2006). More food at finish, bigger crowds, FREE massages. If you are complaining about a "sauna" in the tunnel, next time look at the website before registration. An "underwater mile." What were you expecting? You're going to be stuck in a tunnel for a mile; packed with runners after 10 miles on a day when it eventually reached 80 degrees might lead to "sauna" conditions. I am a homer, and feel personally invested in my hometown race, but please, people, I've been in much more chaotic start/finish line situations and had a great experience far from my home. Detroit, you did a great job this year! HAZZA! |
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