Nov 14, 2024
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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 21 to 31]
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D. M. from Utah
(10/20/2015)
"Nice cross-section of Detroit" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We took a bus tour of the city the day before and learned that the city is well on the rebound from the depressed decades of the '80s and '90s. There are vibrant areas of the city that are worth exploring. Taking the time to do a tour is well worth the effort. One brief warning: the hotels downtown are expensive and there are only expensive options available to and from the airport from downtown (we paid $69 each way.) It seems that if Detroit is really interested in bringing people to the city, they would fix that. Personally, I can't see going back. Still, the course is interesting and diverse, with much support and excellent aid stations. Only one gel station (mi. 16), so carry what you need with you. The run across the bridge into Canada is pretty as the sun rises and the return through the tunnel is absolutely unique. I think I would still run Traverse City for Michigan if you are a 50-stater; however, this is a very nice option. | |
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K. B. from Atlanta, Georgia
(3/12/2015)
"Flat and Interesting Course" (about: 2014)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course is lovely; running over the ambassador bridge at sunrise was the definite highlight. I also really enjoyed running through Indian Village. The spectators were great for the first half, but the second half was pretty sparse, especially before Indian Village. Not a big deal, but noticeable. I don't love running marathon/half marathons that are concurrent, but that's just preference. The expo was frustrating because number pickup was all the way at the back of a poorly designed narrow switchback of booths. I'd recommend this race and run it again. | |
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c. d. from la habra, california
(1/7/2015)
"Nice international course" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this marathon. It was very well organized. Obviously, the highlight was going over the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ontario Canada. I wish it could have gone a mile or 2 more in Canada. The park on the Canada side was very nice. Running around Belle Isle was nice as well as the Riverwalk. It was a nice urban course. They could have had more Porta johns on the course. Fluid stations were plentiful. The course was flat like the Chicago Marathon but with less runners. Temps were in the 30s at the start, but the sun came out, so it warmed up a little. If you do this marathon, make sure you visit the Henry Ford Museum. | |
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Steve Lawson from Northwest Indiana
(10/23/2014)
"Excellent Venue!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First-rate marathon! Well organized! The 2-minute waves worked well (I started in C coral). Running the first three miles prior to sunrise is a big plus! Running in Windsor, along the river, was picture perfect! Plenty of water stops along the entire course. Course is mostly flat. I ran negative splits all the way to mile 25. Plenty of spectators along the way! I will run this again! | |
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S. K. from Phoenix
(10/22/2014)
"It was great to come back to my old hometown." (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The weather was great, the course was the best urban course I ran so far. The sunrise view from the bridge was worth the trip. Spectators and course entertainment were a lot of fun. 'Running in the Big D' was heard a lot. The City of Detroit has a lot pride and put on a great race. | |
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T. K. from Cincinnati, OH
(11/26/2013)
"See Beautiful Detroit!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Detroit was my 36th marathon and my 18th state. It turned out to be one of my favorites! Detroit is a really beautiful city and the marathon makes sure that the runners realize this. From the beautiful sunrise over Canada as we crossed the Ambassador Bridge, to actually running across the border, to the riverside run in Windsor, to the tunnel back into the United States, to English Village homes, to Belle Isle...what a wonderful experience. One of the most scenic marathons I've ever run! And the finishing medal is one of the most unique I've collected. Hint: if coming from out of town, stay at the Double Tree - it is literally a half block from the Start/Finish line allowing one to stay warm and get bathroom activities done literally right before the Start Gun and allowing one to have minimal distance to hobble after the race to get to that welcome shower! Moreover, if taking the family the Henry Ford Museum was great fascinating fun and there are numerous corn mazes in the suburbs of Michigan at this time of year Great job Detroit! | |
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s. t. from Houston, Texas
(10/30/2013)
"Not enough port a potties" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I live in Houston now but grew up around Detroit so this was a true homecoming for me. I ran it with my speed racer sister and had forgotten how beautiful parts of Detroit really are. Belle Isle is evil as this is where the pain sets in, but it brought back memories of visiting the aquarium as a child. My only complaint is I had to wait 20 minutes in line to go pee after crossing the bridge then another 10 minutes at another port a potty later on in the race. | |
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G. C. from Kentucky
(10/27/2013)
"City shows a lot of pride and resiliance" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First off, Detroit is not the broken down city you see on TV. The people I met downtown were proud of their city and extremely friendly. The downtown area was clean and we felt safe walking from the hotel to the expo and out to dinner. I did the race because I thought the international component was cool. The event was much better than I expected. Crossing the Ambassador Bridge as day breaks is awesome and seeing the USA banner when you emerge from the tunnel gives you a feeling of pride. Course was flat and scenic, aid stations were plentiful, and there was plenty of police and volunteer support. Crowds were sparse in a few spots. The finishers medal was high quality. I would recommend this event and would run it again. | |
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S. J. from New England
(10/22/2013)
"Top Notch Event" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run more than a handful of marathons and a couple hundred halfs and a good thousand other events, including triathlons and century bike rides... and the Detroit Free Press beats them all! From the great signage around town, to the great start (to Eminem's LOSE YOURSELF), to great crowds, excellent route, water & Gatorade every 1.5 miles, to a terrific post-race FEAST of gluten-free goodies (carrots, bananas, hummus, chocolate milk, chips, apple slices... and MORE), I can't say enough positive things. The route was very nice considering what the city has been through, both recently and historically. I'm thankful it didn't *conveniently* avoid certain areas and aspects of the town. Detroit is still Detroit and all things and all citizens make a town what it is. The only two negatives I can think of are (1) getting to the parking lot of the expo is ROUGH and (2) spectators who can't spectate from the sidewalk, but rather take a 7-lane road filled with runners and bottleneck it to 1-lane (this was really bad just after the tunnel exit and again on Michigan Ave). HIGHLY recommended event! | |
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J. K. from Ohio
(10/21/2013)
"Average to slightly above-average" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed the Ambassador Bridge crossing, running with good Canadian support and back to the US through the tunnel with absolutely no traffic. It was an experience that not many people can say, 'I ran through the tunnel across the border.' The water/gatorade stations were plentiful and consistent. The crowd support and music was unfortunately not so great. A few bands scattered throughout the course and a couple of spots where pre-recordered music was playing, but otherwise disappointing. From a larger city such as Detroit, I expected much more in the amount of musical support. There were several cheering groups, but the crowd support was very much sporadic and pretty abysmal at times. Some people may have stayed indoors though as the temperature stayed in the 40's and the wind was strong making it feel colder if just standing. I can imagine that it would be tough to get great scenery in or around downtown Detroit, but the organizers did a good job in selecting the course route to highlight what it needed to to keep runners intrigued. I would recommend running the marathon to experience the bridge and the tunnel, but personally, probably would not do this one again. |
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