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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 291 to 301]
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A. H. from Columbus, OH
(10/23/2005)
"A decent race, but room for improvement" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Detroit Free Press Marathon was my third in a streak of three marathons in three weeks, so my memory was fresh with ideas of how these events should be run. (See Steamtown, PA for outstanding race organization.) But first, the positives: the course intrigued me with its international route. I loved the idea of crossing over to Canada, and getting a split time for your 'underwater mile' (through the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel). There were lots of well-manned water stops, and the 'spirit stations' on the route were greatly appreciated. I also thought the idea of special bibs for first-timers was great, and the medals are honkin' huge, if you're into that sort of thing. The course overall is pretty flat, although there are some nasty turns and a few noticeable elevation changes (over bridges, etc). 'Room for Improvement': registration information states that they will contact you if there is any problem with immigration; this was not the case with a non-American friend and he nearly could not run as he 'only' had one passport on him. The website was severely lacking in other information, particularly regarding gear check and parking on race morning. We were completely unprepared for the traffic jam leading to the race and ended up missing the anthems and sprinting to the starting area, only to find there were only porta-potties on one side of the area - opposite to where we were. We then had to cross the staging area and jump a barrier to get to them. The GU station at 21 was not followed by a water station for close to a mile. The finish into Ford Field was perilously steep, and just seems to be an accident waiting to happen. Finally, there was only water available for runners on the field upon finishing. You had to exit the stadium before being able to pick up a banana or some trail mix (the poorest selection of post-marathon food I've ever seen...), which was incredibly inconvenient for anyone waiting for fellow runners (I was standing around hungry for close to an hour before my friend finished). When we finally left the building, there was no organized family meeting area, just throngs of people. There were many aspects of this race that were well-done, but I would expect a tighter ship after 28 years. Hopefully there will be some improvements in future years. Detroit seems to have the spirit to want to organize a great event, but there are some details that need to be worked out. | |
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Gary Chatham from Chatham, IL
(9/5/2005)
"Outstanding Event!!!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I traveled to Detroit with the goal of qualifying for Boston. The course was suppose to be flat and I was intrigued with the idea of running into Canada then returning to the city through an underground tunnel. The view from Ambassador bridge was spectacular and unlike anything I've experienced. The course was very flat with the bridge and tunnel being the major hills. The spectators were located at a few strategic points so the course seemed lonely at times. Many of the complaints from the prior year had been addressed. The only real problem I encountered was the mile markers not being positioned early in the race where I could see them. Overall - this is a great event and finishing on 50 yard line of Ford Field and seeing myself on the Jumbtron was a great ending. One word of caution is to be careful before entering Ford Field as you will descend several hundred feet and it's very hard on the legs. Finally - I went to Detroit to accomplish a goal and was not disappointed. I've run 16 marathons and this ranks high on my list as one of the top ten in the country! | |
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B. P. from Philadelphia, PA
(2/22/2005)
"One of the Best I've Run" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run 14 marathons and the Detroit Marathon ranks at the very top. The course, which crossed into Canada, was flat and scenic. The organization was first-rate and the food and drink afterwards was plentiful and varied. The best part of the marathon was the weather. You couldn't ask for more perfect conditions - no wind, 50 degrees, and a slight overcast. The only other marathon I've done that compares is the Marine Corps. The finish on Ford Field was an excellent touch. I would highly recommend this as your fall marathon. | |
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B. P. from Grand Rapids, MI
(1/24/2005)
"Fun half-marathon - enjoyed running into Canada" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I completed the half-marathon, so I can't comment on the second half, but I really enjoyed the first half, especially running over the Ambassador Bridge and back through the tunnel. Another fun perk was seeing your face on the big screen as you crossed the finish line at the football stadium. Some problems: the race course turned too much at the beginning and we ran through Cork Town twice. Also, parking for the expo was kind of a pain with construction. All in all - fun run for me! | |
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Johnny Wyskiel from Kalamazoo, MI
(1/12/2005)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and won't be my last. I plan on running other ones and will definitely run this one again. ---PROS--- The course was great, we ran over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and back through the Windsor Tunnel. Traffic was shut down to two lanes (from four) on the bridge and the tunnel was closed. The fans were great and there were plenty of aid stations. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick were at the end of the Windsor Tunnel to welcome runners back to the U.S. ---CONS--- The only problem with the course was that there were too many turns at the start. A straight stretch for a mile would allow runners to separate. Detroit and Michigan seem to be in a state of constant road construction. Getting to and from Cobo Arena for packet pick-up was difficult and took me an hour longer than expected. On the day of the marathon I left an hour early and parked about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile away. Overall it was a great marathon. | |
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D. H. from Nova Scotia, Canada
(12/29/2004)
"excellent choice, fast, unique, great organization" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Detroit is one well organized race including the expo, race pick-up and start. There were a reasonable amount of toilets at the start and enough space to get seeded properly. Temps were prime, about 45 at start and mid to high 50's at finish. The course itself is flat and fast (a PB for both me and my traveling partner), with the only hills being the Ambassador Bridge and the underground tunnel returning back to Detroit from Windsor both coming early in the race. It was great having a course with an easier second half. The route however is somewhat narrow and windy and congested in the first few miles, making even pacing a bit difficult (getting past slower runners who lined up improperly). Overall the route took us through nicer and more scenic areas of Windsor and mostly Detroit. Particularly noteworthy was the beautiful view of the Detroit skyline from the Windsor Park waterfront in the miles 6-8. Fan support was average for this size marathon. Aid - water, Gatorade along the route was very good but slightly less frequent than advertised. The finish was exceptional - running onto Ford Field in a bright, warm, dry stadium where one could commiserate with friends, fellow runners. The ramp entering the stadium was somewhat steep, but nothing too difficult, especially if you know it is coming. There is a climb to get off the field for post-race food and massage, but both are well worth it. This is one race you should definitely plan to run. | |
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Bill G. from OKC, OK
(11/28/2004)
"Awesome Marathon!! A Must-Do!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2004 course was fantastic! The weather was perfect ? low 40s, partly cloudy. The start was well organized, the pacers were easy to find, and plenty of porta-johns. Going across Ambassador Bridge into to Canada was beautiful. There was a golden sunrise as we approached the bridge, and a fireboat was out on the river. The boat looked like a floating fountain... an incredible view. The tunnel back into America was cool - everyone was screaming. The border patrol workers on both sides cheered us on. Crowd support was fantastic ? even on Belle Isle. The course layout took us through an incredible city, and allowed us to see some of the best sections of Detroit. Another benefit was at the halfway point, you pass the start area ? you guessed it... the porta-johns were there and no lines!! :) When approaching the finish (which was a little crowded) watch out as you enter the access tunnel to Lion Field. It is steeper and longer than you would think. However, hearing your name called out over the PA and finishing on the field was well worth all the hard work. The race organizers must have listened (read) all the comments! THEY GOT IT RIGHT! Great course, water/aid stations, crowd support, and scenic city... but most of... a big thank you to the VOLUNTEERS who made it all possible! Thanks to everyone involved in making this an incredible experience!! This is a must-do marathon!! | |
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D. G. from Michigan
(11/17/2004)
"Bridge and Tunnel make this Unique!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'm from Detroit and I have run this race in the past, but this year they finally got the course right. Going over the bridge into Canada and coming through the tunnel are great moments. For Midwest marathoners I think Detroit is now a must-run. | |
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L. J. from New Orleans
(11/8/2004)
"A wonderful international run" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Detroit Marathon has really grown to a great international race. They close down both the bridge to Canada and the tunnel back to the USA! Many cities can't even get a few streets closed. Everything was well-organized. We had an awesome pace leader. All the people were really great. I'd run this race again. The course is fast. | |
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J. K. from Orlando, FL
(11/3/2004)
"Exciting course, ideal size, & great organization" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Detroit Free Press International Marathon represented my fourth attempt at marathoning. The marathon was medium-sized versus Disney or Marine Corp and the expo was small, organized, and manageable. Water/Gatorade stops were more than plentiful and seemed to be every half mile or so after the race got going. Gu was passed out at mile 15 and late in the race. Weather at the start was ideal; 58 degrees at the start and overcast. The sun popped through the clouds on a few occasions, but did not stay. If it hit 60, I would have been amazed. All in all, perfect marathoning weather, not like the last two Disney Marathons where I could never warm up. Shorts and a long-sleeve Coolmax shirt proved a little cold on a few of the open sections, but comfortable the remainder. The 7:30 start was just outside the new Comerica Stadium. The starting area was very well organized, as opposed to some of the previous comments I had read on the web. I guess those folks were expecting ample port-a-potties being available. Just come prepared. Finding the right starting position was easy and well marked by expected pace time. Eight minutes passed from gun time to crossing the line. Only a few slow pokes could not follow the instructions minimizing the need to bob and weave through the crowded field. The marathoners started with the half marathoners and the 5 person relay marathoners. In general, the course was flat with the exception of the two water crossings. We started by meandering though downtown and through Cork Town (gentrified area near Tiger Stadium) on the way to Mexican Village where we were greeted by fiddlers and a serenading Mexican band. Then, at mile 3, it was up and over the Ambassador Bridge. The bridge was tough, but very scenic. Fireboats sent up jets of water greeting the runners. We were then welcomed to Canada by customs/border patrol. With nothing to declare, we were waived through. While in Canada (the only spot where Canada is south of the USA), we ran through a park along the river to downtown Windsor, Ontario. We had a terrific view of the Detroit from Canada, which was impressive and picture perfect. There was good crowd support during this stretch. Bagpipers, freighters in the river, and seagulls flying overhead kept us entertained. Numerous permanent bathrooms in the park handled the polite runners; others made do (ugly Americans). At mile 8, it was time to head back stateside through the tunnel and the only ?underwater mile? in marathoning. Just a note, radio and GPS signals don?t work in a tunnel. What a kick due to the hooting and hollering, and echoes. The downhill acceleration was rush, but the uphill out was just like the bridge; tough. But, at 9 miles, the legs are still reasonably fresh. Out the tunnel crossing back to the USA, again there was nothing to declare. Hundreds of supporters meandered over from the start to support their runners coming back to the states. Then, back though downtown along the riverfront with a ?punk? band playing on the US side, by the ?Joe? (Hockeytown USA), a warehouse district, Cork Town again, and back to the stadium to drop off the half marathoners. There was quite a bit of crowd support left over from the start at the halfway point. From then on, the runners and crowds were a little thinner. Back through downtown and east though another warehouse district which now contained many bars, lofts, entertainment venues, and the like. At mile 17, we turned onto Belle Isle, a park in the middle of the river, and were again greeted by another fireboat saluting. The island was windy and cold and seemed to be the longest 3-mile stretch. Not much crowd support here, but it was scenic. The only real issue at this point: the relay guys would buzz by you with fresh legs, and I wasn?t feeling quite as strong. Back over the bridge and off the island, and onto Indian Village, an enclave of well kept turn of the century mansions and tree lined streets. Anticipation was building for beer and the post-marathon celebration. Every block, there were signs: ?beer is near? followed by ?we?re in it for the beer? followed by ?it?s all about the beer,? etc. To my surprise, it wasn?t advertising for the Ultra sponsored after party, but spectators enticing us to stray. Around the next block, mile 22, was a block party with music and beer flowing. A fake ?aid station? with poured glasses of beer and all the cigarettes you could handle replace the official 'aid station'. Just what you need. Turning the corner, it was back to the downtown finish area. 4 miles to go with the walk/run was in full swing. Back into downtown, we headed for Ford Field. At 26 miles, only the ramp down to the 50-yard line separated you from the finish. What an intense level of emotion coming off the ramp and on to the field. The emotion was just as intense as the first marathon. Supporters and family viewed the finish from the stands. Those steps back to street level were a killer and the last thing you needed after 26.2 miles. All in all, the marathon was a very organized and enjoyable. The medal was great; comparable to Disney. The after-celebration was delightful. I would highly recommend Detroit and will do it again in 2005. |
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