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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 321 to 331]
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N. M. from Detroit, MI
(10/2/2004)
"Great first time marathon!" (about: 2002)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great first time marathon. The course was mostly flat and the spectators were fabulous! The weather was perfect, and running into Ford Field at the end was awesome! | |
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R. L. from Columbus, Ohio
(8/31/2004)
"I'd highly recommend it!" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon and I absolutely loved this race. It was very well organized. The weather was beautiful. It was a nice managable size - about 6000 runners. The course was very flat and surprisingly beautiful. You travel over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada, along the Detroit River, around Belle Island. You get to finish indoors in Ford Field, which is fantastic, because you get to cross the finish line on the 'big screen', use the bathrooms to change, stay warm while munching and retrieving your bag, and your fans can get out of the elements and wait for you at the finish line in comfort. I know that some people did not like the fact that there were so few fans along sections of the course, particularly the Belle Island portion of the race. However, I'm in the minority in that I prefer not to be flanked by the screaming hoards until the end of the race. I actually enjoyed the peaceful run around Belle Island. My only criticism relates to port-o-john's.I have never seen so few port-o-john's before a major race in all my living life! It was astounding. That's not enough to keep me away though. I'll definitely run this race again. | |
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chris raftary from dearborn michigan
(8/5/2004)
"Wow" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon, and a great one. Great competition, great sites, great spectators... it was an awesome time. | |
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J. Z. from Ann Arbor, MI
(6/10/2004)
"A Great First Marathon" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon ever (2003) and while I have nothing to compare it with, running Detroit taught me to love marathoning. I will do this race again and I thought that the course was beautiful, the spectators wonderful! | |
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P. C. from Ohio USA
(5/16/2004)
"Simply Outstanding" (about: 2003)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a great race! Fun, interesting course, great organization. As a veteran of over 60 marathons, this is one not to miss!!! | |
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James Varner from Dearborn, Michigan
(4/26/2004)
"2003 a GREAT Year for a Marathon" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My son ran it in 2002 and I ran it in 2003 and will run it again in 2004. I was 52 when I ran my 1st Marathon in Detroit. I enjoyed it so much that I am planning to run it every year until I am no longer able. It was one of my life's most enjoyable events and it is worth repeating. Who knows, it may even add years to my life - what a benefit. Thanks Detroit Flagstar for a memorable marathon. See you in a few months... James Varner Dearborn, Mi. | |
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Jeff Lusko from Southfield, MI
(4/21/2004)
"An Awesome Experience" (General Comments)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I completed the marathon in 2002 and 2003. Both years were really great, but I liked the course change in 2003 even more. All in all, I think the event is well planned, well organized, and very well executed. I've been really impressed both years. Keep up the great work! I look forward to being a part of this awesome event for many years to come. | |
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N. H. from Ypsilanti Michigan
(4/20/2004)
"Great experience" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and to be honest I was not expecting much from Detroit, but I could not have been more wrong. I have lived in this area my whole life, and I never knew that there were so many nice areas of Detroit. The fans that were there were fantastic, and the course was set up so that your family could see you several times during the race. The water and support stations were every mile. I especially loved running through the tunnel. Everybody started to yell like little kids as we ran in there, and when we came out the fans were amazing. I know that some people didn't like the Ford Field finish, but I thought it was so cool to run into the stadium at the end, and my family could watch me finish. Overall it was a great race. The only negatives were the stairs at the end of the race and the lack of johns at the start. I will be back. | |
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Randy Otto from South Lyon (near Ann Arbor) MI
(3/25/2004)
"Best Course Yet" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 2003 was my first full marathon, but I'd captained relays and volunteered in past races and can tell you this was the best course yet. I would just echo others by going on, except for this: very family spectator friendly. My family was able to see me start, then walked a few blocks south to see me exit the tunnel, (did breakfast in Greektown, and hit the casino) then walked back a few blocks to the stadium to see me finish. Also, while I understand the stadium entry issues (ramp, darkness, then the steps back); I've been at other finishes when the weather was an issue. I'll take these small issues for the protection and the excellent spectator view of the finish line. My family was able to see me enter the field and finish... something not available at a lot of street-level finishes. Part of the reasons for the crowds is that this course has changed so many times. In my opinion, set and keep a course, then the crowds will be better each subsequent year. That's why the Indian Village leg is so good. | |
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J. K. from Grosse Pointe, MI
(2/8/2004)
"Good experience overall" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I am from Detroit and frankly didn't expect much in the way of organization and spectator support. Granted, there were too few porta-johns at the start, but overall I was pleasantly surprised at the way it was all put together. I brought Gu in a fanny pack but water and Gu/gel stations were so abundant I never had to stop and use my own. The leg through Indian Village was great; bands, fans in costume, and the famous stop where one could get a beer (and a cigarette if insane) before proceeding. Yes, the last leg through the tunnel at Ford Field was dark, but hey, it was unique. Only one gripe. PLEASE don't make me climb 100 steps after running a marathon to get water and a bagel (NO BEER???). |
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