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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 331 to 341]
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K. F. from Ontario, Canada
(1/8/2004)
"Mixed Review" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Although there were many good aspects, I?m not as enthusiastic about this race as I expected to be. As many postings have pointed out, the start area was terrible. There weren?t nearly enough porta-potties, and the half-hour line-ups for these went right through the start area, so the beginning of the race was chaotic. The start area was a little far from the host hotel, and there was no public transportation or shuttles. There were mixed messages about the availability of the People Mover. As the marathon web site says, it wasn?t available, but several people at the expo and the host hotel thought that it was. The finish in Ford Field is nice, though the ramp is a little steep, and should be better lit. It?s hard to adapt to the dimness after 26 miles in the sun. There was no information given about the finish area ? your friends can?t come onto the field, and you can?t go into the part of the stands where they are without exiting the stadium first (and save some energy for those stairs!). I understand the space constraints, but the organizers should put more information out about this so people can plan a meeting place. At least a few of the mile markers were wrongly placed in the early part of the race ? very confusing when you?re trying to sort out your pace. Things were a little crowded on the bridge ? it was too early in the race to force all those runners into one lane. Hopefully this was a one-year glitch due to the construction on the bridge. The good things ? a tremendous group of volunteers! Water stations every mile ? fantastic! There were several excellent bands, and a bagpiper. Crowd support was great ? lots of encouragement at many points along the course. Belle Island was beautiful. And although some didn?t like it, I thought running through the tunnel was pretty cool. Hopefully the start and finish problems can be addressed, because this race has a lot going for it. | |
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S. B. from Sterling Heights, MI
(12/30/2003)
"GREAT COURSE, WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second time walking the Detroit Marathon. The course and volunteers were the best! I really enjoyed the race and will be back next year. However, I was disappointed that the walking division was dropped and that walkers' results were mixed in with runners'. I agree that more port-a-johns are needed at the start. It would also be nice to see more entertainment on the second half of the course. | |
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T. M. from Grand Raoids, MI
(11/3/2003)
"Outstanding" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with most of the comments concerning the lack of porta-potties at the start. However, it was a great event. I have run NYC, Chicago, and Columbus. They all are good. But I was really impressed with Detroit. The host hotel did an outstanding job allowing late checkout--something most other places won't do. This made a great race better. I will be back--and I'm bringing more friends! | |
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H. E. from Chicago, IL
(10/27/2003)
"A potentially great marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Overall, the Detroit Marathon was a great run - resulting in a PR and a drop of over 20 minutes from my previous marathon (Nashville). The spectators were sparse at times, but when they were present, they really cheered us on, and made us feel welcome. Sorry I can't say the same thing for the crowds in traffic - I thought I was going to see a minister and an older woman on their way to church get arrested for verbally assaulting a police officer. Hat's off to Detroit's finest for their patience and professionalism. My only 'complaint' is that the sponsors of this great run can do better with the preparations. 6,500 runners at the start with only 34 port-a-johns = fuzzy math. Erratic water stops and too few port-a-johns along the route became a distraction. The worst 'offense' -- making runners run down a dark, STEEP ramp into Ford Field. Whoever thought that up, and then made runners walk up steps to get out of the stadium has obviously never run 26.2. I'd rather finish across a good old-fashioned finish line - I didn't need the pounding on the knees to feel like a champion - crossing the line after a marathon is 'champion-ing' enough. Overall, however, a GREAT race. Thanks for your hospitality, Detroit! | |
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Cindy Drouillard from Amherstburg, Ontario. CANADA
(10/22/2003)
"Doing this marathon was an amazing experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Detroit Free Press was my first marathon. The experience was truely amazing! Going over the bridge was unbelievable and then running through the tunnel to come out to what seemed to be the whole city of Detroit down there cheering everyone on, it was so overwhelming! Belle Isle was beautiful!! I had never been there so it was great to finally see it. All of the spectators in Detroit were so supportive. Seeing that I had a 'greenie' bib number, I kept hearing my #2304 being called out, and telling me what a great job and accomplishment I was making! Words cannot describe the feeling I had when entering Ford Field! My boys were up in the stands calling me to look at them and I felt so proud! I would recommend this marathon to everyone, especially if it is your first time out! The Detroiters are VERY supportive! -Cindy Drouillard | |
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Nicole Byers from United States
(10/18/2003)
"What an awesome experience!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, so I really don't have anything to compare it with. But the only complaint I have is like everyone else's: the lack of porta-johns. But I am so glad that Detroit was my first. It was really beautiful seeing the different sights of Detroit. It made the race seem not quite as long as I was expecting. It truly was an experience that I will never forget... running with my father in the Detroit Marathon. | |
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S. G. from Gaylord, Michigan
(10/17/2003)
"Motown is back" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon. I was better conditioned, more experienced as a racer and ready for this race. The start was ok, except for the porta-potties - there was about 20 porta-potties for 3000 people, which is not going to work. There were many who missed the start because of this fact. Once on our way, the Ambassador Bridge and Canada were amazing, great support along the way. The international tunnel was my favorite part of the race. It was great. Belle Isle was not a bad place to run, except one problem: there is nothing or no one there. The fans were amazing along the course except for Belle Isle, which were the 'gutcheck' miles of 12-18. After that you get nothing but great support and adoring fans. The Ford Field finish was superb. Thanks to all (especially mom who was there, and means everything to me). Mom, thank you and I love you, here is to our next marathon. You are my inspiration. | |
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M. W. from Louisville, KY
(10/16/2003)
"Nice place to do a first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved the concept of the green bib. The townspeople were very nice to us first-time marathoners with the green bibs. Also good was the stadium finish, the volunteers at the water stations were very friendly, the early start for those that wanted it, the two country course. Bad, but not horrible, was the fact that they took out some of the water stations without notice. It was good from the aspect of not too much water for the slow people. It was bad because it wasn't announced and I was afraid that all the stations were gone. The ones with the orange slices were, but one volunteer gave me a donut and another gave me pretzels so I did get some 'real' food. Bad also was that the early start needs to be a tiny bit earlier, as the bulk of the runners catch up on the Ambassador Bridge and about run you over. Also, where were the photo people and why can't they organize the photos better. They had many mismatched photos on the wrong people and appear to have left pretty early. | |
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D. B. from Canton, MI
(10/14/2003)
"Great race - nice course and wasn't too crowded" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Since this was my first time running a marathon, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was surprised how the miles melted away. I loved the course - there was so much to see and I felt like it kept my mind engaged on more than just my aches and pains. I look forward to running this again next year. | |
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Skip Gadberry from Gaylord, Michigan
(10/14/2003)
"Motown Is Back" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon ever, and the 2nd in the last 5 months. My first time was 4:08, and now I am down to 3:19. Enough about me. This course is great, great support, and an array of different ethnicities in Greektown, Mexicantown, etc. The weather was amazing, and the mayor was there to see us off. Aid stations every mile and posted times. The route around Belle Isle was a little long, and there was not a lot of support there during those 'gutcheck' miles of 13-18. The porta-potties were over-used and too few of them at that. Other than that, a great race. I love Detroit and will be back. The finish on Ford Field made you feel like a star. This race was beginning of many marathons for me hopefully. Mom thank you for coming, you are the reason I am where I am today, and going where I am headed. I love you. |
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