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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 361 to 371]
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A Runner from MI
(10/15/2002)
"This was my First MARATHON :)" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon every so I have little to compare it to, but it was great. The day was beautiful, the coures was what ledgends are made of (the view from the bridge, having the whole tunnle to ourselves, CANADA), and the finish in Ford Field was a soft alternative to the pavement I had been running on for 26.2 miles. This was one of the greatest events of my life. Belle Isle was beautiful and while passing through an aid station I recieved one of the best Jolly Ranchers I have ever tasted from a very happy man. Being a greeny, I got a lot of support and energy from the crowds and fellow runners. Canada gave great support. Belle Isle is NOT where marathoner go to die. IT's where they go to get away from the stinky man holes in the city. It is a truly beautiful place to run. The only frump in the day was I missed the last shuttle from my hotel to the start, there was no gu left at mile 15 and what goody bag? I never saw a goody bag. They know how many people are in the race, why didn't I get my goody bag :(. But hey,I did get my spots massage when I finished (yeah). Over all, I can't wait till next year. Thank you Detroit. | |
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A Runner from Rochester, MI
(10/14/2002)
"Great course and race this year" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd Detroit Marathon and by far the best. Of course the perfect weather made a big difference, but it was really nice to have the Canadian loop back again. The view from the top of the Ambassador Bridge with the sun rising over the river was spectacular! It also helped that I took 16 minutes off last year's time, but again the weather (no headwind) was a factor. Low points were mainly running out of Gu and goodies, although I was only about 3/4 back in the pack. I also could have done without the VERY loud band in the finish reception area. | |
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A Runner from from Florida
(10/11/2002)
"Happy 25th, Detroit" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Congratulations Detroit on a very good race. The course was a treat, going from the new park and theater district to the challenge of the Ambassador Bridge to Canada, then along the water with a beautiful park overlooking the Detroit skyline, into the Tunnel to be welcomed 'Back to the States!' cheering and onto the warehouse district and the serene Belle Isle. Then out on Jefferson to the friendly Indian Village neighborhood with shade trees to be welcomed back downtown and Greektown and then the brand new Ford Field Finish (FFF)!! You did a marvelous job with the course. I also did Disney Marathon this year and Detroit was much more fun and entertaining. Yes, you do need more portajohns at the start - why not start inside the Baseball field? Wish there was a map of the start area and it was a little congested and not enough space for staging. The big screen TV was a hit. Fans and police patrol were tops. The finish on the 35 yard line was a real bonus, just getting down the ramp was tough. I am glad the camera did not show the tunnel! One constructive thing, you need more signage in the host hotel. Many and I mean many! were wandering trying to find the way in and out. It felt like a marathon getting around the building. It was great to come back to Detroit for a great run. You could not have asked for better weather! Thanks for the cool day! I would do this one again. Thanks Detroit. | |
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Sam Robinson - from Ann Arbor, MI
(10/11/2002)
"What an excellent race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon, and I really enjoyed the experience. The course was terrific, especially the bridge, the stretch through Windsor, Belle Isle, and Indian Village. I loved the finish at Ford field, even with the steep descent through the tunnel and the steps up to the food and massage tables. It would have been nice to have a clearer place to meet family and friends, and I was a little disappointed at the lack of attention given to us slower runners (ran out of GU, few directions at the end, etc.) Overall though, I really enjoyed this race. They do really need more porta potties at the start, however. If they keep the course the same, I will definitely run this race again next year! | |
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A Runner from Ann Arbor, MI
(10/10/2002)
"Great Experience for this First Timer" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a very enjoyable, memorable experience running my first marathon at the Detroit 2002 event. The course was excellent -- the bridge to Canada, the tunnel back, Belle Isle, Indian Village, with the incredible finish at Ford Field. Please keep the course the same for 2003. Also, volunteers were out in numbers -- Gatorade and water all around the course. And even bunches of enthusiastic fans. I will be back to run in 2003! (my only constructive criticism -- definitely needed more porta-johns at the start) | |
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A Runner from Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
(10/10/2002)
"first time marathoner enjoyed this event" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran my first marathon here, and it was fantastic!!! The route over the Ambassador Bridge, along the paved trail in Windsor, through the Windsor Tunnel, and around Belle Isle was very unique and entertaining. The finish inside Ford Field was a thrill! This event made my first marathon one of the highlights of my running career. | |
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A Runner from Amelia, Ohio
(10/9/2002)
"A 25th anniversary done right!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running Detroit. The course was a thrill. The 5% grade of the Ambassador bridge isn't a big deal at the 3 mile mark. On my walk back to my hotel, there must have been close to a dozen motorists and passers-by who congratulated me on my finish. Mr. Kurtis did a fantastic job in choosing the route we ran. | |
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Herb Kaiser from West Bloomfield, Mi USA
(10/9/2002)
"The most exhilarating experience one could imagine" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Marathon of many I hope. I can't believe any race could be better organized and supported by the public. The spectators and volunteer workers were so much behind me that it was like they are family. The course was picturesque and easy to follow. I throughly enjoyed the international flair. The view from Windsor was a sight to behold. The course was flat and the weather couldn't have been better. What a great experience! I reached my goal and couldn't feel better about myself, Thanks Detroit | |
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A Runner from Toledo, OH
(10/9/2002)
"A runner from Toledo" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a wonderful race!! A great showcase for Detroit. Please keep this course as it has many positives. The bridge and tunnel are unique and Belle Isle is a very special running spot. Highlights: *Great course, international! *Finish on Ford Field - WONDERFUL! *Picture on big screen *Picture perfect day *Great crowd and police support Areas of Concern: *PortaJohns at start - not enough! *No GU at mile 15, ran out!! *No goodie bags for later runners, did not even know there were BAGS-only thing left was yogurt and fruit. *Music between mile 20 and 21 packed up at 4 hours into race. Hello, there are still runners on the course who really need you there. Let the other people pick YOU up, don't you leave to pick them up. That was real Poor thinking and planning. *Potholes *Walkers/relay 3 and 4 abreast, share the road a little *Local TV sponsor did not show race Why not START the race inside Comerica Park?? There are lots of bathrooms, family/friends can watch from the stands. You only have to open a section like in Ford Field, how unique! This was a wonderful race and the numbers should increase. Thank you. | |
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A Runner from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/8/2002)
"Diamond in the Dirt" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was fully expecting a dreary, dark and dull marathon but was treated to a beautiful day and a course which did its best to show Detroit in a shining light. The expo at the RenCen was tremendous with great deals on clothes and shoes. Registration was very fast and orderly. Thumbs up for the long hours and enthusiastic retailers. The start at Comerica/Ford Field was great, lots of space, very orderly and a fairly quick start. The first three miles toured downtown Detroit, where you can see the city's efforts to improve the area. Then, up and over the Ambassador bridge was spectacular. It might have been the great weather, but both Windsor and Detroit looked good from the top of the bridge. The trip through Windsor Canada was fun, very safe on the bike path. Belle Island was decent to run around, but the roads were full of potholes. The last six miles were good, the people at the aide stations were very enthusiastic. The course needed MANY more Porta-Potty's, especially at the start and the beginning of the race. While it was cool to finish on Ford Field, I hope they make it on the street next year. Not many people cheering you on at the finishline. As for the relays, I thought it was great of the race committee to allow all relay team members to meet up and finish together. I saw quite a few teams meeting up outside Ford Field and running to the finish as a team. If you want a good race, which is well organized and plenty of aide stations, this is your race. Just make sure you take care of your 'business' before you leave the hotel!!!!! |
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