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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 241 to 251]
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Greg Ferreri from Cleveland, OH
(6/22/2006)
"Great experience for a first-timer!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I don't think I could have picked a better race for my first marathon. From the moment I arrived in Detroit the day before, I could tell this was a big deal. The expo had lots of free samples and exhibits to peruse, and I was able to get a not-too-expensive hotel room right near the starting line at Comerica Park. The course itself was oustanding. The scenery of the Detroit and Windsor skylines was all around us, and the cross over to Canada and back was awesome. Lots of crowds cheering and there were plenty of water/Gatorade stops, along with a couple of power gel stops as well. However, the second gel stop was too late along the course to be of any benefit. The descent into Ford Field at the end of the race was sort of a mixed blessing. On one hand, it was really cool to run into a giant stadium with a crowd cheering and run to the 50-yard line at the site of the next Super Bowl. On the other hand, running downhill on concrete to finish a 26.2 mile race was excruciating. But the climb up the stadium stairs was even worse. I was sort of delirious at the time, and it was very difficult for me to find my family afterwards. Overall, this race was an excellent experience, and I would recommend it to anyone. | |
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A. G. from Grand Rapids, MI
(6/19/2006)
"Great first marathon!" (about: 2003)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon back in 2003, and it was a great experience! The course was excellent, at times hard to believe you were even in a big city. The sunrise over the Ambassador Bridge was spectacular, Belle Isle was beautiful, the neighborhoods were really nice, and the finish in Ford Field was near-perfet. My biggest laugh during the run came when one of the spectators in one neighborhood tried offering beer to the runners. The fans were always cheering you on, even across the border in Windsor. My organization rating is a little harsher for two reasons: 1. When picking up my race number, I had a snafu because my number was somehow missing. I had to re-register as a different number. This also prevented me from wearing a green bib number signifying my first marathon. I was rather disappointed with this, but it otherwise didn't detract from the race itself. 2. It was very tricky finding my family after the race was over in Ford Field. Granted, this was my really big race and I didn't fully know what to expect, but after running more races recently, there could have been signs for where runners could meet their families according to last names (for instance, I could have met my family in a section for runners whose last name began with a G) It is entirely possible that the organization of the reunion area has improved since I ran in Detroit (I ran in 2003). And despite these troubles, I enjoyed the race and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a good marathon! Thanks Detroit. | |
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J. W. from Baltimore, MD
(6/3/2006)
"Shockingly Good! Won Me Over!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I went into this race with the lowest possible expectations, but I ended up loving it! My boyfriend, runner of 20+ marathons, also ranks it in his top ten. We would feel comfortable recommending it and would probably do it again if we weren't doing 50 States. A few of the main unique high points: --FAST course! Couldn't really be any flatter: almost totally level except for a slight incline at the Ambassador Bridge. If this isn't a PR course and a good Boston qualifier, then I don't know what is! My boyfriend PR'd by two minutes for a 2:55, and I PR'd by FIFTEEN minutes for a 4:25 -- even though I stopped to use a bathroom several times!! --The 'international marathon' aspect of the race is as cool as advertised. Running across the bridge and looking up and down the Detroit River and at the Detroit/Windsor skylines was beautiful. Also, the Canadian spectators' welcome is so enthusiastic that it's like getting to launch across the starting line all over again, in the middle of the race! Running back to the U.S. through the 'underwater mile' tunnel is pretty cool too, with lots of spectators awaiting you yet again at the exit on the Detroit side. All this really made the first half of the race fly by. -True to Detroit's musical heritage, there were fun, invigorating bands along the course, including jazz, blues, country -- and mariachi in Mexican Village (a high point of the race). Other course highlights include the pretty, historic riverfront park Belle Isle; Detroit's improving downtown and Greektown entertainment district; and revitalizing historic neighborhoods like Corktown and the friendly Indian Village with its lovely big homes, trees, and nice residents. --Downtown Detroit is still pretty quiet/traffic-free, especially early on a weekend. So, with a little planning & a course map, your spectators can walk/drive around the course and see you numerous times. We saw our families so many times that it was almost ridiculous (like, 6-7 times!). It cracked me up! --There were more spectators than I could have imagined for Detroit, including many 'spirit stations' along the course. I would call it totally adequate spectator coverage, with some friendly midwestern folks cheering you on. The tunnel of spectators at the very end were screaming so loud that they rivaled the Wellesley College crowd at Boston! --Weather in Detroit in late October is cool-ish and good for running; it was fun to start in the dark and head toward the bridge to arrive there at sunrise. Good music at the start in the shadow of nifty-looking new Tiger Stadium! --If you are into the race medal thing, this one was cool, with a little spinning device in it. Now to address some of the criticisms: --I have no idea why people are so upset about the descent into Ford Field. It takes only a few seconds, then you end up running out on the turf of this gorgeous new stadium, with your image projected on the Jumbotron, your name over the loudspeakers, and your fans comfortably relaxing and cheering for you in the stands! Totally worth it for me, and I am not even a football fan! Same with the stairs back up: they are low-rise and nothing that should be horrible or impossible if you've just run 26.2. Heck, drunk Lions fans can manage them, and is there a more hopeless bunch?! --The post-race food situation was just as bad as everyone says. There simply wasn't much left, and what remained was kinda hard to find (no real lines or anything). No quality carbs or bagels: isn't that against the marathon laws?! The Whole Foods samples at the expo were good/ample/organized, so not sure what happened! --There really needs to be some kind of organized family meeting area at the end. It took me a long time and a lot of searching to find my group. --There aren't any 'slums,' as one reviewer said! (Um, I didn't notice any harrassing 'street people' either!) There *are* a few parts of the course that I wouldn't call 'pretty,' but they are still varied & interesting. It IS Detroit, a smaller city that is rebuilding after some hard times, so be realistic: it's not New York or even Chicago! | |
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b. c. from Rockford, MI
(4/20/2006)
"great experience" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm 55 years-old and this was my first marathon. I'm glad I chose Detroit! Great experience. | |
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Alan Headbloom from Midland, MI
(4/17/2006)
"The course was scenic, varied, and interesting!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved so many aspects of this race: crossing an international border via bridge, then tunnel - awesome! Enjoyed seeing the diversity of Detroit's neighborhoods - from spectacularly historical and elegant to RustBelt realistic and sad. The fans were festive and supportive. The cops returned my high-fives - on BOTH sides of the river. The start and finish in the sports complex area were super. Highly recommendable - not just as an MI target for your 50-states list, but for the experience of a great course and real Midwestern friendliness. | |
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Linda Miller from Wellington Florida
(2/11/2006)
"Constant scenery changes, bridges, old buildings" (about: 2003)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was so beautiful, especially going over the bridges and past the beautiful old buildings. The friendly police officers directing us along the way were great. Lots of food and drink. Really friendly course. I loved it. | |
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John Schmidt from NW suburbs of Chicago
(12/9/2005)
"Words can't describe this race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Superb course layout. It is so varied that the scenery *never* gets boring! This was my first marathon (I was a greenie in 2004) and can't imagine any race being a better initiation into marathoning. | |
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Raymond Green from Kentucky, USA
(11/30/2005)
"I can't say enough good about this event!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a fabulous experience. I ran as a pacer for my brother who was running his first 26.2. We took 5:07 to finish and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The course is beautiful, crowd support is great, aid stations were top notch and frequent, and overall organization was top of the line. I would only change one thing and that would be the finish area. Spectators aren't allowed into the area where runners get the recovery food & beverages so you have to grab & go or skip it if you have family waiting. Dispensing of food could be controlled easily enough by simply not allowing anyone without a race number at the booths. | |
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David Reinhart from San Antonio, Texas
(11/17/2005)
"What a Surprise!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I chose to run this marathon because I needed Michigan in my attempt at the 50-States Club and it was the only one that fit my schedule. Having visited Detroit many a time in the past I had low expectations for this marathon, but was pleasantly surprised. I would have to rank this race in my top 8 (of 36). This just goes to prove that a marathon does not have to be in a vacation location to be an excellent race; what matters are the planning and organization. Kudos! | |
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J. K. from Morris MN
(11/15/2005)
"pretty cool experience " (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Lots of fun, and some of the quirks were well explained beforehand. I personally liked the Ford Field finish, downhill and all, and was prepared for the stair climb afterwards (although I agree the post-race spread was a bit lacking). Biggest problem was the closing of the tunnel. Race literature said it would close 2 hours after the start (9:30), but I lined up where I was supposed to as a slow half marathoner and it took me over 14 minutes to cross the start line. But they didn't extend the time to the tunnel too by 14 minutes and I had to run record time (for me!) to get to the tunnel entrance in time. Unless you're a power-walker, few of the walkers were going to make it! Why have a walking division when the majority aren't going to get to participate in the whole race? No wonder there were lots of half marathoners and walkers lined up at the front (much to the dismay of the marathoners) and no wonder there were so many walkers that ran a lot of the first part of the course! I know it's difficult to close the tunnel for the race, but either change the start so it doesn't take so long to cross the start line or leave the course to the tunnel open a full 2 hours after everyone has started! (Or at least print appropriate info so runners/walkers know what they're facing.) |
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