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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 351 to 361]
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C. K. from Atlanta, GA
(10/6/2003)
"Could have been a better race..." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race has potential but needs work. Too crowded at the start with too few portajohns for the crowd this year. Some streets were in bad disrepair making sure footing an issue. The Ambassador Bridge part was very cool and the Canadian side provided a beautiful view of Downtown Detroit and the Riverfront area. Belle Isle was nice as was the Indian Village part of the run (complete with the Blues Brothers' Band!). Finishing inside Ford Field was different and pretty neat. Crowds were sporadic but enthusiastic. More 'spirit stations' and music would help. Water stops weren't evenly spaced along the course and needed tables set up to aid the giving out of drinks. Had to wait a couple of times - Not good! Also, some mile markers seemed off. No designated 'reunion' area made finding family members challenging. Not very adequate food/drink afterward. | |
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Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH
(10/6/2003)
"Great course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The highlight of this race is the course, especially the part on the bike path along the Detroit River in Windsor, Canada, and the circling of Belle Island. The finish at the 50-yard line at Ford Field is nice, too. Water/Gatorade stops were frequent (every mile) and well run. Spectators were great, but not as many as I would've expected for a race this size. Organization was good, but far too few restrooms at the start, many of the mile markers during the first several miles were not in the right spot, and more course music/entertainment would've been nice. Still, overall, a very pleasurable race. | |
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S. R. from Portage, Michigan
(10/6/2003)
"Great fall marathon alternative to Chicago" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 If you're looking for a great fall marathon experience without the crowds of the mega-marathons, this is it. Yesterday was my first marathon in 25 years, and it was truly sensational. The course is awesome; going over the bridge as the sun is rising over the river, the view of the Detroit skyline from Canada, the serenity of Belle Isle, the ethnic neighborhood, and the Ford Field finish make this course so memorable. Some highlights for me were the enthusiastic spectators lining the street as we came out of the tunnel and off of Belle Isle, the many bands, musicians and DJ's along the route to keep our spirits up, the folks giving out free beer in Indian Village, and of course the Ford Field tunnel (if you've read that it's steep - it's steeper) and the first glimpse of the field knowing there're only 50 yards to go. The whole race was well organized, with the one exception in my experience being either no transportation or no clearly defined transportation from the host hotel to the start/finish. (Had to walk a mile to the start and the mile back to the hotel when done, ouch)! Spectators were enthusiastic and very supportive, with many manning the aid stations and many just cheering us on. It would be nice to see more spectators on Belle Isle and on the Canadian side. All in all, this is a well run, first-class marathon that anyone should consider. Thank you, Detroit!! | |
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K. H. from WESTLAND, MI
(10/6/2003)
"GREAT FIRST MARATHON" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Although I have nothing to compare it with, I found the course challenging and fun. The diversity of the communities we ran through kept my attention throughout the race. The bridge and tunnel were thrilling, as was the finish at Ford Field. The spectators were wonderful, especially for us 'greenies'. Only negatives are too few porta-jons at the start, a crowded starting area, and having to walk from the playing field all of the way to the top of Ford Field to exit (at least 50 rows). Overall, a great time. | |
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C. E. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/6/2003)
"Great course and fans, if you make the start!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Once you cross the starting line for the Detroit Freepress Marathon you begin to appreciate what a great run this is. But getting to and through the start is challenging. We stayed at the Renaissance (the host hotel) the evening before the race and all the race information indicated that we could take the People Mover to the start. Unfortunately, because of construction, in order to get to the People Mover, you had to find your way through the GM Headquarters, across the street to the proper level of the Willender Center. Once you got there you found out that the People Mover didn't start operating until after the start of the race. So we walked to the race, following people who fortunately knew how to get there. We immediately got in long lines for the port-o-johns and waited over 1/2 hour in line. We got through that line just as the race was starting. There were many people who never got through the line at all. While we were in line, Anita Baker sang the national anthem on a failing sound system. The area designated as the starting area was inadequate for all the people registered, with the starters winding around a corner and intermixing with the people still in line for the restrooms. Obviously my initial impressions of the race were not good. But out on the course it was a different story. The race course is terrific, varied and interesting. From Mexican Village, across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and back to the U.S. I couldn't help thinking about how wrong I was about this race. Once we came back through the tunnel, the crowd support was wonderful, with people cheering you on at every key point. All along the way, around Belle Isle, through Indian Village and on to Greektown the support never stopped. There were water stops everywhere with both water and Gatorade. The police support and traffic control were terrific. As the race concluded with the run down the ramp onto Ford Field, I knew this was a race I would return to. Then I realized I would have to climb up all those stairs to the main concourse. Congrats Detroit on putting together a great race. For next year, let's work on the start! | |
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Paul Alofs from Toronto
(10/4/2003)
"Running for my mom" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I first ran this marathon in 1982 with 2 buddies. I ran in '89 and 2002. I am running this year for my mom, Pat Alofs, who passed away Nov. 2, 2002. For you, Mom! | |
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Chuck Storey from White Lake, MI
(10/3/2003)
"A Story for Inspiration" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Hi! 18 years ago I ran/completed the marathon in (1985). It was a goal acheived and for me, a perfect example of mind over matter. 1 year before the marathon, I weighed over 300 lbs. That year, I joined a health club and started fast walking - graduating to running by time rather than distance. I saw the ad in a local sports supplier store and decided I would go after the race and make it a goal. I worked out regularly, and started running 4-5 times a week. Prior to the event, the maximum time I had run was 2 hours, which for me was 12 miles. When it came to marathon day, I weighed 255 lbs and was raring to go. I started out with the first group, because I knew I would be finishing towards the end of the race. My parents asked me, where can we expect to pick you up along the route (not believing I would be able to complete the race). I said: AT THE FINISH LINE. The race started, and I started falling behind. This was ok, because this is what I expected. I was amazed at the experience of it all. The people that I met along the route, offering candy, orange slices, ice cubes etc., and all the encouragement. It was those bits of support that made me finish the route. Around the 19-mile spot I hit the wall and ran out of gas. My parents had caught up with me (near Grosse Pointe), and my mom asked me if there was anything she could do for me. I said, "Run with me," so she did for a little while. I kept going, even after my mom had to stop. Around the 22-mile mark, an EMS crew followed me for a while as I looked BAD. I was bleeding a bit from my breasts, and probably looked like I was ready to collapse. They followed me for the last 3 miles. Finally I came to the bridge that lead to Belle Isle, where the race was to finish. I saw lots of people leaving as if everyone had left. People were still egging me on to finish and keep going. I came to the finish line. No cheering crowds, no one there except the time-keeper, the medal-giver, and the person that handed out the foil wraps. My parents drove over and collected me. I crawled into the back seat and started to cry. I was so happy that I had made it, against all odds really. The experience will always be one of those turning points in my life, when I knew the efforts are worth the reward. Although I had a long recovery period from the ordeal. It will always remain as one of the most special moments in my life. So yes, I did get a medal. Thankfully, my parents took pictures that day. I will cherish them forever. My final standing was 2,209th place. | |
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Scott McCamish from Ann Arbor, Michigan
(5/23/2003)
"This race keeps getting better" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every year this race improves and gets better! Last year was far and away the best Detroit Marathon I have run, and I have previously been in the '96, '98 and '01 versions of the race. The course in '02 was the best by far, because of the bridge/tunnel legs, the great finish at Ford Field and also the start near Comerica Park. I highly recommend this race, even though I'm a bit biased because I live in the area. The organization is first class, the fans are wonderful - music everywhere and lots of rally points to keep you going to the finish. | |
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R. D. from Kentucky
(5/11/2003)
"Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great marathon, expo, course, and weather. Everything you want in a marathon is here including varying roads, tunnels, bridges, Canada, USA, etc. I grew up in Detroit, so coming back here and revisiting the many roads once traveled over on tires I got to experience on shoe treads. In a rather unique experience, in Belle Island, several of us runners had to stop and wait about 4 minutes to let a pack of wild deer sprinting in single file across a road. If I only had a camera!!! MY only recommendation is to diminish the amount of miles run on Belle Island, as there is very little crowd support there. I would run this again but I am going for the 50 states & DC and try not to repeat too many states. | |
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A Runner from Flint, Michigan
(10/15/2002)
"Great experience in Detroit" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course has a lot of variation between the different stretches that keep the run interesting. My only suggestion on the course would be to pull a couple miles out of Belle Isle (I think they've packed about 8-9 miles there) and route them downtown where there's more people and action. You actually see suprisingly little of downtown Detroit. I've only run a few organized races, but thought this was terrific. The attendance seemed perfect to me, enough to make it exciting, but never a problem with crowding past the 1st mile. I wouldn't count on it in Michigan in October, but the weather was ideal too! |
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