As only one of over 25,000 participants this year and in no way connected with the race itself except to run it, it felt like being part of a huge family – amazing within the scope and location of this event. As a local athlete, well-versed in the state, area race organizers and many venues, I was happily surprised by the organization (pre, during, and post race), the security, and the support and warmth of the staff and volunteers.
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If you are considering a fall 2017 half or full marathon, do this race. After race parties had already begun at local eateries and the whole area felt happy, secure, friendly and supportive. The end chute was a well organized bounty of finisher medals, grab bags, space blankets, water, food, and friendly volunteers offering congratulations. The last two miles were through downtown, around blocks and finally down the home stretch to the finish, with the announcer calling out individual names and home towns for a personalized cross of the finish line. One man set up a tent, a microphone and a karaoke machine and serenaded runners as they passed. The last half of the race was a bit more subdued as we wound through nicer neighborhoods of downtown, with water and Gatorade stations every two miles and random spectators playing their radios from porches or offering tables of bananas (and one with Dixie cups of beer). The crowd made this halfway point seem effortless as we ran through the cheers and music. Back through the tunnel and onto the main thoroughfare downtown, under Cobo arena, people lined the street and overpass. One elderly gentleman shouted "Keep going! Only one country to go!". The crowds were out in force and entertaining – some offering spare bedrooms if the upcoming presidential election went a particular direction. Into Canada, the course ran primarily along the riverfront. The height of the bridge is considerable, and running over it at sunrise, looking down the river at the lights of the city and the colors of the sky in the water was simply awesome. Nearly every officer clapped, gave high fives, or cheered as we ran past – their support was amazing. At about two miles in, the ascent to the bridge began and security became thicker. The announcer counted down the first wave start, the gun went off, and the cheers and music were a wave of energy. The sheer number of runners all poised and ready was exhilarating, the excitement was tangible. Thousands - thousands! - of runners stood in their designated areas, spotlights lighting the streets like daylight, music pouring from the speakers, energy building. Runners were sorted into corrals by their predicted race pace, which was asked of you at registration. Police presence was plentiful and friendly – one mounted officer even offered to position his horse for pictures with us. Hotels, coffee shops, and even a hot dog restaurant all offered their facilities as people made ready to run or support. Luckily we had a plan, and parked a few blocks from the line. The freeways leading into the city were jammed by 6:00am, and if you hadn't printed out the emailed map of available parking, you were destined to walk a few miles warmup prior to your race to get to the starting line. Enough samples of energy bars and gels were available to count as carbo loading. Everything from shoes to lighted hats to electrolyte drinks to insurance was offered.
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Like Disney, you had to go through the gift shop in order to leave the ride. Get 50 Off Events Using These Detroit Free Press Marathon Competitor Coupons (Active Today) Save up to 50 off on events with verified discount codes for popular brands similar to Detroit Free Press Marathon. The expo hall was spacious and set up so that once one had their race packet, they had to zig- zag, Ikea-like, through a maze of vendors to reach the exit. Packet pickup was offered on Friday and Saturday prior to the Sunday race, and as I was doing the international half, I was required to come in person to show ID. It was cool to come back and run this one.In the weeks and days prior to race day, emails were sent to explain every aspect of the race day, beginning with packet pickup and ending with the post race celebrations. I went to the finish line to get inspired. I was more excited for that than Boston, which is closer to home. "I was really excited to come run in Detroit. "I knew she had won before, so I was definitely familiar with that. "It helped just knowing that I was close behind the person (Poltavska) in first," Addison said. She also relished being able to run in downtown Detroit once again. Once I saw the finish, it was super exciting."Īmy Corby, the sister-in-law of men's winner Ryan Corby, finished 2:02 behind Addison to take second place, while Poltavska finished in third with a time of 2:54:45.Īddison thrived off being pushed by Corby and Poltavska. A couple of miles to go, it definitely got really challenging. I didn't know when it would start feeling hard. "Training has been going a lot better than I thought it would, so I was excited to come out and race.
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