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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: 402 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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B. B. from Ann Arbor, MI
(10/21/2008)
"What a Great Race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow!!! I've run a few other marathons (Chicago, Marine Corps, Flying Pig, Austin, Vancouver) and Detroit was as good as any. I have been hesitant to do Detroit in the past; let's face it: the city doesn't have the greatest reputation. Who knew there were so many nice places to run? The bridge to Canada just before sunrise, two countries in one race fantastic medal, and great crowds made for a great experience. My only complaint is a small, easily corrected one: more/better food at the finish. Great race; highly recommend it to all. | |
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L. M. from Michigan
(10/21/2008)
"Great course, great weather, great organization" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The expo was great, with lots of vendors. However, I would have preferred packet pick up near the entrance as opposed to way in the back. Also the "goody bag" had no goodies, just recycled fliers. The last time I ran this course was in 2004. They changed the course this year due to construction. It was still a pretty flat and fast course. I'm glad they shortened the miles on Belle Isle where there are virtually no supporters. Running over the Ambassador Bridge is a great experience; you have the beautiful sunset to keep your mind off of the steep hill as you go across. Coming back to Detroit from the tunnel in Ontario is a great experience because there are a tremendous amount of supporters waiting for you as you re-enter the US. I was pleased that the fluid stations were well equipped and the volunteers were great. I will definitely be doing the race next year. | |
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J. M. from Detroit
(10/21/2008)
"Great course but odd planning" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Detroit Marathon is a great course, with spectacular views, an international route, two border crossings, and scenery that is always changing. I can only imagine that it's an amazing feat to coordinate this type of international race that uses two border crossings. I did, however, find the race starting to be curious. The half-marathon walkers started 5 minutes before the half-marathon runners. The logic was to have them pass each other on the wider roads before runner/walkers hit the narrowed bridge (due to construction). But if the half runners started before the half walkers, they'd never have to pass in the first place. Seems like bad planning to me. I hope the bridge construction will be over next year and this won't be an issue. As a rule, though, I don't think slower paced runner/walkers should ever start before faster paced runner/walkers. That's just common sense. That said, it was a great time and most walkers stayed to the side and I didn't have much issue while running. I would do it all again and encourage others to give this race a try. | |
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Robert Cope from Livonia, NY
(10/21/2008)
"Excellent race!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This race is fantastic! The weather for this year was picture perfect! The course is very nice and the actual race organization is extremely good. There are plenty of fluid stops that supply water and Gatorade and they are well manned. There are a lot of spectators in both the U.S. and Canada. I especially liked the crowd at the end of the tunnel into the U.S. The expo was very nice but the "goody" bag was uninspiring. They ran out of the larger shirt sizes, forcing many runners to go online to request one to be shipped at a later date. It's difficult to understand what could have gone wrong, especially since this was the 31st year in what otherwise is a well organized event. Overall, this is a great race and one I highly recommend. | |
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T. G. from Saint Joseph, MI
(10/20/2008)
"Should have been much better!!!!!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 It was great running into Canada and back. The bridge was very steep, and there were a lot of small turns and a narrow course near border. Walkers were in the way, walking on the course side by side. I can never understand why they don't make them start in the rear and not get in everybody's way. Fan support great on an early Sunday morning. No food or gel at aid stations and I was in the middle of the pack. Finish line was terrible. Got stuck in a line to get a food bag and could not get out; you're like cattle going to slaughter. I have run in 4 other marathons: Chicago, Marine Corp, Houston and Disney, and this finish line was by far the worst. Expo had a lot of booths and things for sale. However, they ran out of shirts and I had to give my bib number. They are supposed to send me one. How do run out of shirts? That was a first. Goody bag was a JOKE. Nothing in it but a bunch of fliers to other races. Normally there is a gel pack, Vaseline or ChapStick-like stuff in it. This time? Nothing. This race should be much better. I won't do it again, and except for running into Canada and back, I would not recommend this race to anybody. | |
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C. W. from Ontario, Canada
(10/20/2008)
"I wouldn't recommend it." (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is my 5th race, and I have to say that overall I wasn't completely satisfied. The organization the morning of the race was unimpressive. Race officials attempted to guide the 5K, half and full marathoners unsuccessfully to their corrals. The bag check was VERY difficult to find and there was no room to get to them. The streets and sidewalks were overly congested for any sense of order or understanding. Anxiety already rides high the morning of a race, and the pre-race organization is enough for me to say I will never be back. The course itself was very winding with streets with poor footing. I will say that the race volunteers were wonderful, and there was plenty of water stops, but not enough volunteers to man them all with many runners having to stop and wait for the water to be poured. Lastly, the course was measured long - according to my GPS and several others - by almost half a mile. That adds on precious minutes for those of us seeking a PB. | |
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D. H. from Southfield, MI
(10/20/2008)
"International Marathon is Great" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run 3 marathons this year and this one is on par with Air Force Marathon in Fairborn, OH. Not much nutrition on this course like others - 1 gel stop, no fruit, etc.. - but plenty hydration stations. Fan support is very good, entertainment is great, and course is relatively flat. I got a PR for the 4th consecutive marathon, which is always good. The 3:50 pacer was good. The medal is 2nd only to the Air Force Marathon. Definitely a must-do marathon. | |
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T. M. from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
(10/20/2008)
"I'll Be Back" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon and far from my last. The organization of this race alone made my 9-hour drive to get there worthwhile. The course was well laid out and very well marked. Fluid stations were plentiful, well stocked and staffed by very enthusiastic volunteers. Try as I might, I can't think of anything about this race that I didn't like; even the weather was spot on. As I said above, I'll be back again for this one. It's a "Do Not Miss." | |
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Robert Poulin from Jackson, MI
(10/20/2008)
"They really messed it up this year" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Detroit International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I ran the half and had a horrible experience: 1. I arrived at the expo Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. to find out they were out of large shirts, and I didn't get one. Saturday morning and you're out of shirts? It's not like I showed up at the last minute. I was registered months ahead of time. I should have had a shirt RESERVED for me! 2. The day of the race I was slowed to a walking pace around 10 times by the five-mile mark. 3. On the bridge, I was forced to run at least 3 minutes slower than my desired pace for about 1.5 miles. I payed $60 to enter a "race!" Its unacceptable that I was forced to jog slowly for that long. No one can make up that lost time. 4. At the end, the exit corrals were so poorly arranged, that we waited for at least 20 minutes to get through the Whole Foods tents. I payed for this race, and didn't even get my shirt; I should NOT be forced to wait because they want to subject me to their advertsing. | |
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J. D. from Sylvania, OH
(10/20/2008)
"Nice medium-sized marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Detroit International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've done Detroit 4 times now. For me, the pluses are that because I live in nearby Toledo, I can sleep in my own bed and avoid a hotel charge and participate in a decent-sized marathon with a good course and decent spectator support. Other pluses include the spectacular view from the top of the Ambassador Bridge joining US and Canada. The sun is just rising as we "hit the bridge." Going through Canada and then back to US soil via the Detroit/Windsor tunnel is nice, too. And you get a huge finisher's medal. Another plus is that it's not too big. Chicago for me is just too big. Negatives - so much concrete, but there are few larger 'thons that don't have this issue. Also, neither the amenities nor the finish line food are not great. This year's goody bag at the packet pickup had not a single free item, only ads for other races. I think Detroit needs to consider how other nearby marathons are including giveaways to runners like Akron or Cincinnati does. I will return to Detroit several times. |
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