OT: Detroit Marathon

Submitted by jonesie022 on
Quick off topic question for the board. Any runners out there? Ran my first full marathon last year in Chicago and looking to hit another major one in 2015. Stumbled upon the Detroit Marathon the same weekend UM hosts Sparty and thinking it's too good to be true. Thinking of making a weekend of it. Anyone run it before? How was the experience? A PR course? Where to stay? How difficult/long is the process to get the necessary documents to cross into Canada? Traveling 5 hours to complete the double should I choose to try it. Thanks and go blue!

LSAClassOf2000

April 3rd, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^

The Detroit Free Press marathon notes the requirements for events which cross borders here - LINK

Basically, passport or enhanced driver's license and you're more than likely good to go unless you've got a ton of stuff in tow. 

nickoko

April 3rd, 2015 at 7:52 PM ^

I have run the Detroit marathon twice, and the half a few other times, am signed up to run the full this year too (live just outside of Detroit). It is a pretty flat course, but with the bridge and tunnel, people tell me that it isn't as flat as Chicago (never ran that). So I would guess that given the same weather and same fitness, that you would do slightly better in Chicago. Of course, Detroit being a little later in the year usually gives better and more consistent weather.

The documents required are either a passport, or an enhanced license if you are a Michigan resident. Not sure exactly what the wait is for a passport now.

As for a place to stay, I would recommend the Book Cadillac for the race since it is pretty near the start/finish line. Not sure if you would want a place closer to Ann arbor because of the game?

I would be a little nervous trying to PR after a day at the game, especially if tailgating, etc. But worth a try anyway if you are here anyway and want to go for a run Sunday morning.

Grasslakedoc

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^

I did it as my first and it was really nice. good support and spirit stations, though they thin in the second half.  

3 hills, known as 2 bridges (Ambassador and Belle Isle) and 1 tunnel.  None of them tough, and the Ambassador and tunnel are before Mile 10.  

Only marathon I know of done in 2 countries and you get an Underwater Mile split.

You show the passport at the Expo to get the bib.  Then on the run you just raise your arms to show the bib when you cross borders.

PeterKlima

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:07 PM ^

I have run it a couple times including last year. I have never brought my passport on race day. The chances of getting stopped are very minimal although they may profile others or something. I took the Amtrack to and from it when I lived in Chicago. If you have to work on Monday, stretching and moving around the train beats being in a car. Of course, it is more like a 6.5 hour trip by train.

In reply to by PeterKlima

nickoko

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:24 PM ^

During the race I haven't run with anything either, but it sounds like the OP doesn't have a passport our anything now, and you need that to pick up your number.

wolverinestuckinEL

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:29 PM ^

We've only ever stayed at the RenCen, it is close and reasonable if you book through the detroit marathon link.  The course is really nice, although most will tell you the back half is a little boring (it is) and sparsely populated by fans (true as well).  Mostly flat course although the bridge will take its toll later in the race if you don't check your pace.  You will have evil thoughts towards Belle isle forever - bridge incline mile 19 going on and 23 going off and will run into a head wind the entire time.  

I've run 5 differennt courses and Detroit on 4 occasions, I think it's a fairly hard course.  Running my first Boston in 2 weeks so I'm interested to see how it stacks up in comparison.  

I was almost stopped heading into Canada by border police because my bib was concealed.  I carry my enhanced ID for piece of mind by it probably isn't necessary although if you are stopped you are screwed.  I've never seen anyone get stopped unless their bib is covered.  Ambassodor bridge sunrise and coming out of the tunnel into America is unlike anything I've experienced in a race and for the cost I recommend.

casmooth

April 4th, 2015 at 9:23 AM ^

I've run both Detroit (3x) and Bayshore (4x). Detroit is a nice run the first time you do it, mainly for the international aspect. Running over the bridge is a unique experience... It is still dark out so you see the city lights and there is a stiff breeze. There are not many spectators for much of the race; however, the course takes you throughout the city and small neighborhoods which can be interesting.

JTGoBlue

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:42 PM ^

I did my first half in Detroit last year. It is really a great event, very well organized. Running over the bridge as the sun came up over the river was the best moment for me, at about 4 miles in.




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icegoalie1

April 3rd, 2015 at 8:55 PM ^

Detroit is a fun half course but the Belle Isle loop at mile 19 is pretty uninspiring with no crowd support...nothing like Chicago. I have done quite a few around the country and Detroit is not going to come close to any like New York, Boston, Vegas or Chicago for course or crowd support but if you are in the area anyway it is a fine race and very well organized.

If you have an enhanced license or passport that is all you need to register. Good luck!

g_reaper3

April 3rd, 2015 at 9:08 PM ^

I have done a fair amount of races and I think it is good. I have run it twice. It's not NY or Chicago but there is a decent amount of fan support. Belle Isle does seem to be windy as another poster indicated.

sikety

April 3rd, 2015 at 9:17 PM ^

The Grand Rapids Marathon is the same day and they have all you can drink New Holland beer at the end. Have ran the Detroit half several times and I must say I enjoyed the Grand Rapids experience more.

Doc Brown

April 3rd, 2015 at 9:26 PM ^

I ran the full back in 2008. It was a great course. You get the only hills (Ambassador Bridge and coming out of the tunnel) out of the way in the first half. The year I ran the race started in the 20's and finished in the 30's. If you layer with running tights and thermal wear, it was not that bad. I ended up ditching my hats and gloves in Windsor. I ended up paying for it on Belle Isle, which tends to be more windy. I ran a 3:12 in the race for my first, attempting to BQ.

As far as documents, all I needed was my passport when I picked up my packet.




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543Church

April 3rd, 2015 at 9:41 PM ^

I've run the full marathon twice and plan to do it again this year.  I'll echo what almost everybody has said so far regarding going over the bridge and Belle Isle being the roughest part due to it being at The Wall, the high winds, and you lose the crowd out there.  

However, if you are looking for a hotel downtown they all seem to be sold out right now, which is way earlier than they were the last two years.  I tried everything close and only the RenCen had rooms and that was only after going through AAA.

maizenblue87

April 3rd, 2015 at 11:03 PM ^

It's a nice marathon. I've run 15 marathons including three in Detroit. The course is flat for a potential PR, except the bridge to Windsor and tunnel back. Like to stay at the Renaissance Center Marriott, which is a short walk from the start/finish.

bronxblue

April 3rd, 2015 at 11:37 PM ^

It's a good race. Ran it some years back. Beyond the bridge and Belle Isle, theres a stretch when you are about 2 miles out along the river that can be rough if it is windy. But overall it's a decent course for PRs and a manageable crowd.

DetroitBlue

April 4th, 2015 at 12:35 AM ^

The Detroit marathon wasn't first and last. I enjoyed the actual run, especially running over the bridge, but the time required for training was just too much for me




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UM96-09

April 4th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^

I've run the Detroit full 4 or 5 times, including my first PR in 10 years last fall. It is a nice course at the perfect time of year. I agree with those who said it is lonely near the end. It is an easy drive in the morning from A2 if that's where you stay, although get there early because once they close the course you can't drive within a couple of miles of the start.

Another piece of advice: it is warm in the tunnel so you'll be tempted to shed some clothing. Don't drop anything until you come out of the tunnel, though, or you may have a very chilly second half ahead of you.

Good luck!

UM96-09

April 4th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^

I've run the Detroit full 4 or 5 times, including my first PR in 10 years last fall. It is a nice course at the perfect time of year. I agree with those who said it is lonely near the end. It is an easy drive in the morning from A2 if that's where you stay, although get there early because once they close the course you can't drive within a couple of miles of the start.

Another piece of advice: it is warm in the tunnel so you'll be tempted to shed some clothing. Don't drop anything until you come out of the tunnel, though, or you may have a very chilly second half ahead of you.

Good luck!

Point Blanke

April 4th, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^

Ran the Detroit Marathon last year. For me, the Chicago Marathon delivers the best overall experience and sets a pretty high standard. The Detroit race is a bit more low-key, but is still worth checking out. As was mentioned by others, the best things about the Detroit course are front-loaded. Crossing over the Ambassador bridge into Canada (~mile 3) was awesome, and you couldn't beat the view. The course takes you along the river and around Windsor a bit before you hit the tunnel back to Detroit (~mile 8), making for a fun first half. As far as ID, I put my passport (which was required for registration and packet pick-up) in a ziploc bag and taped it to the back of my bib just in case. I didn't notice anyone getting stopped, but things were pretty tight around the boarder crossings.

It does drop off from there, though. The field really thins out as the 1/2 marathoners split off, and the general lack of spectators makes for some very quiet stretches across the back-end. I also agree with the other runners who said that the Belle Isle section was a bit uninspiring. Most of the course is flat, though, so the miles do tend to go by fairly quickly. One of the things that kind of annoyed me was the fact that a relay was being run concurrently, which was very noticeable towards the end of the race. As you're starting to hit the wall, you have runners who are just starting off their short leg - many of them flying past you as you are fighting to keep pace. While the added motivation of passing them a mile or so later was helpful, their enthusiasm was not shared by many that late in the game.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend checking the Detroit Marathon out at least once - even if you decide just to do the International 1/2 Marathon (first half). The two country aspect was very unique and it made for a fun homecoming.