The Detroit Marathon and Half Marathons

Like many major marathons the Detroit Marathon offers runner s a half marathon event, but what makes Detroit unique is that they offer two half marathons! There is the iconic International Half Marathon that features running over the Ambassador Bridge, into Canada, and returns to the US via an underwater mile tunnel. The race route is predominately the first half of the overall marathon route. Then there is the US Only Half Marathon (organizers need to eliminate the word “only” from this title) that entails most of the second half of the marathon route but as the name implies, remains entirely within the US.

Last year’s Detroit Marathon and Half Marathon consisted of routes entirely within the US due to covid and international border restrictions. This was a blessing in disguise as it forced race organizers to redesign the race routes. As a result, areas of Detroit never seen before by many runners became a part of the course. This included neighborhoods along the westerly side of Mid-town, the Wayne State Campus, Boston/Edison, Motown Museum, Masonic Temple, and streets in between. For me running this new route last year was very personal as it passed through and along many streets and neighborhoods I remember first experiencing early in my childhood. There were also many memories of places I often visited during my college years at the University of Detroit. The Cultural Center, The Traffic Jam, and simply Second and Third Avenues in the Midtown area.

When race organizers realized the popularity of running through these wonderful areas of Detroit, they found a way to incorporate them into this year’s race and presented runners with an entirely redesigned race route. While the new route remained an international race and runners would run over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada at sunrise. Then return to the US via an underwater mile long tunnel. Most of the balance of the route was new. This included still new areas of Mid-Town such as the historic Woodbridge neighborhood. I told myself I had run over the bridge and thru the tunnel enough times (12th during my career), I wanted to experience these other parts of Detroit especially the Dequindre Cut. I also saw it as a unique opportunity to feel like I was running an entirely new race too, albeit a race that was at the same time very familiar to me. So, I switched my entry from the International Half Marathon to the US Half Marathon and was anxiously looking forward to this exciting opportunity!

Besides running a mostly entirely different route than the International Half, the US Half offers other opportunities that frankly I believe many international runners may not have considered. One of the most significant advantages is the starting time. The International Half runners are mixed with the full Marathon runners at the start and they each start in the waning minutes of the morning darkness at 7:00AM. It’s not only still dark at this time of the morning but the runners need to watch their steps along parts of the roads that are uneven and potted. The early morning time also requires even local runners to stay at a downtown hotel or wake up as early as 4:00AM (as I did in the past) to be able to arrive downtown before too many streets were closed etc. Historically, this early start time could be very cold and windy creating dilemmas for runners in determining how to dress for 26 or 13 plus miles.

The US Half on the other hand starts later in the morning at 10:30 AM. I saw this as a benefit that allowed me to get a full night’s sleep prior to running 13.1 miles. I also figured the temperatures should be at least 10 or more degrees warmer. Then while still having to maneuver around a large number (1700+/-) of other runners, I would not have to contend with even many more runners who were running the full marathon. So, I saw many advantages to running the US Half Marathon. Oh yes, one more potential advantage, I stood a better chance of winning my age group (AG) too! Certainly, some of my normal competition would be running the International Half Marathon. It would be a once in a life type of opportunity to win an AG victory in a major half marathon, not only for the reasons note above but also because as I am in still in my first year of the 70-74 AG I could still outrun the those a bit older than me.

Race Morning

So as planned, I was able to get a full night’s sleep and woke up at my normal morning time. I was able to enjoy my coffee, usual pre-run meal, and even help the dog with his normal morning “routines” too! But before I knew it, it was time to dress to race and head downtown. When I arrived downtown it was unusual to see so many runners already well into their marathon route or nearing the end of their half marathon. All that remained now was some waiting time, final pre-race nourishments, and of course that final trip to the porta-john. I was also able to check and track the progress of some of my running friends and coaching clients who were on the course.

Then the magic moment finally arrived, time to head to the starting line. The temps had warmed by mid-morning, the sun was shining bright, but there was a slight cool breeze. I would normally run in my singlet but with temps in the 40’s combined with the cool constant breeze, I decided to wear a short sleeve tech shirt under my singlet. A decision I came to regret midway into the half marathon.

The Early Miles

The starting line was the same starting line as the full and International Half Marathon. When those races started there was plenty of excitement, music, crowds, all combining pump runners an adrenaline rush. For the US Half Marathon, the setting was more like a normal race start. Runners were excited and anxious to start but, the crowd was less, one could barely hear the announcer, and there was no music. In fact, the announcer led an improvised version of the national anthem prior to the start. Then finally, the START!

While I felt my pace was easy it was in fact at 8:08 for the first mile which is way too fast for me if I want to figuratively survive a half marathon. Within a few moments I had settled to an 8:35+/- pace. Still just a bit faster than I had planned but since I felt good and the conditions were great, I decided to see how long I could hold this steady pace. As it turned out I was pretty consistent for the next few miles.

I was enjoying the view running north along Second Ave. and seeing the Fisher Building straight ahead but in the distance. I couldn’t recall if we actually were to run that far north. I was relieved when we made a left turn and headed to Third Ave.

I continued to feel strong and as the meandering route headed into and through the historic Woodbridge neighborhood of Detroit, I was especially enjoying the beautiful tree lined streets and fantastic homes! In all my years in and around Detroit I don’t believe I ever actually visited this gem within the city!

The Middle Miles

My run through Woodbridge was soon over and it was onto the next series of turns along the route. I lost count of how many times we crossed Trumble. The old Tiger (aka Briggs) Stadium was at the corner of Michigan and Trumble, hence the other name for the Tiger’s ballpark, “The Corner”, and Tiger fans everywhere knew just where you meant. Well, so much for Tiger trivia, time to keep my mind on the race, a half marathon is still not an easy distance to race. Because of the winding path along side streets, major streets, and over expressways it was difficult to mentally place where we were in the route. I knew of all the places but was unsure of what exactly laid ahead. This was actually a good thing for there were many times we turned a corner and I knew instantly where we were. This was especially true running down Second Ave. as we turned onto Canfield there was my old hang out, The Traffic Jam! No time to reminisce, I needed to hold my pace and keep plugging along. Anther turn onto Cass Ave. and there I was running along a street on the Wayne State University Campus where I had driven as during my college days at the University of Detroit.

Before I knew it we had reached Woodward Ave. Detroit’s “Main Street”. We weren’t on Woodward for very long, but long enough to catch a glimpse of The Fox Theater and the lights at Comerica Park in the distance. I remembered back to my first marathons in 1992 and 93 when the later miles of the course back then ran up to the Fox and turned back to the finish line at the foot of Woodward at Jefferson.

The Final Miles

As we turned off our brief visit along Woodward, we hit the 7-mile mark. I had removed my hat a couple of miles earlier but still was carrying my secret formula of support drink up until now. I took my final sip and tossed the bottle into a waiting trash container. I was ready to take on the last half of this half marathon!

I knew at some point in this race I would regret wearing a short sleeve tech shirt under my singlet, and this was that point. I could begin to feel myself get overheated a bit. Somewhat strange to feel overheated when the bystanders along the course are wearing warm coats with fluffy hats but the sun was doing it’s job to warm us runners. Nothing I could do about it now except raise my shirts above my waistline when running into the cool breeze.

The route continued to turn and meaner. I am a “west sider” so now running along the streets East of Woodward everything appeared new to me. Even Eastern Market! I knew where I was relative to the route and was beginning to look forward to running along the Dequindre Cut. But was that turn onto Dequindre ever going to come? My pace had begun to slow a bit. I was still running stronger than I had anticipated so I pushed a bit to maintain my pace. I was holding to about an 8:45 +/- pace, still very respectable.

Running North along Brush Street there were several new residential building developments under construction and nearly completed with construction. New developments especially in this part of Detroit should be welcomed good news, except the architect in me cringed at the site of these metal monstrosities! I can readily tell when buildings in today’s world are designed more by computers and less to the creative braincells of a talented architect. Actually, this got my adrenaline up a bit and kept me going! Then FINALLY came the turn to the Dequindre Cut!

As I turned I was pleasantly greeted by two runners from our running club. It’s always great to be cheered on by people you know along any race route and I especially needed cheer here! Thanks Danielle and Matt for volunteering.

The Dequindre Cut is a newer greenway along the easterly side of Detroit’s core. The old railroad line the served Detroit’s industrial for most of the twentieth century was converted to a pedestrian and cycling pathway in 2016. Most of the cut (or old tracks) lay below natural grade this separation creates the sense of this pathway being its own urban park. Despite my struggle to hold a steady pace (which I wasn’t) I enjoyed the long pathway. Especially about mid-point when an extremely spirited group of supporters from the Run 313 group cheered every runner.

The Final Push

To exit the pathway runners needed to negotiate a modest hill. No probs, I have run much greater hills many times before and before I knew it I was on the last but oh so long stretch of the route. From studying the race maps I knew this out and back route along Lafayette Ave. would be the last stretch. What I did not anticipate was it’s seemingly overly long length! The “out” portion included the Patriot Mile. This section honored veterans and supported patriots. There were flags and supporters along the boulevard. There was also a huge American flag flying above the road in the far distance. I figured it had to be the turn-around point of this out and back part of the course. So imagine my grief when I finally reached this flag only to realize the route still headed out! Dang, time to suck it up and get this race over with!

I did make the turn, to head towards the finish line downtown, and found myself running with the back of the pack runners from the full marathon. I found myself starting to assume the slower pace of these runners realized what was happening to my pace. I had slowed to running over a 9 minute pace and knew I could do better. I had to start to dodge some of the marathoners. Another turn, off Lafayette onto St. Aubin, then to Fort Street for the final kick. The crowd of supporters started to line along Fort St. As I ran along this final mile my memories flowed of the many times I visited here in the past. Many meetings for the Michigan Architectural Foundation, visits to Detroit City Hall for meetings, and of course former Detroit Marathons too. I felt strong, was running fast again and before I knew it there was the final turn and the huge FINISH sign overhead in the street. Time to strategically pass a final runner or two so the finish line photographers could catch me, raise my arms in celebration and crossed the line with the clock reading about 1 hour 55 minutes.

A few minutes slower than my fantasy time I had imagined earlier in the race but still very happy and proud to be able to run today.

The Aftermath

Late last March I took a clumsy tumble and broke my foot. I was not able to run or train at all until June. Most of the summer was focused on simply getting back to my race shape. It takes time to regain one’s endurance and what speed I may possess. I was doing well all summer however, in the final weeks prior to this half marathon my hamstrings were giving me some grief and had doubts about my ability to finish the entire 13.1 miles without angering my hamstrings to the point they might force me to a walk. There were a few points later in the race they reminded me of their discontent but nothing serious.

Thank you for taking the time to read my report I hope it may have inspired you to run a race or even run one of the half marathons or even the full marathon in Detroit next year!

If you are seeking any type of assistance with your running, whether you are new to running or an experienced veteran runner, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your running and how I may be able to help you seek your goal(s) in the near future. In the meantime, Run Happy and I look forward to seeing your comments to my story.

Coach Lee