The Half-Marathon
- By Doug Kurtis

The half marathon may be the perfect distance for runners wanting a taste of the marathon yet aren't quite ready to eat the whole pie. For many different reasons runners want to be part of a fall marathon experience. Now there is a new star on the road race circuit that can satisfy their desire; the Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Bank Half Marathon.

Training for the half marathon is much different. According to Owen Anderson, writer and editor for Running and Research News, "intensity demands of the half marathon are as close to the demands of the 10km as they are to the marathon."   He writes that you don't need to negotiate an 18 to 20 mile run before you attempt a half marathon. "Probably the longest run you really need for success is just 11 or 12 miles".

Runners and volunteers alike have been asking the Free Press marathon organizers to add this event. The distance has been popular as addition to a number of other marathons around the country.   The Las Vegas Marathon has had a half for years. The Rock and Roll and Disney Marathons include a half to build up event participation.

In Detroit, the Reebok two person relay was an attempt to satisfy the demand but it had a different appeal.   Runners wanting to run the relay will now team up with three to five people.  

Adding the half marathon has a lot of going for it.   For starters, runners won't need to find a partner as they did in the relay. They will still enjoy the international part of the course.   Half marathoners will run right along with the marathoners until they split at Music Hall. Marathoners will head out past the Hard Rock Café and Compuware while the half proceeds into Ford Field and crosses the finish banner at about the thirty yard line.

Last year an effort was made to include Eastern Market another one of Detroit's gems. But crossing Gratiot three times late in the race caused a number of traffic and residential concerns.   By looping the course back on itself at miles eleven and twelve, runners will get a better view of the Fox theatre and Comerica Park.   Spectators will now have the option of parking at the start and watching the marathoners in the middle and finish of their race. They can also witness the finish of Half and the St. John's Health Systems 5km.

Half marathoners will experience Corktown, Mexican Town, the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit Windsor Tunnel.   They will view the Detroit River from both the Detroit and Windsor sides. This year's start will be more runner friendly.   Moving it to Adams and John R will give runners a wider start and better access to the bathrooms and baggage drop off.   Marathoners will benefit in the second half of the course by running just a portion of the beautiful but quiet Belle Isle. The new course should be easier for the Detroit Police to control too.