Date set for Marathon
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Runners and walkers have already begun signing up for the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon. The date has been set for Oct. 23, and now runners can concentrate on their training, running specialty stores can focus their in-training programs, and organizers can kick off promotion of the events.

Several key ingredients are putting Detroit and Windsor on the radar as one of North America's best marathons.

Runners and spectators that have experienced the marathon during the past few years have provided great word-of-mouth.

The addition of the international half-marathon last year gave many runners the opportunity to be part of the race without the magnitude of training required for the marquee event. The doors now will be wide open for half-marathoners to gain entry. The field was limited last year. Organizers are confident they can handle a super-sizing of participation.

This is one of the few marathons in the nation that gives special recognition to first-time marathoners. The greenies wear green race bibs on the course.

No other course in the United States crosses an international border twice. The spectacular sunrise on the Ambassador Bridge was the No. 1 highlight from runner comments in 2004.

Detroit's image problem doesn't carry over to the marathon. Organizers pay attention to runners' concerns. Last year, the lonely stretch around Belle Isle was cut. Its panoramas are now experienced in a condensed version. When participation swelled in 2004, the start line got congested. Now it will be split in two, offering a separate start for marathoners from the other events.

Detroit is blessed with some diverse neighborhoods, which the marathon showcases. With the start at Comerica Park, finish at Ford Field and halfway mark near Campus Martius, the course is shaped almost like a bow tie.

Celebrities have started taking on the challenge of running marathons. Last year, Gov. Jennifer Granholm slapped hands with numerous runners on the course as First Gentleman Dan Mulhern fought his way to the finish line.

Detroit might not take a bite out of the New York Marathon, but it's overdue to take a chunk out of Chicago. The Chicago race is almost becoming too big for its britches. It's great to be part of a spectacle, but I would pit the richness of Detroit's course and superb volunteer organization against Chicago's marathon. First-timers and runners looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon should think Motor City, not Windy City.

To sign up, go to www.freep.com/marathon .

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226