Half Marathons
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

As a debut event last year, the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Half Marathon climbed to the American top 40 for total finishers.   Without a registration cap this year, the numbers might double from last year's 2,278.

Tremendous growth in half marathons is coming from their additions to full marathon events, with some exceptions. Last week's Kentucky Derby half is a reversal of example.   It began as a half marathon thirty-two years ago and teamed up with a marathon in 2002.   Almost 6000 runners and walkers finished the half while just 562 runners completed the marathon. It's a scenic yet challenging course that includes a hilly stretch through Iroquois Park and passes by Churchill Downs racecourse.

Only two other half marathons are larger and they both stand-alone without a marathon. Virginia Beach is home to one of the newest Rock and Roll events.   Last year almost 13,000 finished the race. Amazingly 99% of the starting field completed the distance.    Like the Houston Marathon, Virginia Beach takes advantage of its stunning new convention center. Elite Racing, who organizes the event, has been using a portion of center for its weekend festival and expo. The entire facility, which is not expected to be completed until 2007, includes a 150,000 square-foot exhibition hall and over 2,000 parking spaces.   Like other Rock and Roll theme events, Virginia Beach offers runners a full weekend package that includes music festival concerts and a finish line beach party.   Plus the course includes 14 entertainment stages and 16 cheering squads.

The kingpin of U.S. half marathons is the Indy Mini Marathon.   The half derives star power from its association with the 500 Festival, a month long schedule of events and pageantry leading up to the Indianapolis 500 at the Motor Speedway (which is part of the course).  

Downtown Indianapolis is a clean, fun and an interesting place to visit. The health and fitness expo in the Indiana Convention Center is within a few blocks of wonderful hotels, a variety of unique restaurants, a shopping mall and a number of museums.   The start and finish areas are also walking distance from the hotels making the out of town runners experience relatively stress free.

More than 30,000 runners are signed up for this sold out event. As a participant myself, I've not seen another race with more entertainment on its course.   Well over 100 performers keep you on a high energy level throughout the entire route.   By the time you lose the sound of one band another is kicking out the jams.

West-side neighborhoods (and potential spectators) tune into the event before it happens. The 500 Festival, in coordination with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, supports efforts on one of the largest neighborhood beautification projects in the city.   Approximately 200 volunteers take to the streets clearing trash, brush, and other items found along the Mini-Marathon course.  

Detroit like Disney World and Grandma's marathons, takes advantage of operations already in place for the main event. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Sponsors get more exposure, organizer efforts are rewarded by increased participation while spectators become part of something that has significance.

Detroit and Windsor also offers a visual spectacle few races can match. So it makes sense that many runners would gravitate to an event that has all the excitement of a full marathon.   If you want to find other half marathons and become part of a web based competition try www.Half2Run.com .

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