Martian Marathon
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

This Saturday the Martian Marathon will have a whole new look. Organizers have developed a new course, relocated the expo and added a shorter race, the Meteor 10km.

The marathon, half marathon and 10km will start from the east end of Edward Hines Drive in Dearborn Heights. Doing so will eliminate some of the problems the race had last year crossing major streets in Northville, Plymouth and Livonia. All three courses traverse out and back along the beautiful parkway starting from Outer Drive to as far as Newburgh Road.

All the Martian courses are USATF certified, traffic free, lightly rolling with fewer hills than the old course. The race heads northwest into the prevailing wind, which offers a greater chance for a tailwind finish. The course follows the Rouge River upstream, gaining slight elevation on the way out while losing it on the way back.

Some runners have been concerned about the park flooding on the new course.    After heavy rains the water rarely covers both lanes of the road. It would likely take several days of hard rain to force the race to its back up plan.

Aid stations will be set up every two miles with Absopure water and Ultima. Two GU stops are planned for the half marathon and four in the full marathon.

The twenty mile training run is still part of the program. Bib numbers are now required and a separate finish area has been created.

Slow marathoners and walkers will have the opportunity to start the race early. The time limit for the marathon is six hours but athletes who expect to finish in four and a half hours or slower can start at 7:30 am by checking in just before the start.

Prize money will be awarded for the first time but only in the new Meteor 10km. $3,200 will be distributed to the top five overall men and women plus the top three master finishers.   Several of Michigan's best runners have registered.   Former college All-American Boaz Cheboiyo (EMU), Kyle Baker (MSU) and Ian Forsyth (U of M) are just a few.

The Expo will run from 1pm to 8pm this Friday at the Henry Ford College Dearborn Heights Center located on Ann Arbor Trail just south of Warren Avenue. Packet picket will be available at the expo and before the race on Saturday.   Race times are 8:30 am for the marathon and half marathon, 9 am for the 10 km.

Au Bon Pain is catering the carbo-loading dinner on Friday at 7 pm at the expo location. Race director, Randy Step will be there sharing race day tips and other running info. Tickets are $15 each.

Parking is available at the Henry Ford Center which is just a few blocks from the start and finish area. Car pooling is being encouraged. Two or more people are required per car at the HF Center otherwise there is alternative parking available.

For more information go to the web site at www.martianmaraton.com , call Running Fit 248 380-3338 or email [email protected] .

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