This October will be the 25^th Anniversary of the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank International Marathon. This is my second in a series of articles regarding the history of the event.

The first four years witness a huge leap in participation in the marathon. After it's initial 1942 runners in 1978, numbers climbed by 94% to 3784 in 1979. It continued to climb to it all time peak in 1981 when 4953 runners entered the marathon. This growth was reflected in marathons all across the country and the world. Today some of the biggest marathons now restrict the size of their fields in part because it's all volunteers can handle. However, the number and size of marathons still continues to grow. 

1979: Course records were smashed in year two.  14-time All-American Gordon Minty, a former Eastern Michigan University track star, ran the second fastest marathon in Michigan history. His 2:15:42 defeated defending champion Bob McOmber and another Michigan standout Duane Spitz.  On the women's side Karen Blackford of Ann Arbor improved the course record by over 11 minutes. Her 2:44:29 42 blew the doors off defending champ Erma Tranter by more than 6 minutes. Other interesting notes: Blackford's future husband Scott Hubbard finished 23^rd overall. Eight men qualified for the 1980 Olympic Trials and the Olympics didn't have a marathon for women yet. Four wheelers started the race.  A state record was set in the 50 and over division. Jim Forshee nipped Max Nemazi right at the finish line in a time of 2:47:24.  2,890 runners completed the race making it the largest race ever in Michigan.

1980: Minty switched to the 10km race and Greg Meyer chose Detroit for his first attempt at a marathon. When Minty handed Greg his first place wooden tonque depressor at the finish line a new American record for a first timer was set. Meyer's 2:13:07 is still the second fastest time ever run in Michigan. Debby Froehlich, a Michigan State student was 233^rd overall, winning in 2:49:17. The event was also the first time more than 4,000 runners had competed a Michigan race.

1981: Mike McGuire continued a string of great races in Michigan that year. He ran much of the marathon alone and against the wind to beat Doug Kurtis, who finished second for the second year in a row. Before completely the race in 2:15:47, McGuire stopped 40 yards from the finish line to throw up. The crowd at the Belle Isle Casino urged him to compose himself and cross the finish line. A much more relaxed Maureen Griffith of Toronto caught Ella Willis, who had also run the 10km the day before, just three miles from the finish. A one point Willis had almost a mile lead on Griffith but just couldn't hold on. One standout in the pack was Larry Rothenberg who carried American and Canadian flags during the entire race.

Coming Up: April 13, 2002, 15^th Annual Pietro's Run Fasta Eat Pasta 5km, Grand Rapids, 8:00 am Women's start, 9:00 am Men's start, CONTACT: Jon Manion (616) 776-7600 x3048 or web site: www.runfastaeatpasta.com