This was my second marathon, and I really enjoyed the experience. The course was terrific, especially the bridge, the stretch through Windsor, Belle Isle, and Indian Village. I loved the finish at Ford field, even with the steep descent through the tunnel and the steps up to the food and massage tables. It would have been nice to have a clearer place to meet family and friends, and I was a little disappointed at the lack of attention given to us slower runners (ran out of GU, few directions at the end, etc.) Overall though, I really enjoyed this race. They do really need more porta potties at the start, however. If they keep the course the same, I will definitely run this race again next year!

I had a very enjoyable, memorable experience running my first marathon at the Detroit 2002 event. The course was excellent -- the bridge to Canada, the tunnel back, Belle Isle, Indian Village, with the incredible finish at Ford Field. Please keep the course the same for 2003. Also, volunteers were out in numbers -- Gatorade and water all around the course. And even bunches of enthusiastic fans. I will be back to run in 2003!

(my only constructive criticism -- definitely needed more porta-johns at the start)

I ran my first marathon here, and it was fantastic!!! The route over the Ambassador Bridge, along the paved trail in Windsor, through the Windsor Tunnel, and around Belle Isle was very unique and entertaining. The finish inside Ford Field was a thrill! This event made my first marathon one of the highlights of my running career.

This was my second time running Detroit. The course was a thrill. The 5% grade of the Ambassador bridge isn't a big deal at the 3 mile mark. On my walk back to my hotel, there must have been close to a dozen motorists and passers-by who congratulated me on my finish. Mr. Kurtis did a fantastic job in choosing the route we ran.

This was my first Marathon of many I hope. I can't believe any race could be better organized and supported by the public. The spectators and volunteer workers were so much behind me that it was like they are family. The course was picturesque and easy to follow. I throughly enjoyed the international flair. The view from Windsor was a sight to behold. The course was flat and the weather couldn't have been better. What a great experience! I reached my goal and couldn't feel better about myself, Thanks Detroit

What a wonderful race!! A great showcase for Detroit. Please keep this course as it has many positives. The bridge and tunnel are unique and Belle Isle is a very special running spot.
Highlights:
*Great course, international!
*Finish on Ford Field - WONDERFUL!
*Picture on big screen
*Picture perfect day
*Great crowd and police support
Areas of Concern:
*PortaJohns at start - not enough!
*No GU at mile 15, ran out!!
*No goodie bags for later runners, did not even know there were BAGS-only thing left was yogurt and fruit.
*Music between mile 20 and 21 packed up at 4 hours into race. Hello, there are still runners on the course who really need you there. Let the other people pick YOU up, don't you leave to pick them up. That was real Poor thinking and planning.
*Potholes
*Walkers/relay 3 and 4 abreast, share the road a little
*Local TV sponsor did not show race

Why not START the race inside Comerica Park?? There are lots of bathrooms, family/friends can watch from the stands. You only have to open a section like in Ford Field, how unique!
This was a wonderful race and the numbers should increase.
Thank you.

I was fully expecting a dreary, dark and dull marathon but was treated to a beautiful day and a course which did its best to show Detroit in a shining light.

The expo at the RenCen was tremendous with great deals on clothes and shoes. Registration was very fast and orderly. Thumbs up for the long hours and enthusiastic retailers.

The start at Comerica/Ford Field was great, lots of space, very orderly and a fairly quick start. The first three miles toured downtown Detroit, where you can see the city's efforts to improve the area. Then, up and over the Ambassador bridge was spectacular. It might have been the great weather, but both Windsor and Detroit looked good from the top of the bridge. The trip through Windsor Canada was fun, very safe on the bike path. Belle Island was decent to run around, but the roads were full of potholes. The last six miles were good, the people at the aide stations were very enthusiastic.

The course needed MANY more Porta-Potty's, especially at the start and the beginning of the race. While it was cool to finish on Ford Field, I hope they make it on the street next year. Not many people cheering you on at the finishline.

As for the relays, I thought it was great of the race committee to allow all relay team members to meet up and finish together. I saw quite a few teams meeting up outside Ford Field and running to the finish as a team.

If you want a good race, which is well organized and plenty of aide stations, this is your race. Just make sure you take care of your 'business' before you leave the hotel!!!!!

This years marathon was great. If it at all posible they need to try to keep this course. I have done this race four times over the last six years and the course has changed every year. This years was the best yet. It's great to have all the relayers running along with the rest of us. It just makes it nicer to have more people out enjoying a beautiful day. Lack of crowd support on the island is tough and too few port-a-johns at the start made it hard on some people to get to the start on time.

After last year, I was NOT planning to run the 2002 Freep. When the course was announced, I changed my mind - well worth the climb on the bridge and the tunnel.

Highs
- Canadian side: most beautiful view. Detroit skyline is nice from a distance.
- View from the Ambassador Bridge.
- Belle Isle - few spectators, but an real gem. Trees, river views.
- Great organization. Volunteers and aid stations well laid out and supplied.
- Good fan support
- Great maps and info for spectators.
- First timer green bibs: I've never worn one, but it really adds to the cameraderie.
- Start at Tiger Stadium and finish at Ford Field
- Easy street parking near start and finish

Lows:
- Potholes galore. Saw someone trip on Belle Isle, another rolled an ankle in Indian Village.
- Diesel fumes from trucks on the bridge
- The last 100 yards of the tunnel. ( people fumes ?)
- RIDICULOUS PORTAPOTTY LINES!!!!!! The worst I've seen in a long time.
- Parking garages gouging ($6-$10 parking at 6 am on a Sunday?!?!)
- The super steep downhill into the finish at Ford Field.
- Steps back up to the food / water

Hey, what's up with the Stars and stripes ribbon on the medal? What about our Canadian friends, besides, with a 25th anniversary, shouldn't the rbbon have been silver!?!?!?

If they keep the course, I'll be tempted to do it instead of Chicago next year.
Y

Although Downtown Detroit is a dump, the marathon was excellent. Well organized, great course and well supported by the people of Detroit. Highlights were, crossing the bridge back into Windsor and returning through the Tunnel as well as the seven mile trip around Belle Island. Finishing in Ford Field was Spectacular.