The Greenies are back! First timers to the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon will be easy to spot on race day with their green numbers. Many of them have stories to tell. Here are a few:

Suzanne Jones, Ann Arbor, 42

"I'm running for both of my parents who fighting terminal cancer. My Mom was diagnosed 9 months after my Dad. Having worked in Oncology research for the last 9 years, I knew they were in for the fight of their lives. My hope is that my dad will be alive to see me complete my first marathon."

"I have been running for 25 years, but only started marathon training with a group called "Two Dogs Running" in Ann Arbor. I find running country roads with my golden retriever named Shadow to be meditative and healing."

Ken Wright, Plymouth, 37

"I thought I had my best chance of completing a marathon after I began participating in a fitness program at work (BASF) this year and lost 25 pounds. I chose Detroit because of my long family history here."  Wright volunteered in the last two Detroit marathons and ran the 5km.  He has been training with his wife Sandra on a modified 4 months to a 4 hour marathon plan. She has been his coach, cheerleader and running partner.  "I would not be doing this without her help."

Ken Kirkey, Windsor, 36

Surfed the web to find a fall marathon local to Windsor/Detroit. Doesn't consider himself a runner but wanted a big challenge.  In the past year, he would run six mile runs along the Windsor waterfront to help bleed off some stress. His wife, otherwise known around the house as "Gatorade Girl", initially was skeptical that he would keep up the training but two months into it she was fully on board.  "Nothing makes me smile more than seeing her on our front step with a jug of magic Gatorade after I've finished a run.

Chris Penn, San Francisco, 39

Has been a long distance runner since Jr. High school but never ran farther than ten miles.  After running the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco this Spring, he decided to try a half marathon. " I feel like finishing a marathon will prove that I can do anything physically if I set my mind to it.  Its more than just what your body can do, its about what you can accomplish in your mind if you overcome your fears."

"I picked Detroit because I lived here for 2 years before moving back to my home of San Francisco.  It will be great to finish in front of my closest friends in Detroit."

Cindy Drouillard, Amherstburg, 31

Running a Marathon has been a life dream of mine. Every time I see pictures or read articles of someone crossing that finish line... I get goose bumps!"  Drouillard uses running to prove to herself and others that she's a strong woman. "Seeing the faces of my three boys faces at the finish line will be worth more to me that anything!" 

With only one year of running, she can't wait to hear her name called out at finish line.  Her race will be in honor of her Grandmother who has Diabetes. "For each person that says I can't do it, the more it makes me want to get across that finish line.  I am on the Midnight shift working full time and usually run in the morning when I find running clears my mind, takes the stress away, and makes me a better Mom.

Martha Carpenter Pollock, Bloomfield Hills, 51

"I grew up in a household with a mom who thought it was unhealthy to sweat. She told me that a person had so many breaths and exercising may use them up!"  At age 37 and the mother of three sons, I decided to get physical by downhill skiing, rock climbing and a little running.  When I ran a little voice always went off in my head saying, "Don't go too far from home you could die and be dead by the side of the road!" 

"Now, while training for the marathon I find I am just warming up around mile 6 and into my groove.  At 51 years old there is nothing to wait for. My husband, a seasoned marathoner, has been my biggest supporter especially during long runs. He protects me from the wild animals that I always imagine are going to bite my ankles. Since June, I have been running on trails in northern Michigan, where I live most of the summer."

Alex Koblischke, Troy, 33

An engineer from Germany who moved here with his family last December. He quit smoking at two years ago and gained almost 22 lbs.  Then he started running, beginning with his first race in Stuttgart last year. Since moving to the states he wanted to find a hobby to do with his family and found many activities at LifeTime Fitness. Old colleges started training for the London marathon and he decided on Detroit's Marathon through the Internet. The race date falls on his wife's birthday but she has been supportive. So have his coworkers at Lear who have watched him lose 20 lbs.

Tom Lesondak, Livonia, 58,

Wanted to get in shape and control his blood pressure. He began running 25 years ago and enjoyed running the Mackinac Island races in the 80's. Each year, the month before his birthday he tries to run the number of miles that coincide with his age. This year, he discovered Running Fit's training program for the marathon. So far he has made it through the 20 mile long run, something he never thought possible.

Jason Ramer, Kalamazoo, 26

Has been a weight lifter the past 10 years but decided to run a 5km race three years ago against his friend Alan Schneider to prove he had the stamina. He's been hooked since and now wants to run the marathon with all of his buddies. At 5'9" and 195lbs he looks more like a football player but thinks anyone has the capability of attempting a marathon if they believe in themselves.