2004 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon
- By Doug Kurtis

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, which will be run Oct. 24, has a revised course and a new event.

The course ranks among the best in the country, according to polls of Marathon and Beyond magazine. This year, runners should like the design changes, if final approval is secured. A wider area at the start on Adams Street, just outside Ford Field, will make it easier to get to bathrooms and drop off baggage.

The first major course change occurs as runners exit the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. They will loop behind Joe Louis Arena, back though Corktown, then past the Fox Theatre and Detroit Opera House. By creating the loop, a half-marathon has been added, and more spectators will see the runners without driving around the course. The two-person relay was eliminated.

Belle Isle always has been a serene place for many runners to look within themselves for inspiration to finish. But more runners wanted to hear cheering crowds to pick them up. Now only half of Belle Isle will be used before runners head to the Indian Village block parties.

Unfortunately, Eastern Market had to be eliminated from the closing miles. Greektown, another of downtown's jewels, will remain on the route before runners cross the dramatic finish to the 26-mile, 365-yard race at Ford Field.

Another key part of the race is the run across the Ambassador Bridge, added in 1999. It offers a wonderful view of the Detroit and Windsor shorelines and enables the start and finish lines to be set in Detroit. Runners no longer must be bused to Windsor several hours before the start.

Adding the new bike path in Windsor several years ago has made the race spectacular, too. It offers the best view of Detroit's skyline. A look in both directions gives runners a panorama of outdoors art sculpture. And just before they come off the path, runners can enjoy newly installed waterfall terraces.

New this year will be timing mats at the entrance and exit of the tunnel. The mats will record the runners' times under the Detroit River, and it will appear on their finish certificates.

A number of factors contributed to the date selection. Last year, the race was run the first Sunday in October. But the Tigers' season finale is scheduled for Oct. 3 at Comerica Park, which ruled out that weekend this year. The Lions play Oct. 17 at Ford Field, nixing another possible date, and the marathon didn't want to compete with the Focus: HOPE Walk on Oct. 10. It annually draws more than 8,000 people.

Oct. 24 also offers the best chance for cool weather. The temperature on this date typically is about 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, the marathon runners will begin 10 minutes earlier to help them reach the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel before it reopens for traffic.