Twenty five years ago nine men walked to the starting line of the Detroit Free Press International Marathon unknowingly beginning an annual ritual. Each year since, these men have quietly managed to be ready to conquer 26.2 miles in their hometown in front of many friends and family.

As they gathered together a few weeks ago for photos at the new finish area in Ford Field you could sense that something was special about being part of a very select few. This Sunday morning, these nine men will continue their streak of running all of Detroit/Windsor's marathons.

They graciously share their personal stories and marathon reflections with you.

Mark Bauman, Flint age 52: Detroit is one of several racing streaks. He has completed 26 Frankenmuth runs, 26 Crim 10 Mile races and 33 Boston Marathons, which makes his 25 Detroit Marathon streak the shortest. Two have some significance. In 1992 the Free Press Marathon was his 100^th marathon. He has now completed 138 marathons.  He can't recall the year but he remembers the only year he ran the marathon coming off of an injury and still completed the race in 4:10. It was a major accomplishment because he wasn't sure it would be possible. Keeping the streak alive is a real motivator.

His best time is 2:39. He thinks he did this in 1981 but it could have been 1979. At age 52 he finds it harder to remember.

Bauman credits consistent training and "not pushing myself all the time" for his ability to stay healthy year after year.  He often runs well over 2,000 miles a year and drinks plenty of water in training, as well as during the race. He usually does three to six marathons a year, Boston, Detroit and one new one.

Bauman has plenty to keep him busy. He also walks 300 plus miles a year, gardens and runs his own business.  Bauman' s Running Center has served runners in the Flint area since 1974. He sells running gear from his store and at expo booths around the state, along with his wife Joan, who usually runs with him two to four times a week. His two boys Jeff and Brent haven't taken up the sport.  Bauman can often be seen running with the Riverbend Striders at the downtown YMCA or helping coordinate one of the many local runs the club puts on.

Bob Davenport, Detroit, age 52: 1985 is his most memorable year "because everything just clicked and it was the one year I didn't suffer some sort of muscle cramping".  He started out the race at a lethargic pace but the adrenalin kicked in after he passed a struggling Ella Willis. He "smoked" the last mile in 6:15 and was elated as he blew past some 30 runners to complete the race in 3:07:24.  The are quite a few marathon memories he would like to forget, such as all the years that he did cramp up especially one year where he came to a standstill on the Belle Isle Bridge. Somehow all the cramps managed to disappear so he could finish the race.

He credits year round training, decent eating habits, his parents genetics and the ability to defer colds and injuries until just after the marathon for helping him stay with the Detroit Marathon streak. He has started and completed 26 marathons. The other two were Columbus and Port Huron. 

He tries to run during his lunch hour when possible but can be seen doing long runs after work on Lakeshore Drive in Grosse Point or taking in the cool breezes on the Strand of Belle Isle.

He had always hoped to qualify for the Boston Marathon but considers it the "Impossible Dream".  Still he has learned a lot about himself struggling to finish the marathon every year. He knows that "anything worthwhile is worth working hard for".  You can run a marathon on guts and experience but you'll pay the price for not dedicating your efforts to prepare.  Davenport finds that "marathoners tend to be rugged individualists and sometimes bizarre in their behaviors and attitudes but they are typically reliable and true long term friends."

Davenport is thirty pounds heavier than he weighed in 1978 and runs about half of the mileage he used to run. Still he plans to keep running the marathon as long as the Free Press keeps sponsoring it.  He only runs a few races a year including eight consecutive Great Lakes Relays. His running partners are also long time friends but he misses former marathon training partner Alexa Kraft who died of breast cancer several years ago.

Besides running, Davenport has worked for the City of Detroit's Planning and Development Department for the past thirty years. When not watching his two daughters play basketball he enjoys gardening and operating Lionel Trains.

Terry Elsey, Farmington Hills, 49: Is the youngest of the illustrious group. He finds that the memories of each Free Press Marathon all start to run together, although he misses the years when the last four or five miles were on the island and his wife, Joanne could meet him with a cold can of cola when he got on the island.

Twice on the Monday following the marathon he was put in a cast for torn Achilles which he knew was a problem before the event. One year he ran with a groin muscle pull but still managed to finish. 

Elsey has run over fifty marathons. Of those his best time was in the 1981 Free Press when he ran a 2:39:24. His best overall placing was 1995 when he finished 34^th. From running all these marathons he has learned not to run marathons, "apparently I haven't learned the lesson very well".

He suggests that marathoners do everything before you start thinking that you should, such as drinking water, slowing down your pace and knowing to relax.  Elsey now runs about half of the miles he use to but plans to keep running Detroit until he comes to his senses.

He usually runs alone which is surprising since his brother-in-law Ed Yee is one of the all 25 marathons group.  He will always remember running next to a young man in 1995 at a 6 minute pace and being asked why so many people knew him on the course. He replied, "I started running in the Free Press Marathon when you were in kindergarten."

Joe Haas, Detroit, 71: Actually began running the Detroit Marathon in 1972 when it was called the Motor City Marathon, making this his 31^st consecutive year.  It's the only marathon he runs. 

The marathon has become an annual reunion for Haas. Each year he manages to come across runners he has met in previous years.  Preparing for the marathon is almost as much fun as the race itself, he enjoys collecting deposit bottles on daily runs. He always trains alone on a track near his home on Detroit's east side or sometimes on Belle Isle. 

Haas gave up on running fast times long ago and has more humble goals like preventing himself from becoming a blimp.  When not running he also swims, jumps rope and does long distance cycling and canoeing to build up a good appetite.

Since retiring from Ford Motor Company's research and development center in 1994, Haas has been working as a pilot mechanic at Mustang Aeronautics. He also flies his own 1968 Piper Cherokee and gives lectures on WWII aircraft engines.

Volunteering takes up whatever time he has left.  Recently, Hass received the 29 gallon Red Cross pin for donating blood.  Add hundreds of hours at the Detroit Zoo and St. John's Hospital, ushering at Orchestra Hall, instructing sailing (he has two sailboats) and serving as president for an Aircraft Association chapter and the Detroit Police 9^th precinct community relations Association.  He and his wife Betty are also active in the church and enjoy ballroom dancing.

Ralph Judd, Southfield, age 64: Has run 65 marathons. This includes several trail marathons like Pikes Peak and one 100 mile trail marathon.  His misses the old Free Press Marathon Michigan Avenue route because it took in all his old running routes. He still loves coming out of the tunnel to enjoy all the cheers of his friends and acquaintances.  His fondest memories of running Detroit is the first time he broke three hours in 1980 (2:57) and winning his age group in 1991 and 2000.  He would like to forget the year he ran two hernias and the thoughts of pain.

Running 5-6 times a week and not running through injuries has kept Judd in good shape most of his long running career. A positive attitude and the support of the Downtown Runners have kept him motivated. He's come a long ways from running his first long run in street shoes and using old blue jeans as warm ups.

His wife Jill is an avid race walker and he finds time to be involved in the activities of his children and grandchildren.  Besides running he does his share of maintenance work around the house and enjoys photography and ballroom dancing.

John Klometz, Warren, 73: The oldest member of this distinguished group. Finds that, "the older I get the more special the marathons become".  Loves running through the tunnel as well as the Ambassador Bridge. Tiger Stadium and the Grosse Pointes were his favorite parts of the old courses.  He doesn't miss the Michigan Avenue routes.

Common sense and paying attention to his nutrition has helped him stay healthy for all the Freep Marathons. Not over-training, juicing vegetables and limited weight training have been beneficial too. 

Klometz has run 33 marathons and ran a best time of 2:59:08 in 1985.  He has done Boston several times but one of his favorites was finishing on the U. of Oregon's 50 yard line at the 1989 World Master's Championships.

He has found that personal discipline and hard work provide a great "return on investment" and he is experiencing those rewards in his 70's.  Over the years he has logged many miles in Edward Hines Drive. Klometz listens to his body, keeps his expectations to a reasonable level and observes the hard/easy days, method of training.

Training for the Freep has become automatic. In Hines, he runs with a group called "The Best of Intentions" because they seldom accomplish their goals. He's not bashful and loves meeting runners from all over. It also gives him the opportunity to share his commitment to spiritual health through Jesus Christ.

He retired from GM after 47 years and now works part time for a printing company when he's not playing golf or with his grandchildren.

Ram Krishnan, Canton, 56: Loves the entire ambiance of the event. Krishnan becomes so inspired by the singing of both national anthems, the cheering as you reenter the U.S. and the bands on the course that he often feels good enough to sprint to the finish line.  His wife Shashi was so excited watching him run that she ran a few marathons as well.

Some of his favorite moments at the marathon include: 1981 the day after his daughter Sheila was born. Running a 3:02:23 personal best in 1983. Qualifying for Boston in 1986. 1991 when his oldest son, Raj ran his first marathon with him at age 16.  Raj has since ran 14 marathons. 1995 when he ran is first marathon as a U.S. citizen.

He has stayed healthy throughout the past 25 years by running slowly, daily, drinking moderately and not pigging out.  His regimen has helped him complete 40 marathons and once winning an age group medal at Toledo's Glass City Marathon.

Running marathons has helped Krishnan to keep a positive attitude, develop humility and be committed to something. Through the marathon, he has raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis for the past 15 years. He also has been a member of the Toastmasters Club for the past 22 years.

Garry Watson, Rochester Hills, 59: Had no clue what the marathon would be like when he and a couple buddies spent six weeks getting ready for the first Free Press Marathon. They ran, walked, quit and restarted the race several times but finished in front of their wives who were some of the few spectators still there. Undaunted, they completed three more marathons before running the next Freep in 1979. From that point he was hooked and has since completed 75 marathons. Countless training partners, from young triathletes, to great storytellers, to students and teaching colleagues have helped him keep his mind of the pain and inspired him to stay faithful to the sport. Still others have been encouraged him to attend all the expos at marathons something he really loves to do. He says he's obsessive about buying golf putters, watches and running shoes. Boston in particular has been a great place to pick up the latest shoes and it's also home to his best and only marathon under 3 hours. He credits his friend Michael Light with helping him run a 2:56:20. His two daughters have been a loud personal cheering section in Detroit. The only other way they relate to running is with shopping �as in running to the store�. Watson's wife Mary, �has shown no mercy� in encouraging him to train harder, faster and smarter, no matter what the weather conditions dictate. She's also been there �to pick up the pieces, mend the spirit and restore the aching body� after some of his more grueling marathons. The Freep is only one of his streaks. With the exception of a break for surgery, Watson has run every day for the past 18 years. He is truly happy that he began marathoning in 1978 because it has enriched his life through great friends, interesting travel and physical well being. He does play golf too, with his twin brother Barry, hence Garry with two R's. His hope is to be around to celebrate his 50^th Free Press Marathon in 2027 at the age of 84. 

Ed Yee, Plymouth, 50: Was born and raised in Detroit. Yee went to U of D High and the University of Detroit. He ran his first 17 Freep Marathons while living in Chicago but has since moved back. Yee remembers his first Freep Marathon like it was yesterday. It was only his second marathon (he ran his first just a month earlier) and he improved his time by over forty minutes.  Plus, he loved the finish on Belle Isle where he spent many of childhood Sundays playing at the Scott Fountain.

Last year was his toughest Freep. He developed a blister on the bottom of his foot and finish in his slowest time ever.

Like his brother-in-law Terry Elsey, the 25 Freep Marathons tend to run together. He does remember running his best Detroit race in 1980 with a 3:06:37 and also 1988, when he finished one second behind Elsey. To date, he has completed 44 marathons and plans to keep going. He once did seven marathons in one year. Grandma's in Duluth is one of his favorites and he ran his personal best there in 2:58:17.

He finds using Vaseline and drinking fluids to be the biggest aids to performance. He doesn't race a lot and also takes at least one day off a week. Training with the Best of Intentions group in Hines Drive Saturday mornings has been a great source of support in preparing for the marathon. According to Yee: "the more you train before the marathon, the less you hurt afterward". And his fishing teaches him to be relaxed and patient.