The 25^th Anniversary addition of the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon proved to be a huge success.  Billed as giving the ordinary person and extraordinary experience. It held true for all of the random runners, volunteers and spectators I interviewed after the race. Here are their reflections.

JoAnne McCall, Brighton: Has enjoyed being a medical volunteer for the past 14 marathons. While she liked the Belle Isle and Tiger Stadium medical facility areas, this year's location on the concourse of Ford Field and immediately past the finish line offered the best logistics and warmest location for the 4,000 plus runners. The crew she worked with treated about 70 runners mostly for trip and falls or cramping. There was less hypothermia than past years probably due to the perfect temperatures. She said it seemed like the two person relay runners needed the most post race attention. "Runners walking up the steps after the finish to the concourse was a blessing, since it's more difficult to walk down them with sore calves and hamstrings", said McCall

Vic Barkowski, Northville, 53: Completed his 20^th Freep Marathon in 3:05. A dentist in Dearborn Heights, who has run over 40 marathons, Barkowski said he was happy to be back after missing last year. He was pleasantly surprised by the loop through Atwater and River Place plus the sculpture park in Windsor that offered a fantastic skyline view of Detroit.  �The City truly showed us its best face for the marathon and I loved all the support groups,� quipped the very fresh looking Barkowski.

Mike and Kristie Jaeger, Portage: Detroit was Kristie's first marathon last year. Mike ran his third Freep in a row despite spraining an ankle in training. Kristie was Mike's personal cheering section this year. She loved the many wonderful people she met at several course locations. Mike liked the return to an international route and the numerous water stations.

The Boston Girls (a five person women's relay team from Windsor): Shattered the event record for their division with a time of 3:10 and change. At the finish line they stood out among the crowd in their matching pink tops and dark shorts. They credit the idea to hold pink balloons at the exchange points with improving their handoffs. The group initially formed at a pre natal aerobics class and then trained with Windsor's Running Factory.

G.P. Pearlberg, Brielle, Jersey Shore, 39: spoke at the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday afternoon. It was his first time visiting Detroit. He loved the undulating terrain of the course and the variety every few miles. He likened the finish in Ford Field to the Olympic games. He was impressed with the water stops every single mile and said that he hasn't seen another marathon as well stocked with water and Gatorade. Perlberg thought the green number concept for first timers was unique and inspiring.

Fleet Feet (5 person relay team out of Detroit and Chicago): combined to finish in 3 hours flat which was their best from the past three years. They credit the perfect weather and using a chip rather than a baton at the exchanges for some of their improvement. Some of the group members have completed the whole marathon but are equally inspired by running as a team. "Watching teams sweep their chips across the timing mats at the exchange points and finish line was something new"  said captain Mike Swisher.

Mark Kloppenburg, Windsor, 22: One of the greenies, competed his first marathon in 3:08:29 without a hitch. He had no problems at all and felt even better than expected as he stood in line for a photo at the finish area.

Pierre and Jacques Caplette, Montreal. The twin 76 year olds held a giant maple leaf flag together through the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel. Jacques left his brother and flag behind to compete his 202nd marathon. His appropriately announced this feat with bright gold numbers on each side of his shoes. His 5:29 was over 40 minutes ahead of Pierre but it didn't seem to matter at the finish line. They both felt special to finish in the new stadium for their 11^th Detroit/Windsor Marathon.

Marty Denonville, Windsor: An elementary gym teacher and cross country coach. He taught mostly first timers to prepare for the marathon through Windsor's Running Factory store. Getting runners to focus on short term goals got them to the big dance last Sunday. He found a lot of similarities in coaching young runners and adults. Both want to be recognized for their efforts and take pride in their accomplishments." At the finish line all of their pains were forgotten.  You could see it in the look on their faces, magnified by the view on the Jumbotron and the proud way the medals hung around their necks. It was an overwhelming feeling to coach people that have reached one of their dreams and can now call themselves a marathoner", declared Denonville.