Despite the always present wind, the weather was almost ideal for this year's Free Press/Mazda International Marathon held October 20th in downtown Detroit. One of the biggest draws for the runners of the Free Press Marathon is the hometown atmoshpere which is ever present at every turn on the course. Over 3000 runners, walkers and wheelers experienced that sensation as they took to the streets of Windsor, Ontario, Canada & downtown Detroit. With its start in Windsor, the Detroit Marathon is the only International Marathon in existence and boasts the only "Underwater Mile"... probably one of the most unique marathon courses around! One of the most difficult things to do in a marathon is to remain patient. Patience proved a virtue for both the Men's and Women's Marathon champions at this year's race. Mike Dudley of Morgantown, West Virginia used a laid back approach on his way to victory. Meanwhile, former Lincoln Park, Michigan resident Cindy Barber-Keeler ran a very even, very controlled race as she took home the '96 Women's Championship. Keeler also won this race in 1983. Aufdemberge fades late as Dudley takes '96 Men's Title... One of the most helpless feelings in marathoning is hitting that point in the race where your body just won't respond to what your mind wants to do. Paul Aufdemberge of Farmington Hills, this year's top Michigan finisher at the talent rich Crim 10 Mile Road Race, unfortunately experienced just that at this year's marathon. Aufdemberge, who held a commanding lead of over 2 minutes at the 20 mile mark, faded late and gave in to Morgantown, West Virginia's Mike Dudley. Dudley, the 1993 NJCAA Marathon Champion, and this year's Las Vegas Marathon Champ., continued on for first place in a time of 2:20:50. Aufdemberge faded to 4th place, but still a p.r. time of 2:24:29. For Washington state native Mike Dudley, a conservative race tactic proved effective as a possible victory became more likely as the race progressed. "It wasn't untill around 19 or 20 that I got rid of the guy from Poland (2nd place finisher Jozef Kazanecki) and I knew the gap. I kept hearing the gap getting closer and closer then I finally had him in view". That person in Dudley's view was Paul Aufdemberge, who by now was feeling the effects of having run most of the race by himself in the lead. Aufdemberge finally relinquished the lead just after the 23 mile mark. Dudley will take 3000 dollars back to Morgantown, along with a year's use of a brand new Mazda 626. Though only 26, Dudley has run 7 marathons, including a p.r. of 2:16:54. Second place and $2000 went to Jozef Kazanecki of Poland in a time of 2:21:42. Third place money of $1500 went to Don Johns of Lambertville, Michigan. Johns is a former winner of this event. Despite losing the lead late in the race, Paul Aufdemberge takes home $1000 and a personal best time of 2:24:29, and rounding out the top 5 was Keith Stopen of Farmington Hills. Stopen's time of 2:27:15 earned him $ 750. In the Master's competition, 49 year old Bob Schlau of Charleston, South Carolina held off local runner Tim Emmet of Redford with a time of 2:37:12. Emmet finished in 2:39:41. Only 22 seconds back of Emmet, was Livonia's Chuck Block whose time of 2:40:03 was good enough for 20th place overall. Keeler returns home for second marathon victory! Though now residing in Lake Worth, Florida, women's marthon winner Cindy Barber-Keeler always enjoys coming home to Michigan. Keeler ran a very patient and confident race, winnning Detroit for the second time. Her time this year was 2:43:36. Her first Detroit victory came back in 1983 when she ran 2:46. Never has she finished below 4th place at the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Keeler grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan and feels that the hometown feeling at the Detroit Marathon was a big factor in her 1996 victory. Keeler looked very confident and very comfortable the entire race. After trading off the lead early in the race with another former Michigan resident, Kim Bruce, Keeler finally took the lead right around the 10 mile mark, deciding in her mind that this was the time to take charge. "I thought I could just sit behind her and wait and see what happens at the end or I can run how I feel... and I felt o.k. so I felt that I should go and I did." Bruce, who was beginning to falter early, hung on tough for the second half of the race finishing in third place with a time of 2:52:59. Bruce was passed late by Peru, Indiana's Karlene Herrell, who finished in 2:51:41. Herrell took home $ 2000. For third place, Bruce received $ 1500. In fourth place overall was Troy resident and this year's top Michigan women's finisher at Crim, Kathy Kubicki. Kubicki, who is having one her best year's of racing ever, finished in 2:53:26. An Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier with a personal best of 2:49, Kubicki took home 4th place prize money of $ 1000. Kubicki was happy with her race and was equally happy for winner Cindy Keeler. "I can't be dissapointed", she remarked after the race, despite falling short of her 2:45 goal. As for Keeler, Kubicki had nothing but praise. "Cindy ran great. She's a tough runner & rarely runs bad". For the Master's Women, first overall went to 44 year old Marina Jones of California in a time of 2:56:19, good enough for 6th place overall. Patricia Stevenson of London, Ontario took home second place in 2:57:34. "I love running Detroit" was Kathy Kubicki's remark after this year's race. That feeling was shared by many on this day. Although not one of the top finishers, Julie Nellis of Troy was also pleased with her performance. Nellis, a recent graduate of Michigan State University, was running her first marathon ever. Nellis and running partner Matt Ludwa of Royal Oak, also a first time marathoner finished in 3:38:15. "Very, very happy" was Nellis's post race remark after a grueling, but very rewarding hometown experience at the 1996 Detroit/Mazda International Marathon. Race Walk & Wheelchair Results coming soon!! Back to top of page Back to RunMichigan.com! Front Page

Men's winner, Mike Dudley 1996 Marathon Overall Winners... Overall Man Mike Dudley, Morgantown, WV - 2:20:50 Overall Woman Cindy Barber-Keeler, Lake Worth, FL - 2:43:36 Overall Masters Man Robert Schlau, Charleston, SC - 2:37:12 Overall Masters Woman Marina Jones, Rancho Santa Marita, CA - 2:56:19 Overall Michigan Man Don Johns, Lambertville - 2:23:57 Overall Michigan Woman Kathy Kubicki, Troy - 2:53:26 Women's Champion Cindy Barber-Keeler

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