Running the Detroit Marathon (10/18/2009) need advice... (mover, hotels, YMCA)

[Duluth07]

Hello! I am planning a 'tour' of Illinois and Michigan...I'm an avid marathoner but have rarely left Minnesota for a marathon. This fall I plan to run Chicago (10/4/09) and Detroit (the following Sunday, 10/18/09). Thing is, I am traveling on a budget, and I have never really been to either city before (this the exciting part as life in Duluth MN has been pretty dull lately and I just need some new things to look forward to). Anyways, this week will be during one of my vacations that I had planned to take, and after running Chicago it makes no sense to come all the way back up to Duluth and then have to head to Detroit less than a week later...so I am looking for some advice here (from those who know the area really well)...

Since I'm traveling alone and have roughed it at dorm-style living at the Y before, I don't care much about the accomodations besides making sure they are near a fitness center, near the start of the marathon somewhat, safe, convenience store, etc., so a 'hostel' might be in order - anyone know much about Windsor and would that be a safe place to hang out for a few days? The other thing is that I am doing this without a vehicle - I am 'Megabus'-ing it from Duluth - Chicago, then on to Detroit, and since Detroit has a direct flight to Duluth, I am looking forward to that nonstop flight back here after the marathon. For those who know the Detroit Marathon, can you give me any advice that the website might leave out? What to expect, what to bring/not bring, how difficult are the border crossings back and forth between Windsor and Detroit, etc...and most importantly, if anyone has knowledge of a 'hidden gem' of a place that I could stay for a few days on the cheap, please let me know!! I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Jon in Duluth
jonathanlund@me.com

[Wingnatic]

They have a real nice Y downtown , not sure if they have accomodations , they have a '' People Mover '' station (monorail) there that will take you around the downtown area .
YMCA

I'm not so sure about Windsor , Ontario Canada . In Michigan as of June we need a enhanced driver's license or a passport to return to the U.S.
I didn't see Minnesota on the list of States that make enhanced driver's licenses available .

[Wingnatic]

Here's the official site with lots of info . There's a phone number at the bottom . Good luck and may the wind be at your back

Home

[Duluth07]

I'm going to check it out right now. The great thing is that after the marathon, I see thre is a direct flight between Detroit and Duluth - which is PERFECT for after a marathon - it's like a 90 minute flight versus a 16 hour drive. Now I just have to run the marathon and find a place to stay and I'm all set!

I had been wondering because up here, with the border (International Falls, MN bridge to Fort Frances, Ontario) can be madness at time especially in the summer with all the people from the US side going to cottages in Canada. And International Falls only has a population of about 10,000 (Fort Frances is about 15,000) so I'm guessing that the Detroit/Windsor bridge is much more time consuming!

[Wingnatic]

Our bridge is probably the #1 major crossing in the U.S. . So much so another bridge may be built . They have a marathon Facebook site if your familiar with Facebook . Maybe you can get some good info there , you may have to register for a Facebook acct if you don't have one . Our airport is about 30 minutes outside of Detroit in case you weren't aware of that .
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Detroi...on/92461362878

You may want to read the FAQ's , especially crossing the border part.

FAQs

[yorkee]

If you already sign up, you probably know that you need border-crossing documentation in order to pick up your bib. So I assume you have proper documentation crossing the border to Windsor.

Last year, you have to bring your border-crossing documentation to Cobo Hall Friday to pick up your bib number and timing chips. And the bib number become your "passport" the racing day. They won't stop you to check your ID during the race. But the border officer will ensure everyone pass by has the timing chips and a bib number, or they will pull you out.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to cross border is by tunnel bus. The bus operate 6am to midnight. 20 mins during the rush hr, 1/2 during the non-rush hr, and 60 min during the very quiet hr. Windsor is not the nicest town but it is very safe, very walk-friendly if you stay in downtown core. Hotels are not expensive (unless you stay in casino). You can even plan to stay in Windsor until the marathon date. They have a special tunnel bus from the main station over to Detroit. They stop as close to the line as possible for all the runners.

[Duluth07]

yorkee (and everyone else) THANKS for the info - i may have a few more questions. I had looked into staying in Chicago for that week before the race in Detroit but it's just SO expensive. I would rather have the trip between Chicago and Detroit behind me so I can just relax before the race. We have a big chain of 24/7 fitness clubs here (Anytime Fitness & Snap Fitness) which I see is just opening in Michigan so I'm hoping by the end of October there will be a couple open there for me to try out during the week. As far as a place to stay, well, I'm workin' on it =)

[Wingnatic]

Unfortunately 2 Michigan runners and one runner from Ohio collapsed and died today during the marathon