Marathon runners pounding the streets of Detroit

Darren a. Nichols / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Thousands of novice and serious runners took to Detroit streets to race in temperatures hovering around 30 degrees this morning for the 32nd annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon.

For some participants, the race is an annual affair; for others, it will be the first time they attempt to run the 26.2-mile course. Racers also can participate in relays, half-marathons and a 5K run/walk.

"I did my best half-marathon ever," said Dave Moran, 46, of Ann Arbor, who is running in his second Detroit marathon. He's been a runner for 35 years. "(The course) was incredibly scenic, flat and the weather is perfect. It was so nice over the river."

Nearly 18,000 runners took off in droves from the starting line in downtown Detroit. Organizers say entries for the marathon, half-marathon and relay races were sold out by Wednesday, a first for the event. This year, the race took runners past filming of the remake of the "Red Dawn" movie in downtown Detroit.

"In spite of our troubled economy, it is a testament to the extraordinary power behind training to run a marathon that we continue to break registration records," race director Pat Ball said in a release.

Many of the runners who participated in the various events of the race were like Brenda Gayle, who just wanted to finish. Gayle celebrated her 40th birthday with a run (or a brisk walk) through the 5K course during the chilly Sunday morning temperatures.

"I just wanted to do something to accomplish," said Gayle, who stayed within her 45-minute goal for the race. "It was great and fun (because) of the people (and) the energy. It was really nice. I'd definitely do it again next year."

Others, such as Matthew Behrensmeyer, 26, of Albion, set goals for their times. He wanted to break 18 minutes in the 5K race.

"I finished first and I was really happy about that," Behrensmeyer said. "The crowd is really the best part because they are yelling and screaming the entire way. The crowd was really awesome."

For the first time, runners also also required to have a passport or enhanced driver's license to go through Canada for the journey across the international border and back again. Runners were to show the identification when registering for the Homeland Security mandate.

Still, it wasn't a hindrance for most participants, who enjoyed the international flavor of the Detroit marathon.

"Running the Ambassador bridge is great. It's unique," said Mindy Fernando, 31 of Franklin, who was running her first half-marathon. She ran the full course twice nearly 10 years ago. "... the tunnel when you're in it, it's not the most fun, but it's pretty darn cool when you think about running under water."

For the first time, runners were released in waves of about 1,000 people to start the marathon. The number of people participating has become so large that this way of starting the race is needed, organizers said.

dnichols@detnews.com (313) 222-2359