These seven runners (left to right: Lorraine, John I., John G., Monika, Regina, Joan and Patsy) from Bradenton invaded Detroit this weekend to run the Detroit Free Press International Full and Half marathon on Sunday. My bib is a different color since I did the half. The rest of these running beasts did the full.

Before the run, we did a little site seeing at the Motown Museum and Greenfield Village on Saturday.

We started downtown in the dark at 7, experienced dawn running over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada, and finished in the rain back on Fort Street. The young lady in the lower center picture wearing the hooded red jacket is Amber; all the way from Switzerland, she took care of us in many ways this weekend. What runner doesn’t need their own physical therapist?

After the run, we treated ourselves to some goodies at Astoria.

We all thoroughly enjoyed this trip and experience in a city that is rebuilding. Thanks to these establishments for giving us a picture of Detroit that left many saying, “I would definitely come back.”

• Motown Museum
• Greenfield Village
• Doubletree
• Best Western
• HopCat
• Astoria Pastry Shop
• Angelina Italian Bistro
• Detroit Beer Co (best waitress ever, Keisha)

As for reviewing the race, all of us enjoyed the course. Rain fell four hours after the start, so some got more than one shower for the day. Despite a few spills on the course, some met race goals, one set some unique personal records, several had negative splits, a few BQs were achieved, and one was second in age group-good job, Joan.

This trip is another testament why the running community is amazing. Love being a part of it.