My son has been wanting to explore Belle Isle (and grab a new long sleeve shirt ;-) so this race was an easy pitch! Thankfully the temperature was pretty mild as December days go, or the wind whipping around the island would not have been pleasant. I understand the wind was strong enough to slow down even the fast finishers, though that wasn't our team--we were happy to be exploring Detroit and watching the sun set over the Ren Cen. Couldn't beat the scenery!

My son loved the athletic fabric of the race shirt, as did I--though a smaller size for women would have been nice. That's the only possible ding for this race as parking was close, announcements were clear, and food was plentiful! I understand there was even a "bar" set up on the second floor of the Belle Isle Casino, courtesy of Atwater Brewing--a popular Detroit brewery I've enjoyed on previous visits to town.

The event includes a fun run, complete with trophies for the kiddos. It was fun to learn during the announcements that the race started with some parents rounding up kids in Grosse Pointe to run during the holidays, and 47 years later it has grown into quite the event. In fact, it's now the longest continuously-held running event in Michigan!

A special bonus was getting to meet fellow #BibRavePro, Jeph Maags. He can give you the review of what things looked like from the front of the pack--you'd never know it was his first 5k! Way to go Jeph!