The Freep International 13.1 course has always impressed me.
Mile 1 – The excitement of the start. “Lose Yourself” (Eminem) always plays plays on the PA system at some point. “If you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you capture it, or just let it slip?” The gun goes off. Nice run down Fort Street, and you see the Ambassador Bridge before you know it.

Mile 2 – Heading up the ramp onto the bridge, going through customs. It’s a hill, but it’s fun! (And I don’t love hills)

Mile 3-4 – Ambassador bridge into Canada! Watch the sunrise on the bridge. Run through Canadian customs. Canadian customs agents dancing. If you don’t like bridges or heights, you might want to reconsider this race. Also, watch out for runners who stop, and I mean STOP, in the middle of the bridge to take pictures.

Mile 5 – Exiting the bridge/customs area, running towards the Windsor river front.

Mile 6 – Windsor river walk. Beautiful. Fun to see the Windsor view if you’re used to running the Detroit River Walk.

Mile 7 – Windsor River Walk and some turns to get you to the Windsor tunnel.

Mile 8 – The Windsor tunnel! Some people don’t love confined spaces. I’ve always loved the tunnel because it’s different. Yes, you get hot. My husband’s contacts fogged up last year. He’s also noticed that the temperature change from the hot tunnel back into the cold, outside air can hit your stomach. Yes, it can get congested. Yes, there’s a hill out of the tunnel. But it’s an underwater mile! The only underwater mile in North American distance racing!

Mile 9-10 – You get to run on the Lodge for a bit. Lafayette. Kind of fun to see spectators on the overpasses. A good place to suggest spectators go to cheer.

Miles 11-12 – Mexican Village and Cork Town! Sometimes I get a little bored around mile 12, but I think it’s because I’m actually feeling “it.” Bourbon and bacon “aid station” at Mile 12 over the last two years!

Mile 13 – You can see Campus Martius in the distance as you run down Michigan Ave. If you’re running 13.1, you know Griswold and the finish line are close. Just watch out for holes in the brick road.

.1 – Two blocks to the finish line on Fort Street! Kick it in as you round Griswold and give it all you’ve got. Pass that runner in front of you. Leave it all on the course. Fall over that finish line. Rock that wheel chair (or just the heat blanket and the banana). Savor what you just did. Then go online on New Years Eve and sign up to do it all over again because wow, that rocked.