2nd Ann Arbor Marathon hits streets Sunday: City officials confident good strategy in place
Between those two points, runners will make their way through a 26.2-mile course that promises to shut down portions of several city streets throughout the morning.
That means getting around town might be more of a challenge than usual, but city officials say they're hopeful a good plan is in place this year.
John Hieftje
"They've worked hard to remedy some of the problems and we're going to have a chance to see how it works," he said. "I hope they have great weather and a great run."
Last year's 26.2-mile trek shut down streets throughout the city on Father's Day, catching many residents and business owners off guard and disrupting traffic.
Organizers of the race, a group called Champions for Charity, have planned the route differently this year to minimize disruptions. They've been working to get the word out about the street closures and detours and are hoping no one is surprised this time.
"I think they've done a reasonably good job planning for it, but there will be inconveniences," said City Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward. "Anyone who needs to travel through town on Sunday really needs to look at the map of the street closings and get a sense of their options."
Organizers say the good news is some of the major arteries across town will be open all morning: Washtenaw Avenue, Huron Street, Stadium Boulevard and Plymouth Road.
But at different times, portions of Liberty Street, Geddes, westbound East Huron River Drive, southbound Huron Parkway, westbound Fuller Road and Fuller Court, southbound State Street and northbound Main Street will be affected.
Complete details of the street closures and instructions for how to get around Ann Arbor on marathon morning can be found on the Ann Arbor Marathon website.
The marathon begins at 6:30 a.m., with a half marathon and 5K at 7:30 a.m., and a 1.2-mile kids run at 8:30 a.m.
Runners from 45 states and seven countries are expected to visit Ann Arbor to run the marathon events. Among them is Jerry Johncock, who plans to celebrate his 85th birthday by running his 150th marathon. He's running to help raise funds for Big Hearts for Seniors.
The marathon is raising funds for a number of local charities. A portion of the entry fees go to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.
Mike Highfield, founder of race sponsor Champions for Charity, told AnnArbor.com in April in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings he potentially would be talking with local police about heightening police presence during the upcoming race.
He said already there were a number of security measures in place, including private overnight guards, but he was interested in seeing what more could be done.
Hieftje said he couldn't comment on the Ann Arbor Police Department's strategy, but he's confident there will be an appropriate level of police presence on Sunday.
Roughly 3,300 people participated in last year's Ann Arbor Marathon. City officials noted that's much smaller than the 20,000 participants and half-million spectators the Boston Marathon draws.
Marathon runners make their way from the start line on Main Street next to Michigan Stadium during the Ann Arbor Marathon last year.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
"Our police officers are extremely well-trained and highly educated and they will be, as a matter of course, doing everything that needs to be done," Hieftje said.
"I would hope there wouldn't be anybody who would be dissuaded by what happened in Boston," he added. "This is a much lower-profile event, and I think as Americans we need to keep doing what we do and not allow our lifestyles to be affected by terrorism."
City Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward, has been training for the marathon and said she looks forward to Sunday's race.
"I'm excited to get it done and to do it," she said. "I'm excited there is a marathon in Ann Arbor because I've been to other cities and run marathons and I've seen what it does for a community."
Petersen also said she hopes what happened in Boston doesn't prevent anyone from wanting to run Sunday's marathon. She said her main concern is the weather.
"I'm just keeping an eye on the weather," she said. "June 9 is a little late for a marathon. I'm worried about the heat, obviously, but right now it looks like it will start out in the high 50s."
The Ann Arbor City Council took action in March to approve a series of street closures for the marathon. But after Champions for Charity had the course certified by USA Track and Field, it was determined the course was seven-tenths of a mile short for a true marathon.
The additional closing of one lane of eastbound Plymouth Road between Huron Parkway and Bishop was approved by the City Council in May to make up for the discrepancy.
Organizers said the new route for this year's marathon has been designed to minimize the impact on traffic and pedestrians, as well as bus services. The most significant change is the complete removal of Washtenaw Avenue from the course.
Hundreds of runners make their way down Main Street during the first-ever Ann Arbor Marathon last June.
With the bridges closed last year, the course went down State Street to Briarwood Mall, and then up South Main Street to Ann Arbor-Saline Road, and through the Stadium/Main intersection. Runners still will go down to Briarwood Mall, but they'll just go out and back on State Street this time.
"It's unfortunate there were a lot of challenges to last year's marathon with regard to notification of street closures on Father's Day on a Sunday morning," Petersen said. "But I think the street closings are for good reason here, and the word is out."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
tosviol8or
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:54 a.m.
I thought Hieftje would plan the course so it was a two-mile loop through downtown. The participants would do thirteen laps and the finish line would be in an underground parking ramp.
A2newbie
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.
I feel the entitled Michigan fan base should not be dictating street closures on certain Saturday's in fall. Good luck runners, enjoy the race!!
Taylor
Tue, Jun 11, 2013 : 6:26 p.m.
Yaaay! You spoke my mind!
JRW
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
Why are loud speakers and loud music needed for a marathon? And why do they need to be playing music at all for a marathon at any volume? I agree with other posters that the entitled running community should not be dictating road and street closures for these marathons that inconvenience everyone else. There is NO reason why a route cannot be out in the country for most of the 26 miles. Start and end this race in a less populated area at the edge of town and make a 26 mile loop along country roads. Ditch the music and loud speakers. And pick up the cups!
JRA
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
Gosh, you must get REALLY irritated during the art fair, 4 days of road closures! :)
Lightnin' Bug
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
Blame that on your local government.
Roger
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 10:50 p.m.
The organizers still need to do some work getting the word out. This is the first article I can find on this year's race. It's one day earlier than last year's. I am glad these events exist and hope it is better than last year. Better course, better effort to keep the noise and trash low (hopefully). If it doesn't improve this year, keep the race and find a new organizer.
JRW
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:02 a.m.
Better suggestion: this should be the last year of the race. Let these runners participate in the Dexter Ann Arbor run the previous weekend. Is it necessary to have back to back races?
dotdash
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:04 p.m.
No one north of Geddes will be able to go anywhere in a car early that morning. The more detailed route website says Geddes should be re-opened by 8:30 or 8:45 (I can't remember). Still, it's worth it. Nice to have a marathon. Good luck to all runners.
a2citizen
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
I don't mind the minor inconvenience of street closures for this event. Some advice to the organizers and participants: Throw your plastic cups in the trash as you go along...not on the ground. Don't wait until after the race to pick up all the trash, plastic cups and litter. If you do this throughout the race our park system won't look like a garbage dump. Thank-you, and have fun.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
Glad I'll be up north like I was last year.
Amy Wiseman
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Hopefully the people playing and watching the mixed doubles portion of the Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament this weekend see this article - the semis and finals are on Sunday morning at Varsity Tennis Center on State Street and this could make travel difficult.
Brad
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:24 a.m.
What are the chances that these confident city officials considered the impact on a REAL Ann Arbor tradition - a tradition that unlike the marathon has EXISTED FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR? One that caters to - gasp - people who actually mostly already live here? Not to mention that it is not downtown. Fat chance. Make sure to vote on Aug 6.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.
"This is a much lower-profile event, and I think as Americans we need to keep doing what we do and not allow our lifestyles to be affected by terrorism."-- Lets not let their "lifestyle" be affected by anything else (like sanity and civic responsibility) either! These "marathoners" are lifestyle junkies, nothing more. We are getting a little too over-polite about this particularly minority. Consider: if any individual decides to go "running on errands" on our streets and sidewalks WITH the expectation of city protection for their recklessness - they'd be ticketed. Message for all marathoners: This is NOT 490 BC, nor is this a nearly empty countryside through which your highly privileged feet will be taking you. And - NONE OF YOU is carrying a vital message like Pheidippides did approximately 2503 years ago. Very few of you are Greeks or Athenians anyway - so get over yourselves. Top for organizers of this fiasco: Consult with AABTS and get their "25 mile loop" map for their One Helluva Ride (bicycle tour). MODIDY that country road map to make it 26+ miles. The Ann Arbor Biking and Touring Society at least has sense enough not to try closing off rights of way for the rest of us. Marathoners: this is what's called accepting responsibility for your hobby.
JRW
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.
Totally agree.
Darwinia
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 3:09 p.m.
Make a real Ann Arbor run: Glazier -> Huron Pkwy -> Fuller -> N. State -> Catherine -> Miller -> Main -> Summit -> Wildt -> Sunset -> Newport -> Miller -> S. Seventh through West Park -> Chapin -> Miller -> N. Fourth and end at Farmer's Market. Having run variations of that with a certain local phys ed teacher when it's -20 in January, a Sunday in June should be no problem.
Pete Cunningham
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:42 p.m.
I find the weekends of runs, be it the Dexter-Ann Arbor, the marathon or whatever, to be some of the most enjoyable the city has to offer. Masses of people walking around, patronizing local businesses and feeling accomplished and total strangers rooting each other on. Looks like race organizers and city official had some issues to address last year and I'm sure will have some more this year and in years to come, but the overwhelming positives seem to outweigh the negatives.
aamom
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.
@Brad Clearly your comment is full of sarcasm, but I'm guessing local business owners welcome them (and their wallets) with open arms.
Brad
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
Oh boy, masses of people mostly from elsewhere get to come to our city and be tourists and feel accomplished.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
I'd like to see them do a Seney Stretch marathon instead. Why clutter-up populated areas? Why are they running on our roads? Do we drive on their sidewalks or running tracks? And what's really funny is we're supposed to feel good they'll only play amplified music after 7am. Wow, 7am, that's mighty generous of them.
Krupper1
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.
Just a second . . . if the runners start complaining about the quality of the roads, something might actually be done!
Rick Stevens
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
What an insane route. For example, and you can ask any runner how they feel about these kinds of turns, there are two (in a row) streets where runners have to just go down a street, turn around a cone and run back up the street. And running down State then around Briarwood and back up State - talk about boring and ugly. And practically no shade that entire stretch.
snark12
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
How about a Sunday in September or October? The same group used to run the Big House Big Heart run in October and that was fine.
ArthGuinness
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.
Most of these points I can agree with. I did the event last year and some of the elements *feel* cobbled together, even though I know they're not with all the requirements constraining them. Similarly with the date - it can't interfere with Art Fair, and due to the problems last year it can't be on Father's Day, it can't be in a Michigan winter, it can't interfere with football, etc. In fact I'm basically not doing it this year because my schedule made me choose between the DXA2 and this. And DXA2 is so much more beautiful and has a great tradition.
MRunner73
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
As long as the race starts and finishes in Ann Arbor can still qualify it as an Ann Arbor Marathon. There are many options to run out west to Scio Twp via the back roads. You make a good point. The number of turns makes the course run slow. Not to mention more officials are needed for all the turn points which makes for more overhead as well as traffic control.
snark12
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.
I agree, it's painful. And adding a short leg on Plymouth to hit the certified distance just shows how contrived and artificial it is. I'd love to have a strong marathon in Ann Arbor, but: 1) The route needs to improve, which means it doesn't have to be locked in the city. It's a long distance phone call from the finish line of the "Boston" Marathon to its start. 2) In mid June? There have been deaths in recent years from heat stroke at October marathons. 3) Most importantly, they shouldn't steal the D2A2 race's thunder by scheduling so close. This does smack of a for-profit operation rather than a rich running tradition.
JRW
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
This event is entirely unnecessary. Last weekend was the Dexter-AA run. Enough! This is a for profit group cashing in on "Ann Arbor." Here is an excerpt from their website: "Champions For Charity, LLC has developed a unique business model which enables non-profits to use CFC events as a fund-raising "tool" to raise thousands of dollars. " I'd like to know specifically how much of the money raised in the AA race was actually given to charities, and which ones, and how much was kept for "administration" by this for profit business. This is the first I'm hearing of this race, so "word is not out" in a meaningful way. Last year they left all kinds of litter and cups along the route 2-3 days after the race which is totally unacceptable. My view on this is for CFC to take their "business model" elsewhere.
Taylor
Tue, Jun 11, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.
Yes, a small percentage goes to charity. There was actually NO profit on this event, the owners of the company paid out of their pockets for a lot of it, and yet they are STILL giving money to charity. That is commendable!
Tom Teague
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
I'm not drawing a parallel here because I haven't studied the facts, but I heard an interesting TED talk in which the former president of a fundraising group said that we over focus on charity overhead. His point was that his professional organization had certain fixed costs but organized events that brought in a lot of money because they were well organized, popular, and well marketed. Also, his cost structure included stringent accounting of funds raised and disbursed. In other words, would you rather have the 60% of a million dollars with 40% going to overhead, or 80% of $500,00 raised at a less-well attended event with 20% going to overhead? Which benefits the charity cause more? Again, not saying that this is the case here, but it raises a question we should think about.
MRunner73
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:06 p.m.
To your point is also the reason why U-M AD Dave Brandon ditched the Big House run for Charity, which was operated by these CfC folks. Turns out, a small percentage of entry fees and proceeds actually go to Charities. These same race officials are responsible for trash clean up and the city is to blame for not putting out some stiff fines on this so I blame both on the post race mess.
Darwinia
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.
It only takes one time to leave a bad and long lasting impression. The Ann Arbor Marathon did that from the very first one and it looks like they'll do so again with the course choice this year. Briarwood traffic is bad already, throwing runners in and out of the worst entrance rather than starting the race there is a bad choice. There is also no clear time in which the roads will be fully reopened. Race organizers can "think" and "believe" all they want about whether they have gotten the word out, or that they can't control the behavior of thousands of runners. But the noise, trash and peeing freely also leaves a lasting impression of all runners. (A week later and there is still DX-A2 trash on HRD btwn Zeeb and Mast). But if the running community is the best way to get word out, then it's also past time for the running community to control the behavior of all participants. Maybe then the non-running community will feel less like we're held hostage.
Darwinia
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:55 p.m.
Thanks for clearing that up as the website is really unclear about times.
snark12
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
The best runners will start approaching the Briarwood area around 8-8:30am. The great majority will be done by 10:30am. I agree the route is a mess, and I'd prefer they just skip Briarwood, but it's a stretch to complain about Sunday morning traffic at the mall.
Darwinia
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
@Snark12 I'm not sure where you got 8 am for Briarwood. The obtusely written road closures sounded like runners will be circling it closer to the end. It would make more sense, especially with Briarwoods shorter Sunday hours to start there in the future. Work with mall management to have the inside open to stretch, cheer, play music etc. A lap around the circle at 6:30 am sounds more pleasant than towards the end when there is little shade and a lot of pavement. If the DX-A2 can shuttle all the way to Dexter, it can't be nearly as hard to shuttle runners back to the mall for their cars.
snark12
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
Exactly how bad is Briarwood traffic at 8am on a Sunday morning?
1959Viking
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.
Thanks for the heads up on the leftover trash on Huron River Drive from the DX-A2 somebody will drive out to look for it.
leezee
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
I'm still picturing a clustercuss.
drewk
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.
Yet another good reason to stay out of Ann arbor
Melissa Richter
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.
This article is confusing. It says the marathon is this Sunday but also says it on Father's Day which is June 16th. Which is it?
Brad
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.
A "purposeful change". That's rich.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
Yes, Kyle is correct - the race was on Father's Day last year, and it is not this year. That was a purposeful change.
leezee
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1 p.m.
At the end of the article: "It's unfortunate there were a lot of challenges to last year's marathon with regard to notification of street closures on Father's Day on a Sunday morning,"
Kyle Mattson
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.
The marathon is this Sunday. The references to father's day in the article are in discussion of last year's event.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.
The word is out? How? We don't have a newspaper in this town anymore, and word-of-mouth in the running community will get to maybe 0.05% of the population.
Tom Teague
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:56 p.m.
My church has a posting about it on its web site, so I think the communication has improved from last year.
snark12
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
Usual, I can't imagine how you could possibly learn about the marathon. If only there was a way for you and others to get local information about the community.
J
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.
I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, but regarding the newspaper jab, there's a reason we don't have one anymore: People don't read/buy newspapers. And that's not to mention the AAN was mostly a local paper; word-of-mouth in the running community is still more effective than the AAN would have been.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
The URL cut off above. Here it is shortened: http://tinyurl.com/kflxavv
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.
As I understand it, they've tried to do a better job notifying neighborhood associations, churches, apartment complexes and businesses, working closely with the city's communications office, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and Ann Arbor Public Schools. Petersen said she believes they did a good job of letting the majority of families with children in Ann Arbor know about the marathon through the schools. And believe it or not, we do still have newspapers in this town, including AnnArbor.com, which prints Thursdays and Sundays and has a website with the highest local market penetration of any newspaper in this country. Our continually growing audience numbers show more and more people are embracing or adapting to digital delivery of news. http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/03/mlivecom_annarborcom_rank_amon.html
Brad
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.
But who is confident of the city officials' confidence?
Brad
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:47 a.m.
You must be new here.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:15 a.m.
Can we also make sure that they use some semblance of human decency and not turn their concert-size PA systems to 10 and blare music directly into people's houses starting at 5 AM? Thanks.
Krupper1
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:41 a.m.
"If you analyze this course, there aren't many residential areas of significance that are on this course." I hope I never have to live in insignificance.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 3:28 p.m.
Arth; I'm sure a couple PA systems turned up to concert level pointed at your house at 5 AM would be defined as "motivation" by yourself.
ArthGuinness
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.
Someone who complains about why there's music has never heard of the word motivation.
Pete Cunningham
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.
Many runners I've talked to said they enjoyed the music and enthusiasm of residents along the route.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.
And the starting line was NOT the only problem. Whether someone's house is considered a "significant" residential area should not be a factor in someone's level of human decency or common sense. Most runners passing the speakers I'm talking about where actually covering their ears as they passed the speaker. I was really amazingly loud and stupid and rude and ridiculous.
rs
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
"but these go to 11" -Nigel Tufnel
Brad
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:46 a.m.
Why weren't the people running the race last year smart enough to know that without being told? Why weren't the people who allowed the streets to be rented smart enough to know that it was going to be a debacle? Not impressed by the organizer whatsoever. But now that it's almost a two-year "tradition" it'll be here to stay forever.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:37 a.m.
It's a running event. Why is music even needed? What's the point?
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.
The race director said in my last story he knows music woke up some people near the start line last year and that's an issue being addressed. He said music won't be played on the course before 7 a.m. "The marathon starts at 6:30 and we will make sure that we will keep the sound system at the start line low, and we will not be playing music at that time," he said, adding race organizers also will be careful about music being played elsewhere along the course. "If you analyze this course, there aren't many residential areas of significance that are on this course."
Lightnin' Bug
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:11 a.m.
So who pays for all the extra police?
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:38 a.m.
Champions for Charity, the race sponsor, is being required to provide liability insurance and reimburse the city for all expenses related to the event.
missmisery
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.
Working together to make it better for race participants and car dependent residents. Nice work!