“The half-marathon distance is the largest and most popular event we produce,” said Rich Harshbarger, executive race director.  “We are proud to have one of the most popular and iconic brands in the world as a partner.  The Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers support our city in so many ways and we look forward to working together,” Harshbarger said.

“The half-marathon is a phenomenal event that showcases great passion in our city,” explains Paul Stanford, President of MDCD.  “We are not only proud to be a sponsor, but also support all of the runners, volunteers and festivities that truly make this a wonderful Detroit tradition.”

The Detroit Free Press Marathon began in 1977 and has received multiple awards and distinctions.  Most recently Rodale Publishing named Detroit as one of the 10 best races for first-time marathoners and Competitor Magazine named Detroit’s “underwater mile” one of the 26 most memorable marathon miles in 2010.  Race weekend begins with a health and fitness expo that is free and open to the public.  Race distances include 5k, half-marathon, 5-person relay and full marathon.  The 35th annual race will take place October 19-21, 2012 in Downtown Detroit.

The Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers is comprised of 39 Chevrolet dealerships in Southeastern Michigan.  It is the MDCD mission to take an active role in local communities and to support the Metro Detroit area by featuring local events, venues, bands, charities and people in its marketing campaigns.  For more information please visit www.chevydetroit.com

Organizers of the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon, the world’s only race to cross international borders twice, announced today the addition of a U.S.-only Half-Marathon course.  The US-only Half-Marathon will be run on the back half of the Full Marathon course and begin after the majority of runners have crossed the mid-point.  Course plans, start times and other details are in development.

“Next year, half-marathoners will have the opportunity to see how beautiful Indian Village and Belle Isle are,” said Rich Harshbarger, executive race director.  “Introducing the US-only half makes sense and is the right thing to offer a growing field of running enthusiasts,” he said.

The Detroit Free Press Marathon began in 1977 and has received multiple awards and distinctions.  Most recently Rodale Publishing named Detroit as one of the 10 best races for first-time marathoners and Competitor Magazine named Detroit’s “underwater mile” one of the 26 most memorable marathon miles in 2010.

Race weekend begins with the Health & Fitness Expo that is free and open to the public.  Race distances include 5k, Half-Marathon, 5-person Relay and Full Marathon.  This year’s events will take place October 19-21 and participants may register online beginning January 1, 2012.

Race organizers announced Wednesday that Talmer Bank and Trust would be the co-title sponsor for the next two years. Talmer Bank also sponsored last month’s event, which featured a record field of 20,940 runners, walkers, wheelers and handcyclists for the marathon, half marathon, five-person relay and 5K run/walk that compose one of the city’s signature events.

“Talmer Bank and Trust is truly dedicated to this community. We are proud to have their support for at least the next two years as our primary partner in planning this world-class event,” Rich Harshbarger, executive race director and vice president of consumer marketing and communications for the Detroit Media Partnership, said in a statement. “Health and wealth go together. Talmer Bank embraced this opportunity immediately, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Talmer Bank, with headquarters in Troy, is the fifth-largest Michigan-based bank with 55 branches, more than 900 employees and $2.1 billion in assets. At last month’s event, Talmer Bank had 150 runners and 60 volunteers.

“The Detroit Free Press Marathon was an invigorating event and a great alliance with the Detroit Free Press and the community,” David Provost, chairman, president and CEO of Talmer Bank and Trust, said in a statement. “Our Talmer Bank team embraced the marathon and was overwhelmed by the commitment of all the runners and volunteers. We look forward to more success in 2012 and 2013.”  Click here to read the entire story.

Follow Talmer Bank and Trust on Facebook, or click here to visit their website.

2011 Results are available by clicking here .

• 2010 Results
• 2009 Results
• 2008 Results
• 2007 Results
• 2006 Results
• 2005 Results
• 2004 Results
• 2003 Results
• 2002 Results

2001 Results:

• Marathon
• 2 Person Relay
• 5 Person
• Wheelchair
• Marathon Walk
• 5K

Do you have your 2011 medal on display yet? Click here to see shadow boxes created for the events by Lasting Commemoratives.  Also, if you haven’t already, visit runphotos.com to see photos of yourself on Sunday October, 16!

If you missed your chance at the Health & Fitness Expo for official Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon merchandise, you can still order it online! Click here for official New Balance gear. Click here to order more official gear from the Detroit Free Press.

Are you ready for next year? Registration for the October 21, 2012 Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon opens January 1, 2012. Set a goal and start training.

What’s in store for 2012?

In order to continue to serve you better, and make each year’s event more successful, we’d like to know a little bit about our participants. If you would take a few moments to answer the questions on this survey, it will help us make next year’s event everything you want it to be.  Take our survey.

As you’re waiting and training for the 2012 event, we want to remind you to stay tuned to our Facebook page and Twitter feeds . We’ll be using them to keep you informed about news, training tips and to provide a network for all of our participants to get in touch with one another and share information.

One more way to stay informed about news and developments will be through these monthly email blasts. In 2012, we’ll be sending you a monthly email. It’s just one more way we want to keep you in the loop.

The Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon is in its 35th year! We’ve stepped into the 21st century and now you can download the official Detroit Free Press Marathon app! This app contains everything you will need from course maps to parking locations and event info. On event day, spectators and participants can enter in their info and track progress in real time (according to time mats) on the course maps. Want info on fluid and spirit stations, Conquered: the Official Marathon Afterparty, where Entertainment on the Run will be, where porta-johns are? That’s all in the app too!  Check back after event weekend and see results, photo highlights and more!

The Detroit Marathon app is intended to be a handy mobile reference to the course, the facilities and the races.  To download the app, visit the iTunes store or Android Market through your mobile device.   To submit feedback, visit www.facebook.com/detroitmarathon

Features include:

•     Registration
•     Course Maps
•     Entertainment Maps
•     Parking Maps
•     Real Time Tracking
•     Post Race Photos
•     Post Race Results
•     News Reports
•     FAQ’s