Meet some of the most compelling people involved in this year’s event — from world-class athletes to runners with amazing tales of perseverance and personal accomplishment
(DETROIT – Oct. 10, 2024) When the Detroit Free Press Marathon arrives Oct. 17-19, there will thousands of runners hitting the streets of the Motor City — many of them with incredible stories.
From athletic triumphs to personal battles, here are some of the best.
They are shared to provide potential story ideas or angles as you consider your coverage of the race weekend.
*** Individual contacts and additional details about these runners’ stories are available upon request. If you are looking for a certain type of personal story not represented here, we can probably find one. ***
- Last year, Ferndale husband-and-wife duo Andrew Bowman and Sydney Bowman were the power couple of the Detroit Free Press Marathon — winning the Men and Women’s Marathon, respectively. This year, the pair is enjoying another milestone: the arrival of their first child in late September. Andrew Bowman will be defending his title, while Sydney and their newborn are expected to be greeting him together at the finish line.
- Speaking of Andrew Bowman, he’s the No. 2 seed in the Elite Field this year — and will be facing some stellar competition if he hopes to retain his crown. The No. 1 seed in the men’s field is University of Michigan alum Tom Brady (no, not that Tom Brady). Brady is making his marathon debut in Detroit following a decorated running career at U-M, where he holds two school records (5,000 indoor and 10,000 outdoor), multiple Big 10 championships and multiple second team All-American designations. Both Bowman and Brady have their eyes — realistically — on the Free Press Marathon’s event record time of 2:13:07, which has been held by Greg Meyer since 1980.
- Around the 24th mile of the 2024 Detroit Free Press Marathon, while planning to celebrate his 60th birthday that day, runner Patrick Vanderbush of Lawton collapsed following a heart attack. Unconscious and without a pulse, he was initially treated by a marathon volunteer and physician from Henry Ford Health, the race’s official medical team. He survived and recovered. This year, Patrick and his family are volunteering near the spot where he went down, and race officials will be inserting him and his family onto the course, where they will run the final two miles of the race to finish what he started last year.
- We can’t share names on this story just yet, but we’re excited about plans for a wedding proposal happening between two event participants shortly after the finish line is crossed on Sunday. More details soon.
- Carol Kuhn of Rubicon, Wisconsin, is running her 71st marathon in Detroit this year, and has completed marathons in all 50 states. What’s more remarkable: She’ll be running Detroit at age 70, her first marathon following a four-year bout with long COVID.
- A D2 All-American at Wayne State, 22-year-old Reagan Justice of Milan, Michigan, is the fourth-seeded woman in the Marathon’s Elite Field. She’s plenty accomplished herself, but what makes her story so interesting is who will be running alongside her, seeded 13th in the Elite Field: her 47-year-old mother Angela Carron, also of Milan. This will be Carron’s 150th marathon, and as she notes: “I can’t recall ever hearing of a mother-daughter duo in an elite field anywhere.” Says Carron: “Never in a million years did I think I would still be fast enough, at the age of 47, to line up alongside her in the Elite Field at the Detroit Marathon. It’s like a dream come true.”
- Kyle Young, 28, was born with a rare genetic bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta — breaking bones was a regular part of his childhood, and he always questioned what he “would be able to accomplish, or how physically limited I would be.” He slowly got stronger over time and began testing what was possible — including falling in love with running after moving to California a few years ago. Now he’s returning to Detroit to test his “newfound limits” alongside friends and family.
- Married couple Ivan Zharikov-Smith and Jillian Smith take the phrase “long-distance relationship” to new meanings and heights. The couple met online while Ivan was living in Russia and Jillian in Ohio, using marathon training as a bonding tool while residing apart. “Now, we are finally married and running our first marathon in the same race,” Ivan says. “The way we see it, we crossed international borders to be together, and now we want to commemorate it with a marathon that also crosses international borders.”
- Quiency Dugger is visiting from Austell, Georgia, to participate in Detroit’s Supreme Challenge (1-Mile and 5K races on Saturday, Marathon on Sunday). But the 45-year-old has already traveled quite a distance, having lost 220 pounds — down from 440 — as part of his fitness journey.
- The marathon’s Masters Field (for runners 40+) features Fenton’s Lisa Veneziano, 60, who recently set an age group record at the 2025 Boston Marathon (2:58:02), while winning her division in that storied race for four years consecutively. She is a member of the USA Track & Field Masters Hall of Fame.
- Derrick Hayes was shot five times while on duty as a Detroit Police Officer in 2005. Since then, his journey has included learning to live with limitations caused by the shooting, gaining weight (reaching 300 pounds), and other difficulties mentally, physically and spiritually. He changed his lifestyle to focus on strength training and running — despite doctors telling him he’d never be able to run. Now he is an educator and fitness professional. “The passion for running has been an integral part of my life since. I can’t see myself not doing it,” says Hayes. “I have huge plans to take it even further.”
Press releases with additional details about next weekend’s marathon activities will arrive next week, including information on live coverage during the races.
About the Detroit Free Press Marathon: The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSUFCU, is Michigan’s largest road race, North America’s largest international road race and a beloved tradition among runners across the world. Established in 1978, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has grown into one of the world’s premier running events, famously crossing international borders to showcase the best of the Motor City and Windsor, Canada. With a mission of promoting health, community involvement and world-class competition, the marathon proudly stands as a highlight of Detroit’s annual sporting calendar. This year’s race weekend arrives Oct. 17-19, 2025. Races include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5k, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage Door, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. Beyond the races, the weekend features multiple supporting activities, including an expansive Health and Fitness Expo, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit www.freepmarathon.com or follow us on social media at Facebook and Instagram.
For Detroit Free Press Marathon photos, go here: LINK.
Meet some of the most compelling people involved in this year’s event — from world-class athletes to runners with amazing tales of perseverance and personal accomplishment
(DETROIT – Oct. 10, 2024) When the Detroit Free Press Marathon arrives Oct. 17-19, there will thousands of runners hitting the streets of the Motor City — many of them with incredible stories.
From athletic triumphs to personal battles, here are some of the best.
They are shared to provide potential story ideas or angles as you consider your coverage of the race weekend.
*** Individual contacts and additional details about these runners’ stories are available upon request. If you are looking for a certain type of personal story not represented here, we can probably find one. ***
- Last year, Ferndale husband-and-wife duo Andrew Bowman and Sydney Bowman were the power couple of the Detroit Free Press Marathon — winning the Men and Women’s Marathon, respectively. This year, the pair is enjoying another milestone: the arrival of their first child in late September. Andrew Bowman will be defending his title, while Sydney and their newborn are expected to be greeting him together at the finish line.
- Speaking of Andrew Bowman, he’s the No. 2 seed in the Elite Field this year — and will be facing some stellar competition if he hopes to retain his crown. The No. 1 seed in the men’s field is University of Michigan alum Tom Brady (no, not that Tom Brady). Brady is making his marathon debut in Detroit following a decorated running career at U-M, where he holds two school records (5,000 indoor and 10,000 outdoor), multiple Big 10 championships and multiple second team All-American designations. Both Bowman and Brady have their eyes — realistically — on the Free Press Marathon’s event record time of 2:13:07, which has been held by Greg Meyer since 1980.
- Around the 24th mile of the 2024 Detroit Free Press Marathon, while planning to celebrate his 60th birthday that day, runner Patrick Vanderbush of Lawton collapsed following a heart attack. Unconscious and without a pulse, he was initially treated by a marathon volunteer and physician from Henry Ford Health, the race’s official medical team. He survived and recovered. This year, Patrick and his family are volunteering near the spot where he went down, and race officials will be inserting him and his family onto the course, where they will run the final two miles of the race to finish what he started last year.
- We can’t share names on this story just yet, but we’re excited about plans for a wedding proposal happening between two event participants shortly after the finish line is crossed on Sunday. More details soon.
- Carol Kuhn of Rubicon, Wisconsin, is running her 71st marathon in Detroit this year, and has completed marathons in all 50 states. What’s more remarkable: She’ll be running Detroit at age 70, her first marathon following a four-year bout with long COVID.
- A D2 All-American at Wayne State, 22-year-old Reagan Justice of Milan, Michigan, is the fourth-seeded woman in the Marathon’s Elite Field. She’s plenty accomplished herself, but what makes her story so interesting is who will be running alongside her, seeded 13th in the Elite Field: her 47-year-old mother Angela Carron, also of Milan. This will be Carron’s 150th marathon, and as she notes: “I can’t recall ever hearing of a mother-daughter duo in an elite field anywhere.” Says Carron: “Never in a million years did I think I would still be fast enough, at the age of 47, to line up alongside her in the Elite Field at the Detroit Marathon. It’s like a dream come true.”
- Kyle Young, 28, was born with a rare genetic bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta — breaking bones was a regular part of his childhood, and he always questioned what he “would be able to accomplish, or how physically limited I would be.” He slowly got stronger over time and began testing what was possible — including falling in love with running after moving to California a few years ago. Now he’s returning to Detroit to test his “newfound limits” alongside friends and family.
- Married couple Ivan Zharikov-Smith and Jillian Smith take the phrase “long-distance relationship” to new meanings and heights. The couple met online while Ivan was living in Russia and Jillian in Ohio, using marathon training as a bonding tool while residing apart. “Now, we are finally married and running our first marathon in the same race,” Ivan says. “The way we see it, we crossed international borders to be together, and now we want to commemorate it with a marathon that also crosses international borders.”
- Quiency Dugger is visiting from Austell, Georgia, to participate in Detroit’s Supreme Challenge (1-Mile and 5K races on Saturday, Marathon on Sunday). But the 45-year-old has already traveled quite a distance, having lost 220 pounds — down from 440 — as part of his fitness journey.
- The marathon’s Masters Field (for runners 40+) features Fenton’s Lisa Veneziano, 60, who recently set an age group record at the 2025 Boston Marathon (2:58:02), while winning her division in that storied race for four years consecutively. She is a member of the USA Track & Field Masters Hall of Fame.
- Derrick Hayes was shot five times while on duty as a Detroit Police Officer in 2005. Since then, his journey has included learning to live with limitations caused by the shooting, gaining weight (reaching 300 pounds), and other difficulties mentally, physically and spiritually. He changed his lifestyle to focus on strength training and running — despite doctors telling him he’d never be able to run. Now he is an educator and fitness professional. “The passion for running has been an integral part of my life since. I can’t see myself not doing it,” says Hayes. “I have huge plans to take it even further.”
Press releases with additional details about next weekend’s marathon activities will arrive next week, including information on live coverage during the races.
About the Detroit Free Press Marathon: The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSUFCU, is Michigan’s largest road race, North America’s largest international road race and a beloved tradition among runners across the world. Established in 1978, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has grown into one of the world’s premier running events, famously crossing international borders to showcase the best of the Motor City and Windsor, Canada. With a mission of promoting health, community involvement and world-class competition, the marathon proudly stands as a highlight of Detroit’s annual sporting calendar. This year’s race weekend arrives Oct. 17-19, 2025. Races include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5k, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage Door, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. Beyond the races, the weekend features multiple supporting activities, including an expansive Health and Fitness Expo, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit www.freepmarathon.com or follow us on social media at Facebook and Instagram.
For Detroit Free Press Marathon photos, go here: LINK.
