Presenting the Elite Runners of the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2024!
The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSU Federal Credit Union, is thrilled to unveil its prestigious Elite Field for 2024. As part of our enduring commitment to elevate the race’s prominence and foster a culture of excellence in distance running, we are honored to welcome an exceptional cohort of elite athletes from across Metro Detroit, Michigan, Canada, and the United States.
Men’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Online Running Coach & Personal Trainer
Instagram: @Andyb_xc3
Personal best time: 2:15:52
Career highlights: 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon Champion
Favorite quote: “Everyone wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what beasts do” -Eric Thomas
Fun fact(s) about you: Believe it or not I met my wife at a race and it was love at first sight.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love Detroit, I love the community of runners we have here and I love this race. It’s a great experience that is literally in my backyard that there’s no way I could pass up on the opportunity to race the marathon.
Profession: Financial Analyst, Graduate Student
Instagram: @Trumanzac
Personal best time: 1:05:38 (Half-marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D2 All-American
Favorite quote: “Prepare with humility, compete with confidence.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I’m a huge Pistons fan.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I wanted my first marathon to be in the best city in the world.
Profession: Sales Engineer at Cognex
Instagram: @noahssteffen
Personal best time: 2:16:59 Marathon at Bayshore Marathon
Career highlights: Running in the 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon
Favorite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a twin sister
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love being able to race in Michigan while still having a very competitive elite field. Having an elite field full of Michigan residents will be a fantastic way to showcase the large amount of talent we have in the mitten.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Running coach
Instagram: @sydneytdevore
Personal best time: 2:31:07, 1:12:11
Career highlights: Winning the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2018 (2:32), 16th at the 2018 NYC Marathon (2:32), 22nd at the Boston Marathon 2:31:08, Finishing in the top 10 at the USA 15k championships and 10 mile championships. Qualifying for 2 Olympic Trials 2020 & 2024
Favorite quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I used to teach 3rd and 4th Grade. I ran for the University of Florida. I lived and taught English in Busan, South Korea. I have two GSPs and it is my dream to compete on Chopped.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Hometown GLORY! ;)
Profession: Communications Director, Demand Progress
Instagram: @ms_langholz
Personal best time: 2:38:22, Grandma’s Marathon 2022
Career highlights: Running my personal best at Grandma’s Marathon was a blast. It’s near my hometown, I had my friend Colton running with me (it was an ~easy~ pace for him), and you can’t beat a fast course by Lake Superior.
Favorite quote: “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize we don’t really stand for them.” -Paul Wellstone
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a super cute pup named Fontina. She’s obviously named after a cheese because both my husband and I are from Wisconsin and are obsessed with cheese. I collect cookbooks and have over 150 of them.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I’m incredibly excited to be part of this new elite field at the Detroit Marathon. I absolutely adore the Midwest, and have enjoyed my visits to Detroit. I can’t wait to race in the cool fall weather and see what kind of time I can pull off.
Profession: Data Librarian at Disney Streaming Technology
Instagram: @danaefinnegan
Personal best time: 2:40:45
Career highlights: Qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Trials (raced in Atlanta right before the pandemic!)
Favorite quote: “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” -Rocky Balboa in Creed
Fun fact(s) about you: After earning my master’s from Wayne State University, I spent the last seven years in Los Angeles. Despite my deep affection for LA, my heart truly belongs to Detroit. It’s an underrated city brimming with so much pride, opportunity, and vibrant energy, making it one of my favorite places, rivaled only a little by Mexico City.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I missed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard for 2024. Since then, my relationship to the marathon has changed. I’m looking forward to shifting my focus from hitting a specific time. I think it’s more fun to race against myself and the talented individuals around me than the clock!
Profession: Physician Assistant
Instagram: @katelandau
Personal best time: 2:31:56 (Boston 2019)
Career highlights: Boston 2019- 13th, NYC marathon 2019-15th, Olympic Trials 2020- 14th, Chicago 2018-8th
Favorite quote: Be the best you can be (Tri-Valley High School motto)
Fun fact(s) about you: Don’t want to get in trouble!!
Why are you racing Detroit?: I won Detroit in 2023 but did not race well and want to come back and race strong/plus a beautiful international marathon!!
Men’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Teacher
Personal best time: 13:43 5k, 28:35 10k, 2:19 debut full marathon
Career highlights: Becoming a Division I All-American, qualifying for 4 NCAA meets, signing a professional contract.
Favorite quote: “You never know what’s right around the corner.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have two former Cincinnati Bearcat teammates that also signed professional running contracts.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have heard so many great things about the event being 30 minutes away and I finally felt it was the right time to experience it for myself and get after it!
Profession: Software Developer
Instagram: @meindertsmam
Personal best time: 14:37 (5k), 30:21 (10k), 1:05:49 (1/2 marathon)
Career highlights: 2022 MIAA 10,000m champion, ran a PR of 1:05:49 at the 2023 Indy Monumental 1/2 marathon
Favorite quote: “Run for fun and PRs” -Al Carius
Fun fact(s) about you: In addition to being a runner, i am also a drummer, and a high school cross country coach.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Detroit has been on my bucket list for a few years now. The addition of the elite field this year presented a great opportunity to run with top level competition.
Profession: Resident physician
Instagram: @morsirayyan
Personal best time: 66:24 half marathon, 29:12 10k, 13:57 5k, 4:03 mile
Career highlights: Qualifying for the NCAA national championship twice in the 10k while at the University of Michigan, winning the Detroit International Half Marathon in 2017 and 2022
Favorite quote: “Focus on the process, not the result. At the end of the day, just go out there and compete” -paraphrased from Alex Gibby
Fun fact(s) about you: My dog Galaxy is my main training buddy, though she only does about 1/3 of the mileage and stops a lot.
Why are you racing Detroit?: It’s a fun race on a beautiful course! Nothing beats racing across the bridge toward the rising sun.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: @annabene713
Personal best time: 1:13:10 (half), 2:35:04 (full), 16:01 (5K)
Career highlights: D1 XC All-American (40th place- 2017); Olympic Trials Qualifier in first marathon (2:35:04 at McKirdy Micro Marathon); 4th Place Podium D1 NCAA Team (2018- University of Michigan)
Favorite quote: “The greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them.”
Fun fact(s) about you: Despite living in Hawaii and being a 5 minute walk from the beach, I am deathly afraid of sharks because of how much Shark Week my brother and I watched growing up. You will not find me more than 10 feet from shore in the ocean. I did cage dive with sharks, though (will never do that again)!
Why are you racing Detroit?: Lots of reasons! My husband and I will use any excuse to head back to the mainland to race and visit family. I’m STOKED Detroit is having its first elite field, because this was a race I was interested in running for a while. Weather permitting, it seems like a fun course to chase a PR. Also, I’ve never been to Canada, so I’m pumped to check that off the list. :)
Profession: Wedding Photographer, High School Track and Field and Cross Country Coach
Instagram: @alyssamcelheny
Personal best time: 2:37:31 (marathon), 1:14:55 (half marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D3 All-American in the 3k steeplechase, 3x Champion Grand Rapids Half Marathon, came within 31 seconds of the 2024 US Marathon OTQ standard.
Fun fact(s) about you: I’ve been running competitively since 7th grade (over 20 years ago). The cross country team I coach with my husband won a state title this fall. One of my favorite parts of my job (wedding photography) is the places it brings me – I’ve photographed couples in India, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, and many US states. Running in these countries has been such an incredible way to see the world.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I had PRP injections into my hamstring and gluteal tendons in April to deal with some lingering tendinopathy. On June 6th I will be able to return to running and I wanted an exciting fall goal race to train for. The Detroit International Half Marathon seemed like the perfect choice.
Profession: District Manager
Personal best time: 2:43 in the marathon, 1:15:59 in the half marathon, 16:32 in the 5k.
Career highlights: Running the Berlin Marathon – so cool to run a race abroad.
Favorite quote: “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” -Michael Scott
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a 200+ day Duolingo streak.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have always wanted to race Detroit! It feels like a hometown race.
Presenting the Elite Runners of the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2024!
The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSU Federal Credit Union, is thrilled to unveil its prestigious Elite Field for 2024. As part of our enduring commitment to elevate the race’s prominence and foster a culture of excellence in distance running, we are honored to welcome an exceptional cohort of elite athletes from across Metro Detroit, Michigan, Canada, and the United States.
Men’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Online Running Coach & Personal Trainer
Instagram: @Andyb_xc3
Personal best time: 2:15:52
Career highlights: 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon Champion
Favorite quote: “Everyone wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what beasts do” -Eric Thomas
Fun fact(s) about you: Believe it or not I met my wife at a race and it was love at first sight.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love Detroit, I love the community of runners we have here and I love this race. It’s a great experience that is literally in my backyard that there’s no way I could pass up on the opportunity to race the marathon.
Profession: Financial Analyst, Graduate Student
Instagram: @Trumanzac
Personal best time: 1:05:38 (Half-marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D2 All-American
Favorite quote: “Prepare with humility, compete with confidence.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I’m a huge Pistons fan.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I wanted my first marathon to be in the best city in the world.
Profession: Sales Engineer at Cognex
Instagram: @noahssteffen
Personal best time: 2:16:59 Marathon at Bayshore Marathon
Career highlights: Running in the 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon
Favorite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a twin sister
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love being able to race in Michigan while still having a very competitive elite field. Having an elite field full of Michigan residents will be a fantastic way to showcase the large amount of talent we have in the mitten.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Running coach
Instagram: @sydneytdevore
Personal best time: 2:31:07, 1:12:11
Career highlights: Winning the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2018 (2:32), 16th at the 2018 NYC Marathon (2:32), 22nd at the Boston Marathon 2:31:08, Finishing in the top 10 at the USA 15k championships and 10 mile championships. Qualifying for 2 Olympic Trials 2020 & 2024
Favorite quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I used to teach 3rd and 4th Grade. I ran for the University of Florida. I lived and taught English in Busan, South Korea. I have two GSPs and it is my dream to compete on Chopped.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Hometown GLORY! ;)
Profession: Communications Director, Demand Progress
Instagram: @ms_langholz
Personal best time: 2:38:22, Grandma’s Marathon 2022
Career highlights: Running my personal best at Grandma’s Marathon was a blast. It’s near my hometown, I had my friend Colton running with me (it was an ~easy~ pace for him), and you can’t beat a fast course by Lake Superior.
Favorite quote: “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize we don’t really stand for them.” -Paul Wellstone
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a super cute pup named Fontina. She’s obviously named after a cheese because both my husband and I are from Wisconsin and are obsessed with cheese. I collect cookbooks and have over 150 of them.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I’m incredibly excited to be part of this new elite field at the Detroit Marathon. I absolutely adore the Midwest, and have enjoyed my visits to Detroit. I can’t wait to race in the cool fall weather and see what kind of time I can pull off.
Profession: Data Librarian at Disney Streaming Technology
Instagram: @danaefinnegan
Personal best time: 2:40:45
Career highlights: Qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Trials (raced in Atlanta right before the pandemic!)
Favorite quote: “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” -Rocky Balboa in Creed
Fun fact(s) about you: After earning my master’s from Wayne State University, I spent the last seven years in Los Angeles. Despite my deep affection for LA, my heart truly belongs to Detroit. It’s an underrated city brimming with so much pride, opportunity, and vibrant energy, making it one of my favorite places, rivaled only a little by Mexico City.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I missed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard for 2024. Since then, my relationship to the marathon has changed. I’m looking forward to shifting my focus from hitting a specific time. I think it’s more fun to race against myself and the talented individuals around me than the clock!
Profession: Physician Assistant
Instagram: @katelandau
Personal best time: 2:31:56 (Boston 2019)
Career highlights: Boston 2019- 13th, NYC marathon 2019-15th, Olympic Trials 2020- 14th, Chicago 2018-8th
Favorite quote: Be the best you can be (Tri-Valley High School motto)
Fun fact(s) about you: Don’t want to get in trouble!!
Why are you racing Detroit?: I won Detroit in 2023 but did not race well and want to come back and race strong/plus a beautiful international marathon!!
Men’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Teacher
Personal best time: 13:43 5k, 28:35 10k, 2:19 debut full marathon
Career highlights: Becoming a Division I All-American, qualifying for 4 NCAA meets, signing a professional contract.
Favorite quote: “You never know what’s right around the corner.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have two former Cincinnati Bearcat teammates that also signed professional running contracts.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have heard so many great things about the event being 30 minutes away and I finally felt it was the right time to experience it for myself and get after it!
Profession: Software Developer
Instagram: @meindertsmam
Personal best time: 14:37 (5k), 30:21 (10k), 1:05:49 (1/2 marathon)
Career highlights: 2022 MIAA 10,000m champion, ran a PR of 1:05:49 at the 2023 Indy Monumental 1/2 marathon
Favorite quote: “Run for fun and PRs” -Al Carius
Fun fact(s) about you: In addition to being a runner, i am also a drummer, and a high school cross country coach.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Detroit has been on my bucket list for a few years now. The addition of the elite field this year presented a great opportunity to run with top level competition.
Profession: Resident physician
Instagram: @morsirayyan
Personal best time: 66:24 half marathon, 29:12 10k, 13:57 5k, 4:03 mile
Career highlights: Qualifying for the NCAA national championship twice in the 10k while at the University of Michigan, winning the Detroit International Half Marathon in 2017 and 2022
Favorite quote: “Focus on the process, not the result. At the end of the day, just go out there and compete” -paraphrased from Alex Gibby
Fun fact(s) about you: My dog Galaxy is my main training buddy, though she only does about 1/3 of the mileage and stops a lot.
Why are you racing Detroit?: It’s a fun race on a beautiful course! Nothing beats racing across the bridge toward the rising sun.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: @annabene713
Personal best time: 1:13:10 (half), 2:35:04 (full), 16:01 (5K)
Career highlights: D1 XC All-American (40th place- 2017); Olympic Trials Qualifier in first marathon (2:35:04 at McKirdy Micro Marathon); 4th Place Podium D1 NCAA Team (2018- University of Michigan)
Favorite quote: “The greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them.”
Fun fact(s) about you: Despite living in Hawaii and being a 5 minute walk from the beach, I am deathly afraid of sharks because of how much Shark Week my brother and I watched growing up. You will not find me more than 10 feet from shore in the ocean. I did cage dive with sharks, though (will never do that again)!
Why are you racing Detroit?: Lots of reasons! My husband and I will use any excuse to head back to the mainland to race and visit family. I’m STOKED Detroit is having its first elite field, because this was a race I was interested in running for a while. Weather permitting, it seems like a fun course to chase a PR. Also, I’ve never been to Canada, so I’m pumped to check that off the list. :)
Profession: Wedding Photographer, High School Track and Field and Cross Country Coach
Instagram: @alyssamcelheny
Personal best time: 2:37:31 (marathon), 1:14:55 (half marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D3 All-American in the 3k steeplechase, 3x Champion Grand Rapids Half Marathon, came within 31 seconds of the 2024 US Marathon OTQ standard.
Fun fact(s) about you: I’ve been running competitively since 7th grade (over 20 years ago). The cross country team I coach with my husband won a state title this fall. One of my favorite parts of my job (wedding photography) is the places it brings me – I’ve photographed couples in India, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, and many US states. Running in these countries has been such an incredible way to see the world.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I had PRP injections into my hamstring and gluteal tendons in April to deal with some lingering tendinopathy. On June 6th I will be able to return to running and I wanted an exciting fall goal race to train for. The Detroit International Half Marathon seemed like the perfect choice.
Profession: District Manager
Personal best time: 2:43 in the marathon, 1:15:59 in the half marathon, 16:32 in the 5k.
Career highlights: Running the Berlin Marathon – so cool to run a race abroad.
Favorite quote: “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” -Michael Scott
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a 200+ day Duolingo streak.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have always wanted to race Detroit! It feels like a hometown race.
Presenting the Elite Runners of the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2024!
The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSU Federal Credit Union, is thrilled to unveil its prestigious Elite Field for 2024. As part of our enduring commitment to elevate the race’s prominence and foster a culture of excellence in distance running, we are honored to welcome an exceptional cohort of elite athletes from across Metro Detroit, Michigan, Canada, and the United States.
Men’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Online Running Coach & Personal Trainer
Instagram: @Andyb_xc3
Personal best time: 2:15:52
Career highlights: 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon Champion
Favorite quote: “Everyone wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what beasts do” -Eric Thomas
Fun fact(s) about you: Believe it or not I met my wife at a race and it was love at first sight.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love Detroit, I love the community of runners we have here and I love this race. It’s a great experience that is literally in my backyard that there’s no way I could pass up on the opportunity to race the marathon.
Profession: Financial Analyst, Graduate Student
Instagram: @Trumanzac
Personal best time: 1:05:38 (Half-marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D2 All-American
Favorite quote: “Prepare with humility, compete with confidence.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I’m a huge Pistons fan.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I wanted my first marathon to be in the best city in the world.
Profession: Sales Engineer at Cognex
Instagram: @noahssteffen
Personal best time: 2:16:59 Marathon at Bayshore Marathon
Career highlights: Running in the 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon
Favorite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a twin sister
Why are you racing Detroit?: I love being able to race in Michigan while still having a very competitive elite field. Having an elite field full of Michigan residents will be a fantastic way to showcase the large amount of talent we have in the mitten.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Full Marathon
Profession: Running coach
Instagram: @sydneytdevore
Personal best time: 2:31:07, 1:12:11
Career highlights: Winning the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2018 (2:32), 16th at the 2018 NYC Marathon (2:32), 22nd at the Boston Marathon 2:31:08, Finishing in the top 10 at the USA 15k championships and 10 mile championships. Qualifying for 2 Olympic Trials 2020 & 2024
Favorite quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I used to teach 3rd and 4th Grade. I ran for the University of Florida. I lived and taught English in Busan, South Korea. I have two GSPs and it is my dream to compete on Chopped.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Hometown GLORY! ;)
Profession: Communications Director, Demand Progress
Instagram: @ms_langholz
Personal best time: 2:38:22, Grandma’s Marathon 2022
Career highlights: Running my personal best at Grandma’s Marathon was a blast. It’s near my hometown, I had my friend Colton running with me (it was an ~easy~ pace for him), and you can’t beat a fast course by Lake Superior.
Favorite quote: “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize we don’t really stand for them.” -Paul Wellstone
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a super cute pup named Fontina. She’s obviously named after a cheese because both my husband and I are from Wisconsin and are obsessed with cheese. I collect cookbooks and have over 150 of them.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I’m incredibly excited to be part of this new elite field at the Detroit Marathon. I absolutely adore the Midwest, and have enjoyed my visits to Detroit. I can’t wait to race in the cool fall weather and see what kind of time I can pull off.
Profession: Data Librarian at Disney Streaming Technology
Instagram: @danaefinnegan
Personal best time: 2:40:45
Career highlights: Qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Trials (raced in Atlanta right before the pandemic!)
Favorite quote: “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” -Rocky Balboa in Creed
Fun fact(s) about you: After earning my master’s from Wayne State University, I spent the last seven years in Los Angeles. Despite my deep affection for LA, my heart truly belongs to Detroit. It’s an underrated city brimming with so much pride, opportunity, and vibrant energy, making it one of my favorite places, rivaled only a little by Mexico City.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I missed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard for 2024. Since then, my relationship to the marathon has changed. I’m looking forward to shifting my focus from hitting a specific time. I think it’s more fun to race against myself and the talented individuals around me than the clock!
Profession: Physician Assistant
Instagram: @katelandau
Personal best time: 2:31:56 (Boston 2019)
Career highlights: Boston 2019- 13th, NYC marathon 2019-15th, Olympic Trials 2020- 14th, Chicago 2018-8th
Favorite quote: Be the best you can be (Tri-Valley High School motto)
Fun fact(s) about you: Don’t want to get in trouble!!
Why are you racing Detroit?: I won Detroit in 2023 but did not race well and want to come back and race strong/plus a beautiful international marathon!!
Men’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Teacher
Personal best time: 13:43 5k, 28:35 10k, 2:19 debut full marathon
Career highlights: Becoming a Division I All-American, qualifying for 4 NCAA meets, signing a professional contract.
Favorite quote: “You never know what’s right around the corner.”
Fun fact(s) about you: I have two former Cincinnati Bearcat teammates that also signed professional running contracts.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have heard so many great things about the event being 30 minutes away and I finally felt it was the right time to experience it for myself and get after it!
Profession: Software Developer
Instagram: @meindertsmam
Personal best time: 14:37 (5k), 30:21 (10k), 1:05:49 (1/2 marathon)
Career highlights: 2022 MIAA 10,000m champion, ran a PR of 1:05:49 at the 2023 Indy Monumental 1/2 marathon
Favorite quote: “Run for fun and PRs” -Al Carius
Fun fact(s) about you: In addition to being a runner, i am also a drummer, and a high school cross country coach.
Why are you racing Detroit?: Detroit has been on my bucket list for a few years now. The addition of the elite field this year presented a great opportunity to run with top level competition.
Profession: Resident physician
Instagram: @morsirayyan
Personal best time: 66:24 half marathon, 29:12 10k, 13:57 5k, 4:03 mile
Career highlights: Qualifying for the NCAA national championship twice in the 10k while at the University of Michigan, winning the Detroit International Half Marathon in 2017 and 2022
Favorite quote: “Focus on the process, not the result. At the end of the day, just go out there and compete” -paraphrased from Alex Gibby
Fun fact(s) about you: My dog Galaxy is my main training buddy, though she only does about 1/3 of the mileage and stops a lot.
Why are you racing Detroit?: It’s a fun race on a beautiful course! Nothing beats racing across the bridge toward the rising sun.
Women’s Elite Athletes – Int’l Half Marathon
Profession: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: @annabene713
Personal best time: 1:13:10 (half), 2:35:04 (full), 16:01 (5K)
Career highlights: D1 XC All-American (40th place- 2017); Olympic Trials Qualifier in first marathon (2:35:04 at McKirdy Micro Marathon); 4th Place Podium D1 NCAA Team (2018- University of Michigan)
Favorite quote: “The greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them.”
Fun fact(s) about you: Despite living in Hawaii and being a 5 minute walk from the beach, I am deathly afraid of sharks because of how much Shark Week my brother and I watched growing up. You will not find me more than 10 feet from shore in the ocean. I did cage dive with sharks, though (will never do that again)!
Why are you racing Detroit?: Lots of reasons! My husband and I will use any excuse to head back to the mainland to race and visit family. I’m STOKED Detroit is having its first elite field, because this was a race I was interested in running for a while. Weather permitting, it seems like a fun course to chase a PR. Also, I’ve never been to Canada, so I’m pumped to check that off the list. :)
Profession: Wedding Photographer, High School Track and Field and Cross Country Coach
Instagram: @alyssamcelheny
Personal best time: 2:37:31 (marathon), 1:14:55 (half marathon)
Career highlights: NCAA D3 All-American in the 3k steeplechase, 3x Champion Grand Rapids Half Marathon, came within 31 seconds of the 2024 US Marathon OTQ standard.
Fun fact(s) about you: I’ve been running competitively since 7th grade (over 20 years ago). The cross country team I coach with my husband won a state title this fall. One of my favorite parts of my job (wedding photography) is the places it brings me – I’ve photographed couples in India, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, and many US states. Running in these countries has been such an incredible way to see the world.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I had PRP injections into my hamstring and gluteal tendons in April to deal with some lingering tendinopathy. On June 6th I will be able to return to running and I wanted an exciting fall goal race to train for. The Detroit International Half Marathon seemed like the perfect choice.
Profession: District Manager
Personal best time: 2:43 in the marathon, 1:15:59 in the half marathon, 16:32 in the 5k.
Career highlights: Running the Berlin Marathon – so cool to run a race abroad.
Favorite quote: “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” -Michael Scott
Fun fact(s) about you: I have a 200+ day Duolingo streak.
Why are you racing Detroit?: I have always wanted to race Detroit! It feels like a hometown race.
