This small field (1400) half is a great hidden gem in the Detroit area. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Oakland County and is well supported by great volunteers. … MORE
This small field (1400) half is a great hidden gem in the Detroit area. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Oakland County and is well supported by great volunteers. There was plenty of fluids, and some nice treats from local groups and families. Good post race food, and live band entertainment. Beer tent for those of age (or soda). Good parking, close to start/finish. Race day packet pickup available.
I’ll run this again.
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Nice little hidden gem
This small field (1400) half is a great hidden gem in the Detroit area. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Oakland County and is well supported by great volunteers. … MORE
This small field (1400) half is a great hidden gem in the Detroit area. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Oakland County and is well supported by great volunteers. There was plenty of fluids, and some nice treats from local groups and families. Good post race food, and live band entertainment. Beer tent for those of age (or soda). Good parking, close to start/finish. Race day packet pickup available.
I’ll run this again.
Awesome local race
This race is getting bigger and bigger every year. I've only ever done the 10K, which is on OU's campus. Very beautiful, but pretty hilly. A lot of fun! MORE
This race is getting bigger and bigger every year. I’ve only ever done the 10K, which is on OU’s campus. Very beautiful, but pretty hilly. A lot of fun!
Hilly but gorgeous!
The 10K and half marathon course are both very hilly, but beautiful! I've ran the 10K twice and trained on the half-marathon course all summer. It's very hilly, but scenic, … MORE
The 10K and half marathon course are both very hilly, but beautiful! I’ve ran the 10K twice and trained on the half-marathon course all summer. It’s very hilly, but scenic, and they have live music every mile, which is really nice. The 10K is completely on Oakland University’s campus. GREAT Expo.
Fantastic fall half for first-timers
This was my first half marathon, way back in 2012. As such, it holds a special place in my heart. It's a great half for first-time half marathoners -- they … MORE
This was my first half marathon, way back in 2012. As such, it holds a special place in my heart. It’s a great half for first-time half marathoners — they have pre-organized training groups that anyone can sign up for. Although I did not use that option, I believe the groups train together throughout the summer based on ability, expected finishing time, etc. It’s a big race, and walker friendly.
The course is “midwest hilly” — there are no beast hills that will destroy you, but it’s instead just gentle rolling hills. There’s never more than ~0.4 mi uphill before the course flattens back out.
People rave about the scenery on this course, and while some stretches (especially in the first ~4-5 mi) are through a nice wooded area surrounded by fall foliage, there’s a lot of suburban street running on the back half of the course that’s your average metro Detroit “scenery”.
Nevertheless, I loved the organization of this race, beginner-friendliness, course support, and overall great experience for first-timers.