Ann Arbor Marathon : All posts

Boston Marathon prompts Color Run, Ann Arbor Marathon organizers to revisit security plans

Organizers of both the Color Run and Ann Arbor Marathon said they will discuss upcoming security measures for the two Washtenaw County events with local law enforcement agencies.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor Marathon and Ypsilanti Color Run event organizers plan to discuss security measures with local law enforcement agencies for the upcoming events, following the explosions that killed three and injured more than 170 at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Ann Arbor Marathon returns: City leaders hope for less traffic disruption with new route

This maps shows the planned route for the 2013 Ann Arbor Marathon. Download larger maps.

Champions for Charity

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, disrupting traffic and causing Mayor John Hieftje to remark that changes would need to be made for the event to happen again this year.

with poll: Mayor says Ann Arbor Marathon 'far too disruptive' and needs changes to continue

Hundreds of runners make their way down Main Street Sunday morning during the Ann Arbor Marathon.

Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com

Mayor John Hieftje said the disruption to local traffic was far too great and changes will need to be made for the event to continue in the future.

“I thought it was far too disruptive and it needs to be better, and I’m speaking solely to traffic and how people getting in and out of neighborhoods were affected,” Hieftje said.

Pair of Ann Arbor first-timers capture inaugural Ann Arbor Marathon titles

Ann Arbor Marathon winner Marco Capelli of Toledo holds his arms up in the air after crossing the finish line Sunday morning.

Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com

Neither Marco Capelli nor Allyson Weimer had set foot in Ann Arbor prior to this weekend.

But on Sunday, the duo was treated to a more intimate tour of the city than some longtime residents have ever experienced.

Capelli and Weimer were the first male and female, respectively, to cross the finish line at the inaugural Ann Arbor Marathon, capping a rather enjoyable morning sight-seeing tour while making history in the process.

"The city is beautiful," said the 24-year-old Weimer, who finished with winning time of 3 hours, 11 minutes and 41 seconds. "The campus is incredible, we went inside some buildings, it was very impressive."

notebook: Running for Jamie and wounded vets, a finish-line proposal and talented super mom at Ann Arbor Marathon

Ann Arbor resident Jonathan Algor carries an American flag as he participates with Team RWB during the half marathon race at the Ann Arbor Marathon.

Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com

With roughly a mile to go Sunday in the first ever Ann Arbor Marathon half marathon event, emotions began to hit Laura Sullivan.

Nearing the finish of a 13.1-mile race with five of your closest friends can offer a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that few other athletic achievements can mimic.

But it was the sixth friend, who couldn't make it, that began to affect Sullivan.

Because this race wasn't about them -- it was about Jamie, and finishing what she started.

"We were about a mile away and it started to hit me," said the 23-year-old Sullivan, a Kalamazoo native. "It was for Jamie, and this was great."

photo gallery: Images from Sunday's inaugural Ann Arbor Marathon

Main story: Pair of Ann Arbor first-timers capture inaugural Ann Arbor Marathon titles

Notebook: Running for Jamie and wounded vets, a finish-line proposal and talented super mom at Ann Arbor Marathon

Road closures planned for inaugural Ann Arbor marathon Sunday

Sunday marks the first ever Ann Arbor Marathon and, along with the runners and walkers, the race will bring some road closures during the race.

Years after accident left Saline resident in a coma and unable to move, she prepares for her first marathon

Steffanie Siefker sits with her husband, Mike, and 11-year-old son, Spencer, Friday afternoon in the living room of their Saline home. Siefker, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident 24 years ago, is participating in her first marathon this Sunday. "I read that running helps build neurons in your brain, so I started running," Siefker said. "I'm just glad to have survived, I feel blessed to have Mike in my life."

Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com

Steffanie Siefker’s son, 11-year-old Spencer Siefker, left a very special message for his mom on her birthday cake this year.

“Shut Up and Run,” it read.

Ann Arbor Marathon, by the numbers

At 6:45 a.m. Sunday morning, an estimated 800 runners will embark on a 26.2-mile run through the streets of Ann Arbor.

That's a lot of numbers. But it's only the beginning for the inaugural Ann Arbor Marathon. Here is a by-the-numbers look at the event, which includes more than 4,000 total runners in the full marathon, half marathon, 5-kilometer run and 1.2-mile run.

Small suggestion led to big task of creating Ann Arbor Marathon

Mike Highfield stands with his wife, Andrea, near the corner of Keech Avenue and Main Street in Ann Arbor, the start of the June 17 Ann Arbor Marathon that the Highfields founded.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Mike Highfield drove around, searching. He took laps around the city. He went out to Saline.

Highfield is the founder of Champions for Charity, the organization that sponsors many of the running events in the Ann Arbor area. This one was going to be bigger than all of them.

As Highfield hopped into his car last summer, he was in search of the perfect route for Ann Arbor’s first marathon, which will be run June 17.

The idea wasn’t new. Highfield had a friend try to put one together 10 years ago. After the city rejected the proposal, the idea lay dormant — until last summer.

For Ann Arbor’s biggest running event to come to fruition, it took the tiniest suggestion.

Ann Arbor marathon set to take place in June

What's believed to be Ann Arbor's first-ever marathon is set to happen on June 17, and money raised from the event will support local schools.

The Ann Arbor City Council took action Tuesday night to support closing several streets for the event, which takes place on a Sunday and winds throughout the city.

• Visit the website for the event

The sponsor, Champions for Charity, is raising money through the 26-mile run for the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.