Detroit made its name in the last century as the capital of car manufacturing in the United States. But what drove my trip to Detroit was a different mode of transportation. Running. The Detroit Free Press hosts an annual international half marathon, which in the world of running is a pretty cool thing.
There’s also a marathon, a domestic half marathon (Motor City), a 5K and a one mile run. It’s a whole weekend of foot powered events.
This was the first race I needed a passport to enter. In fact, you have to carry it with you. The half marathon goes over the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ontario, then back under the Detroit River via the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
More than a Race
But running the race involves much more than the two hours or so you are actually running. You need to eat, of course, and the wealth of restaurants makes it easy. For carbo-loading pre-race, pizza is a great choice.
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We went to Niki’s in Greektown, for Greek inspired Detroit style pizza. Our square pizza had feta cheese, along with mozzarella. I added mushrooms and spinach for more veggies. Like classic Detroit pizza, the tomato sauce was on top, to keep the crust crispy.
Staying Active
We wanted to take a walking tour, but the thousands of other runners filled all the spots. So we crafted our own tour of fabulously restored historic buildings. We started with our hotel, the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. Built in 1924, the hotel was the height of elegance and it retains its luster. On the ground floor, artifacts and information fill a room with hotel and local history. Lou Gehrig was staying here in 1939 when he didn’t feel well. He ended his streak of consecutive games and soon retired from the Yankees.
The hotel also has a large gym, an indoor pool for triathlon training, and a hot tub for resting weary muscles.
More to See
Across the street from the Book Cadillac is the glorious Book Tower. This historic building includes a hotel, apartments, and a rooftop bar.
The Guardian Building, an Art Deco masterpiece built for a bank, is a National Historic Landmark. You can see the majestic marble lobby, with a mosaic and vaulted ceiling, without paying for a tour.
The Fisher Building and the Detroit Public Library are also spectacular buildings, easily reached by the Q line. This free streetcar runs on Woodward Avenue connecting Downtown Detroit with Midtown.
The main branch of the Detroit Public Library opened in 1921. The Italian Renaissance building is a cathedral to the written word.
The Fisher Building, an office building that also contains the Fisher Theatre, is nicknamed “World’s Largest Art object”. The lobby is a riot of fresco ceilings, marble walls, bronze doors, and art deco chandeliers.
Just walking to and around the historic buildings in Detroit, and along the RiverWalk, I clocked over 40,000 steps in two days. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
On Two Wheels
Detroit has a bike share program, MoGo, and a growing network of bike lanes. What it doesn’t have – and this is a bonus – is tons of e-bikes, e-scooters and mopeds zipping around the bike lanes and sidewalks. I had peaceful rides on the bikes. And unlike CitiBike in New York, there are no pedal-assist bikes. You have to use your legs to move. If you want to bike longer, Wheelhouse Detroit rents hybrid bikes and has guided tours.
I rode on the Dequindre Cut, a below-grade greenway that cuts through downtown Detroit. There is ample room for runners, walkers and cyclists. I started at Eastern Market, the huge public market where you can find lots of local produce.
The Dequindre Cut leads to The Detroit RiverWalk. The riverfront path connects several neighborhoods and parks. The whole time I was in Detroit, this was a hub of activity, with families biking, kids using playgrounds, locals walking dogs, and runners getting in more miles. Since the half marathon didn’t go along here, I just HAD to run there.
On the Water
In warm weather, you can go out on a sailboat or take a guided kayak tour. Detroit River Sports offers guided kayak or paddleboard tours, seasonally. I have my eye on a ‘Paddle to Table’ sunset kayaking trip with dinner after.
Michigan Adventures
The inspirational Outdoor Adventure Center lets you experience outdoor Michigan activities via simulators and interactive exhibits. You can walk behind an indoor waterfall, and try out mountain biking or snowmobiling. There is a kayak simulator, a tree to climb and a rope suspension bridge you can walk across.
I’m looking forward to my next Detroit adventure, when the Gordie Howe International Bridge will allow you to bike into Canada.
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