Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Detroit International Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!

Detroit International Half Marathon:  Wake up early, run to Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and then back to the United States through the tunnel all in 13.1 miles.  

On Sunday, October 21st, I had the opportunity to run the Detroit International Half Marathon.  I had such a wonderful time, last year, that I knew that I had to run this race again this year.  So when registration was available, I registered immediately.  Little did I know, then, that I would become a BibRave Pro and have a discount code to offer others to save on the registration.  Regardless, the registration was worth every penny.

Because of my parking concerns, I spent the Saturday night before the race at the Motor City Casino.  The hotel is nice and approximate 1.5 miles away from the start.  The hotel has plenty of food options and easy self-parking.  A shuttle is offered to the start line and back to the hotel, after the race.   

As a BibRave Pro, I was given a behind the scenes tour with Barbara Bennage, Executive Race Director.  It was a crazy busy time for Barbara, but she was able to share information about the thousands of dollars that are spent on port-a-potties, security and to vendors to put the race on.  Also, the thousand of hours of work that is put into covering parking meters, setting up banners, packing finisher bags with snacks and planning the race.

The race was everything I expected it to be.

At approximately mile marker two, runners approach the Ambassador Bridge to cross into Canada.  After five miles, runners enter the tunnel to return to the United States.  After a run through Mexican Town and Corktown, runners cross the beautiful finish at Fort Street and Cass Avenue.

After completion, runners are given their medal a bottle of water and, my favorite, chocolate milk.  After moving further away from the finish, participants receive a bag full of fuel (including a banana, cookies and a cup of fruit).

Getting back to my hotel was a little more difficult, this year, as I was unable to locate the shuttle, which was supposed to pick up every fifteen minutes.  I ended up walking a little over a mile back to the Motor City Casino.  Took a quick shower, checked out and was on my way home, while relaxing my Oofos.

My next half marathon will be the Madison Half on November 11, 2018.  If you are interested in joining, use MMRAVE18 to save on registration.  I am looking forward to cool air and sunny skies in beautiful Wisconsin. 

Save Money on Race Registrations

BibRave Race Discount Codes

BibRave is a running community that connects runners with the best races. It's the place to research races you’re considering signing up for, and a place to leave feedback on races you’ve completed. BibRave is also a way for races and running brands to connect with socially savvy runners - through our popular weekly Twitter chat, #BibChat, and our large ambassador network - BibRave Pros. The list below captures all of the current active BibRave partner race discount codes. Use the codes below to receive discounts on registration for our partner races. Visit https://www.bibrave.com/ for more information and contact info@bibrave.com with any questions!

October 2018

✅10/27/2018- Tulsa Federal Credit Union Tulsa Run- Tulsa, OK

Use code “BIBRAVE18” to save $5!

✅10/28/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Half Marathon!

10/28/2018 - Onward Shay! Boise Marathon - Boise, ID

Use code “BIBRAVE15” for 15% off.

10/31/2018 - Scooby-Doo Run Series: Scoobtober Virtual Run 5K/10K

Use code “BIBRAVE” for 10% off.

November 2018

✅11/3/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah - Savannah, GA
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

11/3/2018 - DAV 5K Kemah - Kemah, TX
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/3/2018 - Mushroom Cap Half Marathon - Kennett Square, PA

Use code “runbibrave” for $10 off!

11/3-4/2018 - Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K - San Francisco, CA

Use code “GGBR10” for 10% off!

✅11/4/2018 - Hot Chocolate Chicago - Chicago, IL

Use code “BRHCChicago” for a free phone armband!

11/4/2018 - DAV 5K Newport News - Newport News, VA
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/4/2018 - DC Wonder Woman Run Series - Los Angeles, CA

Use code “WWBIBRAVE” for 10% off!

11/10/2018 - DAV 5K Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/10/2018 - DAV 5K Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/10-11/2018 - Monterey Bay Half Marathon - Monterey, CA
Use “BIBRAVE10” for $10 off at https://bsim.info/MBHMbibrave

✅11/10-11/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

✅11/11/2018 - Madison Marathon - Madison, WI

Use “MMRAVE18” to save 10% through 11/7 (when online registration closes).

✅11/11/2018 - Honor Run Half Marathon - Florence, KY

Use code “bibrave15” to save $15 on your entry!

✅11/17-18/2018 - Williams Route 66 Marathon - Tulsa, OK

Use code “2018RT66BIBRAVE” for $10 off your entry at https://rt66.run/2018RT66Run

✅11/18/2018 - Hot Chocolate Columbus - Columbus, OH

Use code “BRHCColumbus” for a free phone armband!

11/18/2018 - DC Wonder Woman Run Series - San Diego, CA

Use code “WWBIBRAVE” for 10% off!

✅11/22/2018 - North Shore Turkey Trot - Chicago, IL
Use code “BRTurkeyTrot” to score some bonus RAM Racing sunglasses! Expires two days before race day.

11/22/2018 - Art Van Turkey Trot Chicago - Chicago, IL
Use code “BIBRAVE18” for $5 off!

11/22/2018 - Turkey Day 5K Minneapolis - Minneapolis, MN
Use code “BIBRAVE18” for $5 off!

11/22/2018 - Oakland Turkey Trot 5K
Use code “BROTTVIP” for 10% off!

December 2018

12/1/2018 - K9s United: 9Ks for K9s Apopka - Apopka, FL

Use code “BIBRAVE18” for 10% off!

12/1/2018 - Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run - Savannah, GA

Use code “BIBSAV20” to save 20% off!

✅12/1-2/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

12/2/2018 - Hot Chocolate Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ

Use code “BRHCScotts” for a free phone armband!

12/8-9/2018 - Holiday Half Marathon & 5K Ugly Sweater Run - Ponoma, CA

Use code “HHBR10” for 10% off!

12/9/2018 - BCS Marathon + Half Marathon - College Station, TX
Use code “BCSRAVE2018” for 15% off!

12/9/2018 - Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI

Use code “HNLBR2018” for 10% off.

12/9/2018 - Hot Chocolate St. Louis - St. Louis, MO

Use code “BRHCSTL” for a free phone armband!

12/16/2018 - Hot Chocolate Tampa - Tampa, FL

Use code “BRHCTampa18” for a free phone armband!

✅12/16/2018 - Mount Dora Half Marathon - Mount Dora, FL
Use code “BIBRAVE10” to save 10% off on your race entry!

January 2019

1/12/2019 - Southern California Half Marathon & 5K - Irvine, CA

Use code “BRSCVIP” for 10% off!

1/13/2019 - Hot Chocolate San Francisco - San Francisco, CA

Use code “BRHCSanFran” for a free phone armband!

1/19/2019 -  Hot Chocolate Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

Use code “BRHCCharlotte” for a free phone armband!

1/27/2019 - Fitbit Miami Marathon and Half Marathon - Miami, FL

Use code “BIBRAVE19” for $10 off the full & half (includes the combo options of full + 5K, half + 5K etc.) and $5 for the Tropical 5K alone.

February 2019

2/1-3/2019 - Surf City Marathon & Half Marathon - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “SCMBR10” for 10% off!

2/3/2019 - Hot Chocolate Houston - San Jose, CA

Use code “BIBRAVE” for $3 off!

2/3/2019 - San Jose 408K - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “SCMBR10” for 10% off!

2/9/2019 - Hot Chocolate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Use code “BRHCDallas” for a free phone armband!

2/9/2019 - Hot Chocolate Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

Use code “BRHCCharlotte” for a free phone armband!

2/9-10/2019 - Daytona Beach Half Marathon

Use code “DBHMRAVE19” for 10% off the half, half relay or challenges. This code is good until 1/31/2019.

2/16/2019 - Hot Chocolate Nashville - Nashville, TN

Use code “BRHCNashville” for a free phone armband!

2/17/2019 - Hot Chocolate Atlanta - Atlanta, GA

Use code “BRHCAtlanta” for a free phone armband!

March 2019

3/3/2019 - Livermore Valley Half Marathon & 5K - Livermore, CA

Use code “BRLIVVIP” for 10% off!

3/3/2019 - Hot Chocolate Seattle - Seattle, WA

Use code “BRHCSeattle” for a free phone armband!

3/3/2019 - Portland Shamrock Run - Portland, OR

Use code “SHAMROCKBR10” for 10% off!

3/15-17/2019  - Tobacco Road Marathon & Half Marathon - Cary, NC

3/17/2019  - Tobacco Road Marathon & Half Marathon - Cary, NC
Use code “trmrave19” for $20 off!

3/24/2019 - Hot Chocolate San Diego - San Diego, CA

Use code “BRHCSanDiego” for a free phone armband!

3/30/2019 - Hot Chocolate Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN

Use code “BRHCIndy” for a free phone armband!

3/31/2019 - Philadelphia Love Run Half Marathon - Philadelphia, PA

Use code “LOVEBR10” for 10% off!

April 2019

4/6/2019 - Hot Chocolate Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Use code “BRHCPhilly” for a free phone armband!

4/6/2019 - Publix Savannah Women's Half & 5K - Savannah, GA

Use code “BIBSAV20” for 20% off!

4/7/2019 - Statesman Cap10K - Austin, TX

Use code “BibRave2019Cap10K” for $5 off!

4/25-27/2019 -  IL Marathon- Champaign-Urbana, IL

Use code “bibraveillinois2019” for $5 off!

4/28/2019 - New Jersey Marathon - Oceanport, NJ

Use code “NJMBIBRAVE19” for $5 off any distance (5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Marathon Relay).

4/28/2019 - Silicon Valley Half Marathon - Oceanport, NJ

Use code “BIBRAVE” for 10% off!

May 2019

5/25/2019 - Run Madtown presented by SSM Health

Use code “RAVENSAVE” for 10% off (excludes kid's race).

5/26/2019 - Vermont City Marathon - Burlington, VT

Use code “BibRave10” for $10 off!

August 2019

8/11/2019 - Oaktown Half Marathon - Oakland, CA

Use code “BROAKVIP” for 10% off.

Bellin Women's Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Bellin Women's Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews.

A few months back, I convinced a girlfriend to run the Bellin Women’s Half Marathon as her first half marathon.  She agreed and accompanied me to Green Bay, Wisconsin from Detroit, Michigan this past Friday afternoon.  The flight was quick and we were able to check-in to our hotel immediately upon arrival.

Packet Pick Up was a breeze and trading for a larger hoodie was simple.  There were opportunities to sample products, buy last minute running necessities (including shoes, socks and headbands) and an area to make encouraging signs.  The packet pick-up bag was a one-of-a-kind design that also served as the gear check bag for those that needed dry and warmer clothes at the finish. 

The pasta dinner was crazy empowering as the keynote speaker was Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run.  Other speakers included Chris Woleske, President and CEO of Bellin Health, and Linda Maxwell Race Director, who were so encouraging.

The race started in front of the Hyatt Regency Green Bay, less than a block from the KI Convention Center and immediately took runners up a bridge (not too bad of an incline) and across the Fox River.  Runners then ran down Broadway, which seemed to be pretty industrial, but the reward came around mile seven, when we crossed the Fox River again and started running on the Fox River Trail.  The race was well supported by groups such as Girls on the Run and there were a few different radio stations that provided much needed spirit at certain mile markers.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of spectators and supporters (most of which seemed to be husbands, boyfriends, sons, brothers and children). 

Before crossing the finish line, I had the opportunity to run by the Race Director Linda Maxwell and thank her for putting on a great event and that was before I even experienced the finish party!  Talk about a way to celebrate an accomplishment:  Non-alcoholic champagne, chocolate milk, water, salad pitas, cookies, strawberry shortcake and chocolate all included for finishers!  Wow!  There was even a great set up for pictures, which was much nicer than the regular simple backdrop banner. 

For use after the race, an injury hotline Bellin Women’s Half Marathon Injury Hotline.

Overall, I am so thankful that this was my friend’s first half marathon race as I believe she experienced everything that a half marathon should be and she rocked it.

The theme of this year’s Bellin Women’s Half was determined and I am determined to have other runners join me in this healthy adventure towards making new friends and burning more calories.

I encourage you to mark your calendar for a trip to Green Bay, WI for October 5, 2019!

Bring On the Fall Running

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Bellin Women's Half Marathon race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews."

In a little over a week, I will be running the Bellin Women's Half Marathon in Green Bay, Wisconsin and I am so looking forward to a nice, fall run. 

I participated in the Detroit Women's Half a couple of weekends ago, but I am ready for a real fall half!  Please do not misunderstand, the half was a wonderful event, but it was hot and I am ready for a crisp fall morning half, which is what I am hoping for in Green Bay in a week(ish).

I convinced a friend to fly to Wisconsin with me and run the Bellin Women's Half.  I am so excited for her as it will be her first half marathon and she has been training (completely without me) like a champ.  Her name is Becky and you should know that she, like me, was not a runner, growing up.  She started running in 2007, after her mom passed away and she realized that she needed to get healthy for her three kids.  She started walking on her treadmill and, as a result of thinking it would take forever to get stronger just by walking, started running.  In 2008, she ran her first 5K.  She credits running with saving her as she raised three kids and survived a nasty divorce.  She has since participated in many 5K runs, the 10 Mile CRIM, and, just last week, a team half marathon.

Becky recently got a new job, which now puts an hour and a half of drive time each weekday into her schedule.  I know that she has been struggling to get the miles in, but I also know that she will be fine on race day!

Becky and I met a little over a year ago, while we both served on the board of Girls on the Run of Mid Michigan.  Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that is creatively integrated into training to run a 5K.  I still serve on the board, but Becky is now the Program Coordinator.  What is going to make our weekend even more fun is that the night before we run our half, at the pasta dinner, we will hear Molly Barker, the founder of Girls on the Run International speak! 

This year’s finisher medallion:  A custom two-part piece highlights the Bellin logo, as well as this year’s theme, “Determined.” An awesome way to celebrate our accomplishment — long after we cross that finish line.



Interested in joining us for the Bellin Women's Half Marathon?  Just visit this site and use "Bibrave5" to save $5.

Review: The Great Pumpkin Run Lansing

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to The Great Pumpkin Run (Lansing) as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews.

It was an absolutely beautiful and cool fall morning, on September 8, 2018, when I ran the Great Pumpkin 5K at Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's, Michigan. The cider mill offered a nice cross country style route over grassy areas through apple orchards, cornfields, pumpkin patches, woods and across the finish line. 

As a result of peer pressure, I decide that I would join my fellow BibRave Pros and run the Tough Pumpkin, which was the Great Pumpkin 5K with the additional challenge of carrying a pumpkin, during the run. Online registration was smooth (www.runsignup.com) and packet pick up was a breeze, because I arrived the suggested two hours before the start. The race email indicated that lines would get long an hour before the race so participants were encouraged to get to the location early to obtain their bib, race packet and pumpkin (if applicable). I am glad I followed this warning as I did notice that the registration tent did get a little congested, closer to the race.

 

Tough Pumpkin participants had the choice between a small, medium or large pumpkin to carry while running the beautiful 5K course. I carefully chose a "small" pumpkin, it was weighed and I was on my way to the start line. One would not think a little 4.5lbs pumpkin would be too bad to carry for 30 minutes (generally, what it takes me to run a 5K), but I struggle carrying my phone for a mile so I knew I had a challenge ahead of me!

 

I wore my FlipBelt Crops, which allowed me to stash my phone in my front and secure my keys with the inside clasp, while I carried the pumpkin. I tried to switch arms, but I carried the pumpkin in my dominant, right hand. The next day, my bicep was screaming at me! 

The completion lightweight tech hoodie that runners received with their bib will serve as a great addition to my fall wardrobe and a fun conversation starter. 

The Tough Pumpkin 5K is probably the closest to an obstacle race I will ever run and I had a blast! The environment was so supportive and friendly and once I completed the race, I ran up to the mill to purchase a gallon of cider and 1/2 a dozen donuts to take home! This is a must do race to start fall racing season!