Press Release - Detroit Free Press Marathon - 4/16/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                         Contact: Patricia Ball 
                                  Race Director/Detroit Free Press Marathon
                                  734-769-2926 (office)
                                  patriciaball@comcast.net

         27th Annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon
                 to be run Sunday, October 24, 2004

Detroit, Michigan - The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon will 
again be run on US and Canadian soil.  The official racecourse for the 
26.2- mile event incorporates both the Ambassador Bridge and the 
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, allowing participants to cross borders for the 
twenty-fifth time in the race's twenty-seven year history and run an 
underwater mile. The race will begin at the main gates of Comerica Park and
finish inside Ford Field near the fifty-yard line.  

New For 2004 -- we are offering a half marathon -- 13.1-mile distance. 
The new half-marathon is an international event crossing US and Canadian 
borders twice.

This is also the second year for the kidMILES program.  KidMILES is a group 
of inner-city Detroit elementary students who will participate in the 5K 
portion of the day's events.  These children are learning the benefits of 
healthy active living through the support of Detroit Free Press, St. John 
Health and Providence Athletic Medicine. 

A health and fitness expo will kick off the events leading up to race day.
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, the expo will begin Friday, October 22 at
Cobo Hall from 3 to 8 pm and again from 10 am to 7 pm Saturday.
Participants will be able to register for the marathon, half marathon and 
5K events, collect their runner packets, browse through exhibitors booths.  
The expo is open to the public and admission is free.

Runners from more than 35 countries will participate in this sanctioned 
qualifying race for entry into the Boston Marathon.  We are proud to have 
the participation of the world's top elite runners as well as first time 
marathoners.  Detroit offers something for everyone.

All of the events during marathon weekend are endorsed by the State of 
Michigan Governor's office.   

                                ######

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, presented by Greektown 
Casino is an annual 26.2-mile road race certified by the US Track and Field 
Association.  The Marathon is owned by the Detroit Free Press. Flagstar 
Bank is the title sponsor and has been affiliated with the race since 1998.
The 2004 event marks the 27th year and is expected to draw close to 5000 
participants.  The Marathon features six divisions: marathon (26.2-miles), 
half marathon (13.1-miles), Wright & Filippis Wheelchair and Hand Cycle
Competition (26.2-miles), Walking Division (26.2-miles), Reebok Team Relays
(2 and 5 person teams- 26.2-miles), and Compuware 5K Fun Run and Fitness 
Walk (3.2-miles).  Prize money is awarded in each of these divisions except 
the 5K run/walk. The total purse for the event is more than $30,000.

For more information, contact Patricia Ball at 734-769-2926 or by email: 
patriciaball@comcast.net or online at www.freep.com/marathon