Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K: Women Run the D Run/Walk

DETROIT WOMEN'S HALF MARATHON • 10K • 5K

The Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K event was created by women for women. All women, of all ages, of all abilities. First-time racers and experienced marathoners. The young and the young at heart. Join your sisters and celebrate your strength, your beauty, your inner grace… everything that makes you the goddess you are! The Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K is walker-friendly!

Bibs
You will be given a "bib" at packet pickup.  Your timing chip is the flat white/silver sticker on the back of your bib - do not take it off! 
You will be given 4 safety pins to affix the bib to the front of your shirt. See photo above!

Race Results
There are several ways to get your results after the race.
QR Code: You will notice a QR code on the front of your bib. You can scan this shortly after finishing the race to see your results.
Results Page: Check results at www.womenrunthed.com.
Text Messaging: During the registration process you were asked for your phone number to have your results texted to you after crossing the finish line.  If you skipped this step, you can add it to your registration now.

If you finished 1st place overall or in the top 5 of your age group, head over to the awards table to pick up your award!

Get ready to kick off race weekend in style at the Detroit Women’s Half Marathon Expotique! Join us on Saturday, September 20th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Eastern Market (1948 Division Street, Ste. 105, Detroit, MI 48207) for a fun-filled afternoon. Pick up your race packet, shop exclusive Women Run the D merchandise, and local favorites like Run Detroit and Rebel Nell. Make it a weekend to remember by staying in our official room block at the Marriott Renaissance Center and enjoy all that the “D” has to offer before race morning.

Save the stress and grab your packet at the Expotique on Saturday! If you can’t make it, race day pickup will be available race day, but will take extra time.  You may pick up for a friend!

Saturday, September 20 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. → Eastern Market, 1948 Division Street, Ste. 105, Detroit, MI 48207 (Expotique + packet pickup + shopping!)

Sunday, September 21 | 6:30 – 7:45 a.m. → Race day packet pickup (limited, at the start line area)

Gear Check Available at the Start Line

We’ll have a secure Gear Check area by the start line for your convenience. Drop your items before the race and pick them up easily after you finish. Please use the provided 16 x 20 bag and label for quick and efficient pickup.

Each participant will receive a shirt in unisex or fitted sizing and each finisher will receive a custom finisher medal!

What is an Epic Heart Hero?

An Epic Heart Hero is a woman who has come back from a heart issue, has taken control of her health, and refuses to let her heart condition stop her. She approaches life with passion and strength, as she knows too well how short life can be. She embraces a healthful lifestyle, knows the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and takes action to minimize that risk. She helps educate others about these risk factors so that they too can take control of their heart health.
Our Heart Heroes will serve as spokespeople for the American Heart Association and the Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, and represent the Epic Heart Heroes at the Women Run the D Expotique on race weekend and participate in the races on race day.

Nominations for this year's Epic Heart Heroes are now being accepted! Click here to nominate a Heart Hero.

Meet the 2022 Epic Heart Heroes:

Kristy Sidlar
We all have dates burned into our memories – our parents’ birthdays. Our wedding anniversary. The birthdates of our children. But the dates I remember most vividly are the dates when I almost died. 

The first was April 14, 1996, when I was teaching a fitness class and collapsed in front of my students. Fortunately, my blackout only lasted a handful of minutes and by the time the EMTs arrived, everything appeared to be fine. 

The second time was on my 31st birthday – Halloween, 1999. I was training for a triathlon, by myself, with no cell phone, lying on the side of the road fading in and out of consciousness for 45 minutes. Another cyclist finally came by and called the paramedics. My heart was shocked back to a normal rhythm from its peak rate of 280 beats per minute. 

This was when I was formally diagnosed with a rare heart condition and was told that the first symptom of my condition is often sudden death. I was again spared. My condition, however, was progressive and worsened through intense exercise.  I was told my lifestyle had to change significantly.  This was a hard pill to swallow, but I knew in my gut that cutting back on something I loved meant sustaining my life for a longer period of time. 

There were other close encounters with death, but my most incredible evasion was due to a gift from a selfless organ donor when on March 11, 2021, she passed life to me in the form of a healthy new heart. 

My recovery was better than expected due to a multitude of factors – mainly a positive attitude, a focus on six core dimensions of wellness, and of course great medical care through Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

On the six-month anniversary of my transplant, I completed the women Run the D 5k – my first in over 20 years.  At my one-year mark, I complete that elusive triathlon, running across the finish line hand-in-hand with my 79-year-old mom.

During my first year post-transplant, I wrote a book called Change of Heart: My Journey of Transplantation, Revelation, and Transformation. I love telling my story, and I am always so grateful when a reader contacts me to tell me they made an appointment to check their heart health or that someone printed out my Wellness Widget and made commitments to better emotional health or social wellness or financial stability. 

My last 25 years have been far from smooth, but I have learned some very valuable lessons and hope to continue to inspire people to take action and make changes for a more fulfilling life and a healthier  

Lauren Steele
At age 50, I thought I was doing a pretty good job of taking care of myself.  Sure, I enjoyed Nutella on my ice cream occasionally, but I generally ate healthful foods and I wasn’t a couch potato.  However, in January 2021, I became a heart patient.  The first sign of trouble was when I was doing my morning interval workout.  I had to stop after only 10 minutes because I was much more winded than usual.  

A few days later while I was completely sedentary, I began to experience symptoms out of the blue.  My blood pressure reading was 10 points higher than usual, I felt flushed and light-headed, and my chest felt like a big dog was sitting on it.  At the ER, they ran every test they could think of, and all the results came back normal except the BNP was a little high.  Thankfully the ER doctor ordered a treadmill stress test.  When that showed some irregularities, a catheterization was scheduled and I received a stent.  During the first few months of recovery, I had unstable angina and symptoms I did not understand.  I was afraid to climb stairs, I had no idea what activities were safe for me.  After what seemed like forever, I was admitted to a cardiac rehab program.  Upon completion, I noted that the certificate of achievement did not congratulate me for an accomplishment, it set out some expectations.  It said, “certificate valid only with continued dedication and commitment to positive lifestyle changes in the areas of exercise, nutrition, and stress.”  I have fully embraced that, as I have many adventures ahead of me.  After only 2 months post-rehab, I went on a 3-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters wilderness.  This year I spent 5 days backpacking in Yosemite National Park.  I am truly living my best life.

CLICK HERE FOR AMANDA ALLEN

Beth Rust
My name is Beth Rust.  I teach Human Physiology to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan.  I went from being a lean and fit Division I varsity athlete from ages 18-22 to being obese and having a heart attack at age 55.  Despite a family history of coronary artery disease, the fact that my dad had a heart attack at 46 years old, and the fact that I knew my weight and lack of exercise put me at risk, I just didn’t take the time to prioritize my heart and overall health.  In August of 2019, I finally decided to try to get working on my health and I lost about 15 pounds, but then the pandemic restrictions hit. I maintained a stable weight, so I was feeling pretty good about myself until I got my wake-up call. Beginning on March 6, 2021, I had 4 episodes of exertional chest pain that got worse each time.  The chest pain, tightness, and breathlessness would occur when I increased my exercise intensity but then improve once I slowed down. The 4th time was really bad, so after consulting a nurse at my PCP’s office (yes, I called my doctor’s office instead of 911- not my brightest moment), my husband drove me to the hospital.  Elevated troponin levels indicated a heart attack, and a stent was placed in my left anterior descending artery to correct a 90% blockage (if you look it up, this is the one they call the widow-maker, and sexist name aside, I was totally freaked out).

It's now been 17 months.  I did 8 weeks of cardiac rehab and am a huge fan of the process.  The exercise therapists, dieticians, and social workers helped me learn more about controlling my stress and my eating (I’m now a big fan of mindfulness) and gave me a monitored space in which I could safely increase my exercise intensity over time.  I’ve lost 22 pounds and am no longer obese.  My cholesterol levels are awesome now!  Education is a huge part of who I am, which is why I was honored to be invited to share my story as a “heart hero”.  It’s important to improve awareness that females do have heart attacks and that they can occur at well below the “average age” for either sex (~65 for men and ~72 for women). If my story makes a difference to even one person, then the whole process has been worth it.

Risa Kirschner
In 2003, I was 29 and pregnant with my second child.  My daughter Alli was 2 at the time.  Feeling ill due to what I thought was the pregnancy, I went to my local hospital.  It was there they discovered I had an atrial myxoma, a heart tumor.  I was sent by helicopter to Ann Arbor, where I spent almost two months at the University of Michigan hospitals.  My unborn daughter did not survive the trauma, but I was told that had I not been pregnant, the tumor would not have been found and there was a good chance I would have died.  I entered the hospital the first week of November and went home Christmas Day, on the heart transplant list with an LVAD implanted in my body.  I was and remain very lucky.  My heart healed and I did not have a heart transplant.  Two months after leaving the hospital, the LVAD was removed.   At one of my follow-up doctor appointments, I asked the doctor what I was supposed to do now that I had survived such a traumatic experience.  He said I should go and live my life.

19 years later, that is exactly what I have done.  I have treasured every single second spent with Alli, who is a senior at Michigan State University.  I don't take a single day or my health for granted and try to live life to the fullest.  I had been given a second chance and wanted to give back to those who made it possible and to help others who might be going through a similar experience.  This led me to my many volunteer experiences at U of M, contributing a chapter to two separate books and writing my own children's book based on Alli's experience visiting me in the hospital, entitled Feel Better, Mommy.  I love spending time with my family and friends and am grateful to be able to travel to amazing places and do amazing things.  I am honored to be selected as a Heart Hero and continue to share my story.  

This is what Dr. Dyke wrote, which specifically mentions many U of M docs:

Risa is an amazing woman, and her story, equally amazing. In November of 2003, while half way through a pregnancy, she developed breathlessness and was seen in a local hospital where she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated and transferred to the University of Michigan and found to have a large tumor in her left atrium (an atrial myxoma). This was obstructing blood flow through her heart. She was emergently taken to the operating room, and under the expertise of Dr. Michael Deeb, the tumor was successfully removed. Unfortunately, her heart had suffered substantial injury, and a few days later, under the direction of Dr. Robert Bartlett, she needed to be placed on ECMO (extracorporeal life support). This sustained her for several days, but due to ongoing substantial heart dysfunction, she went back to the operating room where she underwent implantation with a HeartMate left ventricular assist device as a means to support her circulation while awaiting cardiac transplantation. The right side of her heart also required temporary support with an external Abiomed pump. This surgery was performed by Dr. Francis Pagani, with the assistance of Dr. Martin Spoor (who, on June 4th of 2007, tragically lost his life in a survival flight crash while retrieving lungs for another patient). Shortly thereafter, the Abiomed pump was able to be removed, and she went home with her left heart being supported with the internal HeartMate pump while awaiting a heart transplant.
 
Incredibly, her heart recovered. Completely. A heart transplant would not be needed! On 02/27/2004, again under the surgical expertise of Dr. Francis Pagani, the HeartMate pump was able to be removed. She spent the next several months recovering and rehabilitating.
 
Today, her heart function remains normal, and Risa is a very active individual! In September of 2022, she will participate, as an official Ambassador, in the "WOMEN RUN THE 'D'" series of races. This event is specifically to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. Those of us who have participated in her care over the years are incredibly proud of her remarkable achievements!

Jamie Lalond
Starting almost two years I started to experience chest pain that compromised my QOL.  I found myself not able to walk even the short distance from the car to my office without breaks. I have always been heavier, but always active, completing several half-marathons.  I had a stress test that was normal.  I was told to manage my anxiety, lose weight, change nursing positions with my daughter, take muscle relaxers..Tylenol…Motrin…get weekly massages, acupuncture, was sent to physical therapy, told to take more hot baths and finally accept I might need to learn to live with it as in my head.  I ended up in desperation going for a second opinion with a new cardiologist and she sent me for another test and finally a cardiac cath.  I had several heart blockages with one being at 100% and a second at 80%…they almost couldn’t do the three stents I ended up having placed.  I was 39.  I have two young kids.  I have a spouse who really couldn’t live without me!  Our culture and society are not set up for ease of taking care of our health and well-being.  It’s not easy to run a family, afford life and make time for proper stress management, good sleep, exercise that matters and self-care.  We especially lack access and education for affordable and wholesome nutritious food, instead having foods that support epidemics like obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  In addition I’ve spent my whole career in healthcare helping others navigate the system.   The last year and a half I found myself facing a disease commonly found in the residents and patients I work with.  Coronary Artery Disease…100% heart blockages and stents at 39.  This challenges me to look at how we advocate for people of all ages as we face disease processes commonly seen in older adults affecting people younger and younger.  Advocacy and education on self-care and healthy habits and lifestyles and most of all women’s heart health. 

Click here to nominate a 2023 Epic Heart Hero!
 

WHY RACE ALONE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO?
SHARE RACE DAY WITH YOUR SUPPORTING FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Follow the instructions below or view the tutorial video at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions,  check out the RaceJoy website for additional support!

To get started, please download the RaceJoy app from the App Store or GooglePlay.

When you have downloaded the app, open it and look for the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon.  We have set up the tracking for all distances.

IMPORTANT: In order for tracking to work, the runner must carry their phone with them on race day with the RaceJoy app running and the tracking enabled!

FOR RUNNERS
To setup your phone as a race participant to be tracked by someone, select the “I Want To Be Tracked” option.

PROFILE SETUP

• Create a RaceJoy profile using the same information that you submitted when you registered for the race
  Select which course you are doing and enter your BIB number when prompted (if you do not have your BIB number yet, you can choose the BIB pending option)
• Select your name in the list to link your RaceJoy profile to your race registration
• Confirm your profile

TRACKING SETUP

• Confirm that the device you are using is the device you will be carrying with you along the course on race day
• Setup the options you want for tracking (GPS Progress & Audio Alerts are on by default), if you choose the Facebook and Twitter options, you will need to grant access to RaceJoy to post on your behalf
• Test your tracking to see if your device is connecting with RaceJoy

You can share on social media and send personal invitations to family & friends to track you on race day!

SPECIAL NOTES FOR RELAY TEAMS
Team Set Up:

-All need to carry their own phone and click “I Want to Be Tracked” upon initial set up. Follow the prompts.

-Select “Relay Course” option in course selection section.

-Sign up with team or add team to list, if not shown.Relay Team START: ALL push START MY RACE as the first team member crosses the start line.

-Each team member clicks their own ”Start My Race” button in RaceJoy. In order to receive more accurate progress updates, ALL click this when the first member crosses the start line. Team members not present at the start line can click “Start My Race” when they get the alert that the first member has started the race.

Verify Proper Team Set Up:

-Click the More button on race page in RaceJoy.

-Click Profile: If you do not see your team name at the top of the screen, redo your setup by clicking your name and following the Team Set Up
TIPS

• Make sure that your Location Services are ALWAYS ON for RaceJoy
• Make sure that Background App Refresh is ON for RaceJoy
• Make sure that WiFi is turned off on your phone on race day so that tracking is not interrupted with your device seeking out wireless networks
  ________________________________________________

FOR SPECTATORS
To setup your phone as a spectator who is tracking a runner, select the “I Want To Track Someone” option.

ADDING RUNNERS TO TRACK

• Confirm that the person you want to track or Send-a-Cheer to has RaceJoy setup by searching their name or BIB number
• Select the user from the list by clicking the plus icon

PROFILE SETUP

• Create a spectator login by entering YOUR name and email address – DO NOT ENTER THE RUNNER’S INFORMATION!
• Confirm your profile information

TRACKING SETUP

• Select the alerts you want to receive on your device from the runner you are tracking
  

You are now ready to track your runner on race day!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS PLUS A VIDEO

2026 Hotel Information 

The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is pleased to offer a special room rate of
$229.00/night 

all reservations must be made no later than August 28th at 4:59 p.m. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ROOM

Location

Taking sophistication and service to new heights, the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center rises above the conventional with a dramatic presence in the Motor City's skyline. Conveniently connected to all that's important in downtown Detroit by the city's People Mover, there's no better choice for the Detroit-bound business, leisure and meeting guests. Come view for yourself.

Premier convention hotel
Ideal location in the heart of downtown, on the Riverwalk
Located in the GM Renaissance Center with shops, a movie theater, dining and automotive exhibit
Connected to Detroit's People Mover
Dramatic views of the river, Canada, Ambassador Bridge or city skyline from every renovated guest room
Close to sports arenas, casinos, restaurants and attractions
Hotel Information
70 Floors of guest rooms and 27 meeting rooms with 100,000 sq. ft. total meeting space.
Check-in: 4:00 PM; Check-out: 11:00 AM
Onsite parking available for $25.00 USD per day (subject to change)
Valet parking available $40.00 USD (subject to change)

Location: The bridge to enter the beautiful Belle Isle State Park is at the intersection of Jefferson Ave and East Grand Blvd. 

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

The start/finish line is at the Scott Memorial Fountain, Sunset Dr, Detroit, MI. Parking is conveniently located in a large lot beside the start/finish area.  

There is plenty of parking on Belle Isle!

Belle Isle is a Michigan state park. All vehicles that enter any Michigan state park will need a Recreation Passport. The Recreation Passport is your key to accessing state parks and recreation areas, boating access sites, state forest campgrounds, thousands of miles of trails, and other outdoor spaces – all year long!

The state's parks and recreation system is largely self-supporting. Funds derived from the Recreation Passport go right back into maintaining and improving the outdoor spaces we all love, and protecting natural resources for the next generation.

Check “YES“ for the Recreation Passport when you renew your license plate through the Secretary of State.

Please CLICK HERE for current rates and information.

Saturday, September 20, 2025 
11:00 AM — Packet Pick-Up opens
4:00 PM — Packet Pick-Up closes

Sunday, September 21, 2025

6:30 AM — Packet Pick-Up opens 

7:30 AM — Pre-Race Warm-Up

7:45 AM — Packet Pick-Up closes

7:45 AM — Line up 

7:50 AM — National Anthem

7:55 AM — Kids Run

8:00 AM — Handcycle/Wheelchair Start

8:10 AM — 10K/Half Marathon Start

8:20AM — 5K Start

9:00 AM — Post-race party begins

9:00 AM — 5K Awards 

10:00 AM — 10K Awards 

10:20 AM — Half Marathon Awards

12:00 PM — Course and post-race party close

Packets: All packets will be mailed Monday after the race unless you choose to pick yours up at the expotique.

Where to run or walk: You may walk or run any course any time you wish.  

Submitting your results: Virtual racing is all about doing it your way so it is not mandatory to submit your results, but we do encourage it… just for fun!  To submit your results, please CLICK HERE.  You may also click the RESULTS tab at the top of www.womenrunthed.com. 

All courses are subject to change at any time at the race director's discretion.
Click on maps to be taken to the Strava interactive map.  

5K

10K

13.1

In addition to our three distances, Women Run the D features two special family-awards divisions:

Mother/Daughter
Three Generations of Women

The family that runs together has fun together. After all, what better way to show family pride — female pride — than showing everyone how your family’s women RUN the D? 

Participating in these divisions will NOT preclude you from the regular age-group awards. These divisions are in addition to the age-group awards, so be sure to sign up when you register: one mother and one daughter for the Mother/Daughter division, and one grandmother, one mother, and one daughter for the Three Generations of Women award (note: all family-awards participants must be racing the same distance, eg. everyone doing the 5K).

We have fun awards for age group, overall, and special categories!

13.1, 10K, 5K
1st Place Overall
1st Place Masters
Top 5 in each age group

5K Age Groups:
8 and under, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

10K Age Groups:
12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

13.1 Age Groups:
12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

MOTHER DAUGHTER, 3 GENERATION
& LARGEST TEAM AWARDS
Mother/Daughter and 3-Gen: 1st Place Overall

The event is a Leave No Trace event. Learn more about our race-day recycling and composting efforts here. Want more information about running a great race and leaving no trace? Click HERE to see our 2018 solid waste report. 

Looking for some extra support in your goal to finish the Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K or 5K? Are you looking to run a personal best? The Epic Pace Team will help you meet your performance goals!

We are proud to provide pacers for 10K through the marathon distance with our Epic Pacers! They will be available for the following distances:

5K – :21, :24, :27, :30, :33, and :36 total finish time

10K – :42, :48, :54, 1:00, 1:06, and 1:12 total finish time

13.1 – 1:35, 1:45, 2 hours, 2:15, 2:30 total finish time

How will I find the Epic Pacers on race day?

The pacers will be at the start line 15 minutes before the start of the race. This will give you a chance to talk to them, learn more about the plan for pacing, and ask any questions you might have. They will be holding signs with their goal pace and finish time and will be wearing a Epic Pacer uniform. 

Why should I run with a Epic Pacer?

The Epic Pacers are set up to help you reach your goal time in the race. The pacers have been selected from a pool of applicants and proved themselves to be excellent at this job. These runners have volunteered to run with you, cheer you on, and inspire you to get to your goal. 

How will I know which pace group is right for me?

The pace groups are assigned different finish times, to meet the goals of different runners. To determine your own goal time, use your past races, recent training runs, and current fitness. A good rule of thumb for beginners is to start at the pace of the longest run that you did during your race build-up. You can then accelerate during the later stages of the race if you find this pace is too easy.  If you aren't sure how to match up your pace with your goal finish time, you can use this pace predictor to help choose your group.