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High School Cross County Coach Wins Detroit Marathon

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A cross country coach from Milford High School has won the men's division of the Detroit marathon, while an ex-Grand Valley State distance runner has taken the women's title.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mike Andersen of Walled Lake finished in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 54 seconds Sunday morning at the 37th Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon. It's run on the streets of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, with two border crossings.

Andersen caught Zachary Ornelas of Ann Arbor in the last few hundred yards to lead the field of thousands.

But not everyone who participated was a professional runner.

Marathon Douglas Kenyon (TLee)
Douglas Kenyon.

One runner, Douglas Kenyon, says the marathon was a chance for him to maintain his health.

"I had my transplant about two years ago and I guess I just don't want to stop - I just enjoy the feel of the run," said Kenyon.

Mark Blazejewski of Armada was able to combine running and workplace commeraderie.

"I work with some people at a hospital downtown ... and they came up with the idea of running the marathon together in a relay so I thought I would give it a shot. It would be good for me, I like, love working with these people and it would be a good time," said Blazejewski.

As to whether or not he'll run again, Blazejewski wouldn't commit -- but says he wouldn't rule it out.

"It's a lot of hard work, running and training for this the last few months and it takes a lot of dedication to pull this off - so we had to come out and support them - show them that we love them, care about them and are really proud of them," said Michele Pakla of Shelby Township, whose husband and son were running in the marathon.

Twenty-three-year-old Courtney Brewis of Dearborn won the women's division in 2:45:53. She's an ex-5,000 meter and 10,000 meter competitor at Grand Valley.

The marathon weekend includes races of a variety of lengths, besides the 26.2 mile marathon. An estimated 27,000 people participated last year.
TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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