FERNDALE (WWJ) A Ferndale husband and wife reigned victorious at the Detroit Free Press Marathon.
Andy Bowman conquered the 26.2 mile course through downtown Detroit and into Windsor in two hours, 17 minutes and 47 seconds— making him the winner in the men’s division on Sunday. His wife, Sydney Devore, took home first place in the women’s division at two hours, 42 minutes and 46 seconds.
“It definitely meant a lot today, especially to do it with my wife, it means everything,” Bowman said in a live interview on WWJ.
Neither Bowman, 30, nor Devore, 33, are new to competitive running. Devore qualified for Olympic trials twice, and Bowman did so earlier this year; according to a press release from the Detroit Free Press Marathon.
Bowman said he previously competed in four marathons, with his first win in Pittsburgh in May of 2024. Devore also won in Pittsburgh—in 2018—and participated in multiple marathons, including in New York City and Boston.
“Detroit, I love the atmosphere, but I felt like it was a harder course (than previous marathons),” Bowman told WWJ’s Kyle Kimball. “Whether that’s true or not, that’s definitely how my body felt.”
Bowman--an alum of Oakland University who hails from the thumb area farming town of Marlette--averaged a speed of 5:15 minutes per mile in Sunday’s race. He crossed the finish line at 9:17 a.m.
Devore, with an average speed of 6:10 minutes per mile, crossed the finish line at 9:42 a.m.
According to Devore; she had participated in the Detroit Free Press Marathon eight years ago while living in Florida. It holds a special place in her heart for many reasons—as the first competitive half marathon she ever took part in.
“There’s no other course I know so well,” she said. “I know every block, every street...even the Canadian side..."
The couple had started running a marathon together once before. However, Bowman did not complete the course; she said, without specifying the reason.
They promised each other they would both cross the finish line at the 2024 Detroit Free Press Marathon.
“We went into this one saying—we’re both finishing no matter what,” Devore said. “And hopefully we’re both winning."