The 2024 Detroit Marathon will go down as memorable for many reasons. Not only was it a scintillating affair for track and field fans, but it was also the first time in the event’s history that a husband-wife duo won both the men’s and women’s titles. Andrew Bowman and his wife Sydney Devore scooped up the winning spots in their respective races, and their doting embrace after the latter crossed the finishing line is one for the history books! But confidence wasn’t the biggest highlight for the 33-year-old sprinter going into the race.

Like all marathon races, the Detroit Marathon offers significant challenges to the participants that test both their tenacity and mental determination. However, for the two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Sydney Devore, it was anything but conviction in her own abilities just days before the big rumble in Motown on October 20.

4 days before the 2024 Detroit Free Press Marathon, Devore shared an emotional message on Instagram, highlighting the state of mind she was in. “I am so excited for everyone running, including me! (Sort of),” she wrote in the caption of the post, underscoring the quivering heart she was desperately trying to calm. To get herself into the right mindset for the race, Devore revealed that she only did the things that made her feel good, and that sometimes meant skipping training altogether.

“I have been really struggling with my running since mid-April. At first, it felt like burnout or Low Energy Availability (LEA) and then a sprained ankle trail running, and then ongoing sickness…things just haven’t come together,” she elaborated further on why running didn’t excite her as it used to before. Naturally, with all things combined, Devore was right to be feeling nervous. She noted that while her post wasn’t an explanation about anything or to anyone, it was her way of coming clean ahead of the race.

However, things took a turn for the better in recent weeks. Claiming that old thrilling feeling was coming back to her, Sydney wrote, “Fall always brings hope and excitement. Running is feeling good and I am having fun again. I am out of shape, and I am still sick, but running feels good.” Thankfully, she had her plan for the Detroit Marathon chalked out: “The marathon is not to be taken lightly. Ultimately, I have decided to run because I want to be out there. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty. Truthfully, I am really scared of how hard it is going to be, but I’m going to do my best and try and have the most fun celebrating my favorite sport in my favorite way.” Ultimately, all things panned out exactly how she would have wanted it, and Devore couldn’t be happier.

Sydney Devore’s spouse gave her all the support she needed

The Florida Gators alum finished the 26.2-mile race in 2:42:46, following her husband’s (2:17:47) steps to win the race. She started the race strongly, possibly as an attempt to crush the skeptical thoughts in her mind from the beginning. But she had something more to look forward to to give herself the moral boost she needed to win the prestigious race.

“That whole like last 4 miles … I was like, ‘He’s waiting for you, he’s waiting for you.’ And oh, my God, I just started crying when I turned that (last) corner. I just wanted to run into his arms in case I was crying and not be embarrassed,” the Detroit Free Press quotes Sydney saying after the race.

Marathons are always special events. While Devore ran with the thought of hugging her husband at the finishing line, the Chicago Marathon from earlier this month saw 26-year-old Brandan O’Brien running for a different cause. With his father’s unfortunate demise, O’Brien took the opportunity to spread more awareness about mental health and why it should be given more attention. So what would prompt you to partake in a marathon race? Tell us with a comment!