Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, casual runner or training for your first 5K, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has a race for you. On Saturday, we kick off our weekend of races with the 5K, Meijer Kids Fun Run and Competitive 1-Mile. Then on Sunday, the Full Marathon, International Half-Marathon …
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Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, casual runner or training for your first 5K, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has a race for you. On Saturday, we kick off our weekend of races with the 5K, Meijer Kids Fun Run and Competitive 1-Mile. Then on Sunday, the Full Marathon, International Half-Marathon and Marathon Relay kick off our international events. The U.S.-Only Half-Marathon starts shortly after and rounds out our events. And the Motor Challenge Series allows participants to run more than one race during Detroit’s Marathon Weekend!
Our marathon course offers international appeal, traversing both downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, crossing the border at both the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. You will run through historic neighborhoods, including Woodbridge, the District Detroit, Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut with a finish line at the foot of Campus Martius.
With a wave start, smaller groups of participants are sent off at three-minute intervals beginning at 7:00 AM, which eases congestion in those early miles. Groups are based on the projected pace indicated on the registration form, so an accurate response is necessary.
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Loved the International Half Marathon!
This was a well organized race that included a marathon, a relay, the International half, and a U.S.-only half! That a lot of logistics. Ran across the Ambassador Bridge into … MORE
This was a well organized race that included a marathon, a relay, the International half, and a U.S.-only half! That a lot of logistics. Ran across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada – the highlight – and ran a few miles there before running through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel back into Detroit. Excellent pre/post race. Great swag! Overall, this was an excellent race that I highly recommend.
Great!
Loved running over the Ambassador Bridge and back through the tunnel. Besides the Bridge hill, the others sneak up on you. My quads are still burning! It was a wonderful … MORE
Loved running over the Ambassador Bridge and back through the tunnel. Besides the Bridge hill, the others sneak up on you. My quads are still burning! It was a wonderful course, well coordinated, awesome crowd support, and a TON of runners. The after party wasn’t set up yet when I finished and you didn’t get any free warm food or drinks after. Not a deal breaker for me, though. I had a great experience!
Extremely well run
I ran the domestic half marathon, while I wasn’t necessarily expecting to like it as I wasn’t the biggest fan of Detroit and the race day logistics, the race totally … MORE
I ran the domestic half marathon, while I wasn’t necessarily expecting to like it as I wasn’t the biggest fan of Detroit and the race day logistics, the race totally made up for it. It is so well planned and coordinated with road closures, volunteers, and timing of everything. It’s a larger event so you always have other runners around you and there are lots of Pacers to help you meet your goal times. Will definitely do in the future!
Incredible energy in the community
The community support for this race is everything. At one point a woman from the crowd saw I was about to walk at mile 24 and started to jog alongside … MORE
The community support for this race is everything. At one point a woman from the crowd saw I was about to walk at mile 24 and started to jog alongside me for a few feet and shout encouragement and I ended up running the rest of the way (if she’s reading this THANK YOU SO MUCH). I ran this with family, and we all enjoyed running through and seeing the various neighborhoods and the after party which involved an incredible live band, food, and beer as well as water and chocolate milk depending on your post race cold beverage of choice. This race truly had some of the kindest people volunteering and cheering in it offering water, jelly beans, encouragement, and even a fireball shot at one point (not that we partook) and it’s not too hilly for those who like a flatter course. I cannot recommend this race enough and have Strava friends from runners I met during the race who I think would say the same!
Beautiful City, nice scenery
We stayed in a downtown hotel to walk everywhere and it was perfect. The race is fun, nice expo and swag. The afterparty was okay....would have been nice to have … MORE
We stayed in a downtown hotel to walk everywhere and it was perfect. The race is fun, nice expo and swag. The afterparty was okay….would have been nice to have a little more food (other than a banana and granola bar). The beer was for sale, not free. The people and volunteers were wonderfully friendly!
Do it
Even without the trip to Canada it was great! The course was flat for the half. Plenty of water stations. Maybe some more bathrooms on the course. I waited till … MORE
Even without the trip to Canada it was great! The course was flat for the half. Plenty of water stations. Maybe some more bathrooms on the course. I waited till almost the end because of the long lines. Love the spectators they made the event special 🙂
Flat course, good Fall marathon
**NOTE THIS REVIEW IS FROM 2021 - RACE DID NOT GO INTO CANADA THIS YEAR.** I have planned to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon as my Michigan marathon ever … MORE
**NOTE THIS REVIEW IS FROM 2021 – RACE DID NOT GO INTO CANADA THIS YEAR.**
I have planned to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon as my Michigan marathon ever since I decided to run all 50 states (back in 2009). One of the reasons was that this race typically runs into Canada. Unfortunately, this year (2021) the course was altered because of COVID. I will definitely return to run the half marathon of this race weekend so that I can get the full “run into Canada” experience.
I remain extremely grateful for the race organizers who are putting together races during this time. Despite the alterations made to the course and the weekend, this was a well run event and I would definitely recommend.
I signed up for the “Supreme” – I ran the 1-miler and 5k races on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday. I came home with three medals, a long sleeve technical shirt, and a zipped up hoodie, so the swag was great!
I stayed at the Marriott at the Renaissance Center. This was sort of in the center of the weekend events (1-miler & 5k were in one direction and the expo and marathon start/finish was in the other).
The course was mostly flat–there were more speed bumps then hills. Of course, that all changed in the last mile. That is where there were two hills! Race directors must love putting hills in at the end.
Really nice medium to large race
Flat and easy course through urban to suburban Detroit and Belle Isle (no Canada due to COVID-19). Not overly crowded, but a very well attended race where you are never … MORE
Flat and easy course through urban to suburban Detroit and Belle Isle (no Canada due to COVID-19). Not overly crowded, but a very well attended race where you are never out of contact with multiple runners. Half/M Relay folks run at the time/course, but not as issue. I don’t like crowds personally and this was entirely ok. Aid stations and bands were frequent, spectator support was average in places to awesome in some neighborhoods. Lots of viewing opportunities for your spectators. Bands, music, beers, fireball, food, etc. was also provided by locals not as part of the race itself. Weather was comfortably chilly the entire race. Communication was awesome. Expo was not over the top, but nice and appropriate. Results were emailed almost instantly along with links to photos that could be downloaded free. Start was via corrals and not an issue. We had no trouble parking for the expo or start, but I could see that as about the only potential complaint. This is an excellent marathon!
Oh, Canada! (How we miss you)
I traveled from central Illinois for this race. Thanks to covid, we weren't able to run into Windsor, Ontario like all the other years. I kept hearing how much we … MORE
I traveled from central Illinois for this race. Thanks to covid, we weren’t able to run into Windsor, Ontario like all the other years. I kept hearing how much we were missing out on this year.
We started and ended downtown, which was cool to run down streets with 30-story buildings. We ran up the northwest corridor of neighborhoods for the first half, went downtown at 13 miles to drop the half marathoners off, and then ran up the northeast side for the back end. Some marathoners say it’s tough mentally to run past the half marathon finish line. If this is you, prepare yourself mentally for that.
Belle Isle was both the highlight and lowlight of the race for me.
We ran onto it from miles 19-22, and while it was very pretty, you’d better prepare for 20-mph winds and goose droppings everywhere.
There were about 2000 marathoners this year, down from 4000+ a few years ago. Production and fan support were great, and the roar of the crowd echoing off the skyscrapers down the home stretch gave me chills, so it was a solid Michigan race.
*I heard “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen played on loudspeakers FOUR times.
*I’ve run past tables offering beer at races before, but here, one table (mile 15?) offered Bloody Marys, and some dude at mile 24 was even handing out shots of Fireball to runners. Y’all crazy, Detroit.
Fantastic racing experience in Detroit
Ran the 2021, the 3rd time in 44(?) years the race did not cross into Canada. Weather was tremendous, high 40s and overcast. Very mild mostly flat course that took … MORE
Ran the 2021, the 3rd time in 44(?) years the race did not cross into Canada. Weather was tremendous, high 40s and overcast. Very mild mostly flat course that took you through some lovely residential areas and the downtown space. Lots of local turnout to support. Race expo was great, swag was very nice: long sleeve tech shirt, long face mask/ head bib and some other goodies. Production was very impressive, this is definitely a premium racing experience. Nearly PR’d if it weren’t for 3 inopportune pit stops– oh well.
Highly recommend.
This was a virtual because of covid19,
I did this race virtually while physically racing 7 Bridges half marathon. The swag was great! , shirt with 13.1 on the back, a race pullover and a jacket!! 4 … MORE
I did this race virtually while physically racing 7 Bridges half marathon. The swag was great! , shirt with 13.1 on the back, a race pullover and a jacket!! 4 medal because I did the Wonder… 1 mile, 5 k, and half marathon.
My first marathon!
I don't have any other full marathons to compare this to since it was my first, but I honestly couldn't have chosen a better one for that experience! It's also … MORE
I don’t have any other full marathons to compare this to since it was my first, but I honestly couldn’t have chosen a better one for that experience! It’s also cool because it’s international – you’ll run through Canada as well as the U.S. (and the Canadian border patrol is so friendly when welcoming you into their country, as Canadians typically are :)).
The expo was extremely fun and there was so much set up for it I didn’t have time to look at it all! They had flags for each country that was participating in the race lining the entry-way, and a giant video screen showing a car’s view of the full marathon route. It was nice to watch that beforehand. The race shirt is awesome too – it has the Ambassador Bridge on the back of it which is my favorite part of the race!
The race starts in downtown Detroit and they play Eminem before you start which is pretty badass. Within the first 2 miles you are crossing the Ambassador Bridge into Canada while the sun rises over the Detroit River. Lots of people stop to take selfies at this point, so it’s best to stay in the center of the crowd to avoid getting stuck behind them. There’s a little bit of a hill to go up the bridge and back down, but it’s nothing extreme. I trained for elevation thinking it was going to be more drastic than it was!
You’ll run in Canada for about 5 miles and then head back to the U.S. through the tunnel, or the “Underwater Mile”! It’s a little hot in here, but I didn’t feel claustrophobic at all. There’s a similar dip in elevation to the bridge, maybe a tiny bit more drastic. You’ll reenter the U.S. at the end where a TON of crowds come to cheer you on back into the city.
The half marathon ends in the city and the full marathon runners leave again to head to Belle Isle. You’ll run through really pretty Detroit houses with old architecture and lots of families standing in their lawns to cheer you on. After you pass these you’ll come to Belle Isle at mile 19 where almost all the crowds of people disappear and you’re out on your own. The bridge is nice and open and there are people on each side exiting or entering the island. The only negative part of the race is how empty Belle Isle was – I really appreciate signs and music so it was hard to get past the hardest part of the race without cheering! This is the only part I put my headphones in for.
You’ll run straight back to the city where the end of the marathon is. There are gates holding back crowds with bleachers(?) of people cheering for you. It was amazing! The medal was super cool and heavy and had an old time Chevy vehicle on it, appropriate for the Motor City.
Awesome Race
First half-marathon, and I am hooked! Well-organized expo, the energy at the start was awesome! Seeing the sunrise over the bridge, going through Canada, and running through the tunnel were … MORE
First half-marathon, and I am hooked! Well-organized expo, the energy at the start was awesome! Seeing the sunrise over the bridge, going through Canada, and running through the tunnel were awesome features. I will be back to run this again soon!
Thumbs up for Detroit!
A friend of mine picked this race as her first marathon. I was coming back from an injury, and all in we brought 7 runners to complete the full (4) … MORE
A friend of mine picked this race as her first marathon. I was coming back from an injury, and all in we brought 7 runners to complete the full (4) and half (3).
Registration/Communication/Website: A+ all around here. Website and registration were clear and easy. Communication was also very good. There were some logistical details that were shared around border crossings, bringing your passport, not bringing water/bags across the border. I feel like the level of communication was really good. Although, I did see complaints after the run that runners didn’t know they couldn’t bring their own hydration. Also, there was a Detroit Marathon facebook group that was super helpful, and kept everyone up to date.
Expo/Bib Pickup: A good variety of vendors, even some local products (locally produced energy bars). Bib pickup was efficient. We showed up to the expo Saturday afternoon, and while most booths still had great stock, the official merchandise was running low on sizes.
Swag/Merchandise: the bib pickup bag had lots of goodies — gender specific race shirt (tho many complained the sizes ran small), gloves, a buff, and some other goodies. The official merchandise and race shirt was mostly New Balance – lots of great stuff. Also, race photos are free to all runners — with the option to purchase higher resolution versions. The medal is a good quality.
Race Day Logistics: Parking wasn’t too bad. We parked in Greektown (free parking in the casino deck), the start was about a mile from the deck. The corrals were fine, people were milling around for a good hour before the start (we had all be warned to get there early). Corrals weren’t monitored too strictly, but it all seemed to work out. Race started on time.
Course: Super flat, can be a little boring. The only elevation is the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, and then the tunnel back into Detroit. The race is pretty congested for the first half (running with the HMers), and then spreads out in the second half. Got to see some cool neighborhoods and areas in Detroit. Indian Village was a nice pick-me-up around mile 17 – tons of people out with impromptu aid tables (including beer and mimosas). The finish chute was a little lack-luster. For some reason they had very high chainlink fence up leading into the chute, so it discouraged people from cheering you in at the finish. The finish line itself operated really well, they moved you through and gave you water, chocolate milk, a food bag, opportunities for photos.
Overall: I have no complaints about Detroit – at the same time, there was nothing extraordinary about the race. If people have ties to Michigan they may feel different. Happy to have run it, but not sure I would mark it a ‘must do’ or travel back.
Great International Race
This was a well organized race with a great expo. The course is interesting with 2 border crossings, the ambassador bridge, the tunnel and Belle Island. It had a few … MORE
This was a well organized race with a great expo. The course is interesting with 2 border crossings, the ambassador bridge, the tunnel and Belle Island. It had a few hills but was mostly flat. There is good spectator turn-out and support throughout the race.
The Detroit International races rock!
As a repeat runner, I'm still awed by the view as we run up, across and over the Ambassador Bridge at dawn. That really is a sight to see. The … MORE
As a repeat runner, I’m still awed by the view as we run up, across and over the Ambassador Bridge at dawn. That really is a sight to see. The tunnel is a hot can of sweaty runners, but that first breath of cool fresh air as you emerge is like nothing else. The production is ok – they could label, stretch out and organize aid stations better so you know where water and gatorade are. Those turn into congestion nightmares. The Detroit swag is the best I have experienced so far, especially if you run the Saturday and Sunday races. Still lots of fun!
Unique and Well Done
I ran this race two years ago and the production was just so much better this year. The post-race area was really well organized and run. The aid-stations were well-stocked … MORE
I ran this race two years ago and the production was just so much better this year. The post-race area was really well organized and run. The aid-stations were well-stocked and the swag was much improved with great looking medals. The first-time pre-race party was also nicely done and i suspect will only continue to improve.
Honestly, this is a terrific race course. There are probably few more amazing views on any course in the country that compare to sunrise over the Detroit River as you cross the Ambassador Bridge. Running in a foreign country and then coming back via the only underwater mile is also pretty interesting. The course is actually pretty technically challenging and between the bridge, tunnel and all the turns on the first half, it isn’t easy to save fuel for the second half, which is really the easier and prettier half of the race. A negative split strategy isn’t a bad idea.
I don’t typically like to race the same course multiple times, but I’ll be back for more in the Motor City……
Fun 5K pre-marathon
This was a fun pre-race 5K along the Detroit riverfront. Parking can be a little nutty, so give yourself extra time or park a few blocks away and walk. The … MORE
This was a fun pre-race 5K along the Detroit riverfront. Parking can be a little nutty, so give yourself extra time or park a few blocks away and walk. The staging at the start could be broken up a bit better considering the number of participants… but that’s typical of the majority of 5Ks. The scenery is nice and the swag is great! Detroit knows how to do swag!
Detroit was fun!
The international aspect of this race is a lot of fun, but the hills of the bridge and tunnel can be tough. Luckily they are in the first half. Stay … MORE
The international aspect of this race is a lot of fun, but the hills of the bridge and tunnel can be tough. Luckily they are in the first half. Stay towards the walls in the tunnel – there’s cool air coming from the lower vents there.
Great race for a first timer!
What a fun race for my first marathon! First time marathoners in the Detroit Freep are known as 'greenies' and get a special bib - and a little extra cheers … MORE
What a fun race for my first marathon! First time marathoners in the Detroit Freep are known as ‘greenies’ and get a special bib – and a little extra cheers on the course because of the accomplishment! This course was well laid out and it was a ton of fun to run in two different countries on one run! Because the International Half is the most popular course (and the first half of the full), it thinned out quite a bit in the second half, but the fans in that section didn’t disappoint! The volunteers were great and there was plenty of fluid support on the course. Was an awesome experience, a great course with great scenery, and well supported! I didn’t get to go to the after party, but even the finishing chute (while very long) was supported with volunteers handing out medals, thermal blankets, and bags of food (rather than having a lineup for individuals that do, or don’t, want specific items). Thanks Detroit for a wonderful first time experience!!!