Changes are ahead this year for the Detroit Free Press Marathon with dramatic course updates. The route for the 45th annual race will spotlight some of the city’s most beloved features, many for the first time in marathon history.
The newly designed marathon course represents the race’s most dramatic altering since the event’s founding in 1978. The changes were made to feature some of Detroit’s signature neighborhoods, improving the tunnel experience and making activities more enjoyable and accessible for spectators.
The Free Press Marathon is Michigan’s largest road race and the only race to cross international borders twice. From the new runner to the more seasoned marathoner, there is a race for everyone.
Participants can join the competitive 1-mile run, 5K or Meijer Kids Fun Run on Oct. 15, or the full marathon, half-marathon, U.S.-only half and marathon relay on Oct. 16.
Some of the key developments for this year’s race weekend include:
“The Detroit Free Press Marathon has always been a tremendous showcase of the beauty and activity within the city of Detroit to our participants, who come from all over the world,” said Aaron Velthoven, vice president and executive producer of the Free Press Marathon. “Our new course was designed to highlight our thriving and iconic historical communities, with a great finish line in the city center at Campus Martius.”
Route map for Detroit Free Press Marathon by Matt Scodellaro on plotaroute.com
In addition to improving the course for runners, organizers expect the changes will make the race more accessible and fun for the tens of thousands of spectators who head to the city to cheer on friends and loved ones too.
Route map for U.S.-Only Half-Marathon by Matt Scodellaro on plotaroute.com
“We’ve opened many of the major roadways into the downtown area with this new course. Spectators and runners heading into the city on race morning will be able to access areas of our course like never before,” Velthoven said.
Route map for International Half by Chris Stilwell on plotaroute.com
More than 20,000 runners are expected to hit the streets of Detroit and Windsor during race weekend. The three days of events will include multiple marathons as well as a Health & Fitness Expo at Huntington Place.
Registration for all races is currently open at https://www.freepmarathon.com/ .
