Detroit Free Press Marathon


Detroit, Michigan (USA) & Windsor, Ontario (Canada)	October 18-19, 2025	Registration Not Yet Open

The Detroit Free Press Marathon is a 2-day annual event held in October in Detroit, Michigan (USA) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada). Inaugurated in 1978, this USATF-certified race is a Boston Marathon Qualifying race. It has grown exponentially over the year to attract runners not only from across the US but also from all across the world. The 2-day event not only offers something for everyone – from elite runners to casual walkers, from seasoned marathoners to newbies, it also caters to all age groups – Masters, young runners as well as kids.

Held in October, the races generally provide runners with ideal running weather – a cool start in the morning and cool to mild mid-race temperatures. The marathon course is International and crosses into Canada for a portion of the race. Also, due to its use of the tunnel, the race is also the only official underwater international mile in the world.

The course records for the Marathon are held by Greg Meyer (male) for 2:13:07 (1980) and Elena Orlova (female), for 2:34:16 (2004).

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Race Categories, Dates, Registration, Eligibility & Fees

(Events Saturday)	5K Run	1 Mile	Detroit Dash
Distance	5K	1.6Km	–
Race Date	October 18, 2025	October 18, 2025	October 18, 2025
Start Time *	8:50 am	8:25 am	10:00 am
Eligibility Criterion *	No Age limit	No Age limit	8 years & under
*Fees/ - Live Event	$35 & Up	$20 & Up	$15 & Up
*Challenges Offered/ –Live Event	$165 & Up for Supreme (Marathon + 5K + 1 mile), $155 & Up for Wonder International (International Half Marathon + 5K + 1 mile), $155 & Up for Wonder Motor City (US Only Half Marathon + 5K + 1 mile), $65 & Up for Temptation (5K + 1 mile)
*Registration / $**	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open
Expo Details *	The Expo Venue for 2024 event was at Huntington Place, Hall D, Washington Blvd., Detroit

*Details of Eligibility, Registration fees, Race Start time, Expo details, etc. for the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2025 have not yet been released. Above are details from the 2024 race event for reference
$ Additionally, “Kids Marathon” is offered where children aged 6-13 years have to finish a total of 26.2 miles by logging-in 25.2 miles prior to the race day and then running the last mile on race day to complete a total of 26.2 miles

(Events Sunday)	Marathon- Disabilities Division	Marathon	Marathon Relay	International Half Marathon	US Only half Marathon
Distance	42.2km	42.2km	42.2km	21.1km	21.1km
Race Date	October 19, 2025	October 19, 2025	October 19, 2025	October 19, 2025	October 19, 2025
Start Time *	6:58 am	7:00 am	7:00 am	7:00 am	10:30 am
Eligibility Criterion *	16 years & Above	16 years & Above	14 years & Above	14 years & Above	14 years & Above
*Fees/ - Live Event	$100 & Up	$100 & Up	$300 & Up	$90 & Up	$90 & Up
*Challenges Offered/ –Live Event	$165 & Up for Supreme (Marathon + 5K + 1 mile), $155 & Up for Wonder International (International Half Marathon + 5K + 1 mile), $155 & Up for Wonder Motor City (US Only Half Marathon + 5K + 1 mile)
Registration	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open	Registration not yet open
Expo Details *	The Expo Venue for 2024 event was at Huntington Place, Hall D, Washington Blvd., Detroit

*Details of Eligibility, Registration fees (for 10K & Brighton Mini Miles), Race Start time, Expo details, etc. for the Brighton Marathon Weekend 2025 have not yet been released. Above are details from the 2024 race event for reference
** Fees for All events are time –sensitive i.e. increases closer to race date. Early bird discounts are usually available. Registrations numbers are capped, so races can reach sell-out status at any time.

Route/Course Map

Information about the course maps & other details for the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2025 not yet available. Please check the information from the 2024 event below

	Marathon	International HM Route Map	US Only half Marathon	5K	1 Mile	Kids Run
Route Map	FM Route Map	International HM Route Map	US Only HM Route Map	5K Route Map	1 mile Route Map	Kids Run Route Map
Interactive Map	FM Interactive Map	International HM Route Map	US Only HM Route Map	–	–	–
Finish Area Map	Finish Area Map

Prize Money

Information about the prizes/ awards for the Detroit Free Press Marathon 2025 is not yet available. Below are 2024 event prizes for reference. All prizes (across all races) are equal for male & female participants.

Marathon- Based on Gun/ Clock time (and not chip time)

Open: Top 5 (men/women) get cash rewards
Masters: Top 3 (men/women) get cash rewards
First male to break the race record of 2:13:07 (Greg Meyer, 1980) wins an additional $500
First female to break the race record of 2:34:16 (Elena Orlova, 2004) wins an additional $500
Top Michigan (male/ female) get cash reward of $150
Top Ontorio (male/ female) get cash reward of $150

Place	Open	Masters
1st	$3,000	$1,500
2nd	$1,500	$750
3rd	$1,000	$500
4th	$500
5th	$250

Marathon (Disabilities division) – Based on Gun/ Clock time (and not chip time)

Handcycle: Top 3 Handcycle (men /women) get cash rewards
Wheelchair: Top 3 Wheelchair (men /women) get cash rewards

Place	Overall Handcycle	Overall Wheelchair
1st	$600	$600
2nd	$300	$300
3rd	$150	$150

Marathon Relay – Based on Chip time (and not clock/ gun time)

Overall Top 3 male/female/ mixed will receive team as well as individual plaques
Masters Top 3 male/female/ mixed will receive team as well as individual plaques

Note: A mixed team MUST CONSIST of a 3:2 gender ratio to qualify for awards

Place	Overall Mixed	Masters Mixed
1st	Plaques	Plaques
2nd	Plaques	Plaques
3rd	Plaques	Plaques

International Half Marathon – Based on Gun/ Clock time (and not chip time)

Open: Top 5 (men/ women) get cash rewards
Masters: Top 3 (men/ women) get cash rewards

Place	Open	Masters
1st	$1,500	$750
2nd	$750	$500
3rd	$500	$250
4th	$250
5th	$100

US Only Half Marathon – Based on Gun/ Clock time (and not chip time)

Open: Top 5 (men/ women) get cash rewards (as detailed below)
Masters: Top 3 (men/ women) get cash rewards (as detailed below)

Place	Open	Masters
1st	$800	$400
2nd	$400	$200
3rd	$200	$100
4th	$100
5th	$50

5K run/walk – Based on Gun/ Clock time (and not chip time)

Open: Top 3 (men/ women) get cash rewards
Masters: Top 3 (men/ women) get cash rewards

Place	Open	Masters
1st	$350	$250
2nd	$175	$125
3rd	$100	$75

1 Mile run

Elite: Top 3 (men & women) get cash rewards
Masters: Top 3 (men & women) get cash rewards

Place	Open	Masters
1st	$300	$150
2nd	$150	$75
3rd	$75	$40

In addition to above, the below mentioned non cash awards are also given:

Marathon: Top 3 male / female finishers in different age groups
Disabilities Division: Top 3 male / female finishers in the Overall and Masters (40+) categories in both the Handcycle and Pushrim races.
Half-Marathon: Top 3 male / female finishers in different age groups
5K: Top 3 male / female finishers in different age groups
1-Mile: Top 3 male / female finishers in different age groups

Points to note for prize/awards:

All age groups and non-cash overall awards are based on chip time.
All participants in an age group category are included in age group awards. Therefore, it is possible for a participant to win an Overall award as well as an age group award.

2024 and Earlier Edition Results/Photos

Results

Check all previous Results for Detroit Free Press Marathon

Photos

Check Photos for Detroit Free Press Marathon 2024 and earlier

Important Points

Aid stations: There would be 19 fluid stations throughout our course for hydration.
Kids fun run: One parent or guardian is allowed to accompany their child along the course for the Kids Fun run.
Kids fun run – Location: The Meijer Kids Fun Run starts around the Outdoor Adventure Center and William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, along the Detroit RiverWalk.
Marathon relay: A team of 2-5 runners will cover the entire 26.2 mile distance with each runner running one leg of 3-to-8.5 miles.
Photo ID: Participants should carry/ upload a valid and legible photo ID Card during registration.
Prizes: All individual cash prizes are based on “clock time” (not chip time).
The registration Fee is non-refundable but registrations are transferable to another year.
USATF: The Detroit Free Press Marathon is certified by USATF but is not a USATF sanctioned event. This means that it is not possible to set an American record on this course, nor is it possible to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. But it is still a Boston-qualifying race.
Time limits are applicable for all the races after which the course would be open for regular vehicular traffic.
- Marathon / Marathon Relay: 6 hrs 30 min (course closes at 2:00pm)
- International Half Marathon: 4 hrs (course closes at 11:30am)
- US-only Half Marathon: 3 hrs 30 min (course closes at 2:00pm)
- 5km run: 1hr 10min

Wave start: Participants would be sent off in 15 waves of about 100 runners each with two minutes gap in between.
5K run: There will be two waves: runners and walkers. Walkers will line up behind the runners and will start 5 minutes after the first wave of runners.
Strollers, bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards are not permitted in any of the events.

Contact Information
Phone: 313-777-8886
Email: support@freepmarathon.zendesk.com, detroitmarathonexpo2022@gmail.com (For Expo) expo@freepmarathon.zendesk.com (For Expo), volunteer@freepmarathon.zendesk.com (For volunteers)
Website: https://www.freepmarathon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroitmarathon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freepmarathon/

Detroit Free Press Marathon – 2025 Registration & 2024 Results

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