Running
Marathon
26.2 mi
Start: 07:00 AM
Detroit Free Press MarathonPopular
Estimating travel…
Distances
Running
Schülerlauf
15.7 mi
Start: 10:15 AM
Running
Half-Marathon
13.1 mi
Start: 07:00 AM
Running
International Half-Marathon
13.1 mi
Start: 07:00 AM
Running
Motor City Half-Marathon
13.1 mi
Start: 10:30 AM
About
The Detroit Free Press Marathon isn’t just a race — it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else. It all started in 1978, when Neal Shine, then managing editor of the Detroit Free Press, came back from the Falmouth Road Race with a bold idea: Detroit deserved a world-class marathon of its own. More than four decades later, that idea has grown into Michigan’s largest road race and one of the most unforgettable marathon weekends in the country.
Pacers
Pace groups are provided for the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, and Motor City Half-Marathon (e.g., 3:00, 3:15 h). On Pace supplies pacers who lead target-paced groups and wave starts; pacer participation is included in the entry fee.
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Surface mix
- 100% asphalt
Typical weather in Detroit
Monthly averages based on historical data (2000–present).
Jan31°19°
↑ 08:00
↓ 17:24
Feb34°19°
↑ 07:30
↓ 18:04
Mar45°28°
↑ 07:44
↓ 19:39
Apr56°39°
↑ 06:51
↓ 20:14
May68°51°
↑ 06:11
↓ 20:48
Jun78°62°
↑ 05:56
↓ 21:12
Jul82°66°
↑ 06:10
↓ 21:08
Aug80°65°
↑ 06:41
↓ 20:34
Sep73°59°
↑ 07:13
↓ 19:43
Oct61°47°
↑ 07:46
↓ 18:51
Nov48°36°
↑ 07:24
↓ 17:11
Dec37°26°
↑ 07:56
↓ 17:01
Route maps
Results
View official resultsWhat's included in entry
- Marathon distance
- Half-Marathon distance
- International Half-Marathon distance
- Motor City Half-Marathon distance
- Schülerlauf (Kids Marathon)
- Aid stations/fluid stations
- Medal
- Race t-shirt
Hotels near the start
FAQ
What distances are offered at the Detroit Free Press Marathon?
The event offers a full Marathon (42.195 km), International Half-Marathon (21.0975 km), Motor City Half-Marathon (21.0975 km), and a Kids Marathon/Schülerlauf (25.2 mi / ~40.4 km).
What is the race date and start time?
Race weekend runs with the main marathon and half-marathons on Sunday, October 18, 2026; the Kids Marathon is on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. Exact wave start times vary by distance and are published closer to event day.
Do I need a passport or special documentation?
Yes — the International Half-Marathon crosses into Canada over the Ambassador Bridge and returns via the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel; valid travel documents are required.
What is included in the entry fee?
Includes the selected distance, race medal, official t-shirt, and access to aid stations. Pace groups for Marathon, International Half-Marathon, and Motor City Half-Marathon are included.
Last updated: Jun 13, 2026, 11:45:43 PM
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