2025 Post Sell Out FAQ

Detroit Free Press Marathon 2025 Sellout Guidelines

Guidelines and procedures for deferrals, race distance changes, waitlist entries, and participant transfers following the sellout of the 2025 Detroit Free Press Marathon events.

1. Deferrals

Eligibility:

• Only 2025 registered participants can defer their entry to the 2026 event.
• Deferrals open on March 1, 2025, and close on October 6, 2025.
• There is a deferral fee of $75 for all race entries.
• Challenge entries cannot be separated into individual race entries (e.g. Participant defers 13.1 race, but runs 5K, and 1-mile).
• New this year: Each race entry can only be deferred once for the following year. For example, participants who defer their 2025 entry to 2026 event cannot defer their 2026 entry again into .

2. Race Distance Changes

Process:

• Participants wishing to change international race distances (e.g., Marathon → International Half, International Half → Marathon) must contact race customer service at support@freepmarathon.zendesk.com.
• Requests will be added to a waitlist in the order they are received.
• If a spot becomes available in the desired race distance, the change will be processed with a $30 change fee.
• All international distance changes are subject to availability and must be finalized before the International registration deadline of September 8, 2025.

3. Waitlist for Entry

Waitlist Races:

• The Detroit Free Press Marathon will launch only two (2) waitlists, one for the Marathon and one for the International Half-Marathon.
• Each waitlist will have a 500-participant capacity.

Waitlist Launch:

• The waitlist will open one week after sellout for each race category.
• Participants must pay an $5 refundable fee to join the waitlist.

Waitlist Management:

• The waitlist order will be published on the official race website. The ordered list will show the confirmation number of your waitlist registration.
• Entries will be processed approximately twice per month if spots become available.
• The race will send an email notification to the next 10 participants on the waitlist letting them know they are next in line. This email will provide additional instructions to participants.
• Participants will have until the next processing date to cancel their spot in line.
• If no action is taken to cancel a participant’s position, they will be processed automatically when a race entry becomes available, and their credit card will be charged for the race entry fee, including the processing fee. The $5 waitlist fee will be credited against the total fee for entry.
• Processing will continue until the International registration deadline of September 8, 2025.

4. Participant Transfers

Eligibility & Process:

• Registered participants can transfer their entry to another person if they are unable to participate.
• Transfers will open on April 1, 2025.
• The original registrant must initiate the transfer through their EnMotive account.
• The new participant must complete the registration process, including a $30 transfer fee.
• New this year: All transactions and payments between parties will be processed within EnMotive. Money should not be exchanged outside of the EnMotive system.
• Transfers (and distance changes) for international races will close at the International registration deadline of September 8, 2025.
• Challenge entries can NOT be transferred.

5. Key Dates Summary