Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 6:58 a.m.

If you’re interested in participating in our Adaptive Athlete Division, please reach out to us! Email us at: support@freepmarathon.zendesk.com

This is an international race and requires a valid travel document. For more information or if you have questions about your entrance admissibility to Canada visit our “Link to requirements” page here.

Age Requirements

All participants in the Adaptive Athletes Division must be 16 years of age or older.

Time Requirements

You must be able to complete the race in 6.5 hours from the time the Last Chance Pacer crosses the start line. We will close the marathon course at 2 p.m.

The Last Chance Pacer will travel at the average pace needed to cross the finish line at 6.5 hours. Your progress will be monitored throughout the race. If you fall significantly behind the Last Chance Pacer, you will be given fair warning to pick up the pace. If you can’t keep pace, you will be required to board a bus following the pacer to be transported back to the finish area.

The Course

The 2025 Marathon route is one of the only truly international courses in the world! A showcase of Detroit featuring iconic neighborhoods like the Woodbridge neighborhood, the District Detroit, Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut and a finish line at the foot of Campus Martius. (All courses will require municipal approval and USATF measurement.)

Prizes

Details on our prizes can be found on our Awards page HERE.

Adaptive Athletes

Push-Rim & Hand-Crank/Handcycle Wheelchair: A wheelchair athlete for the purposes of USATF LDR Road Racing is defined as any person with a significant and permanent physical or motor deficiency requiring the use of a push-rim or hand crank wheelchair to compete. Able-bodied individuals may not participate in the Wheelchair Division. Rules and regulations for wheelchairs will be based on the International Paralympic Committee’s regulations. This field is capped at 20 and only the Marathon distance will be accepted. See below for wheelchair specifications.

 Assisted Wheelchair/Duos: Defined as a participant pushing a person with permanent disabilities in a customized racing wheelchair. Both parties will need to register for the event and sign appropriate waivers. This field is capped at 12 for the International Half and Marathon combined.

Physically Challenged (PC): A physically challenged (PC) athlete for the purposes of USATF LDR Road Racing is defined as any person with a significant and permanent physical or motor deficiency but still allows them to be ambulatory for road racing. Examples of appropriate permanent physical challenges include: Partial or complete loss of a lower extremity, such as a Symes or leg amputation. Some have significant loss of motor function due to stroke or a serious degenerative neurological condition affecting the extremities such as Multiple Sclerosis. This field is capped at five (5) for the International Half and Marathon combined.

Visually Impaired: A visually impaired runner must meet the classifications of IBSA Visual Classifications Class B1, B2, B3 and B4. For more information on IBSA Visual Classifications, click here. See below for Rules for Visually Impaired. This field is capped at 5.

EXPECTATIONS OF ADAPTIVE ATHLETES

• Push-Rim & Hand-Crank/Handcycle Wheelchair athletes can only compete in the Marathon distance.
• Assisted wheelchair/Duos, physically challenged, and visually impaired athletes can compete in either the Marathon or the International Half Marathon.
• Participants must follow and stay on the course and be aware of road condition such as potholes, sunken manhole covers, speed humps, etc.
• The Adaptive Athletes will start two minutes ahead of the able-bodied participants and must adhere to the time limits set to complete each distance.
• With the exception of a guide where applicable, all participants much complete the entire course unaided, except for the aid that is provided at the official fluid and medical stations on course. No personal aid from a spectator is permitted.
• All participants must have their bib visible and worn in front.

PUSH-RIM, HAND-CRANK AND HANDCYCLES

Push-rim is defined as a wheelchair powered by arms only and are not mechanically or gear assisted.

Hand-Crank and Handcycles are defined as a wheelchair powered by arms and is mechanically or gear assisted.

If you are a wheelchair athlete, before you register, please contact customer service at support@freepmarathon.zendesk.com to discuss eligibility.

ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR/DUOS:

Defined as a participant pushing a person with permanent disabilities in a customized racing wheelchair. Both parties will need to register for the event and sign appropriate waivers.

• One person must push the person with a permanent disability the entire race distance within the official course limit time.
• The abled-bodied participant must maintain contact and control with the wheelchair at all times throughout the race.
• Only the registered able-bodied participant is allowed to propel the wheelchair forward; no outside assistance is permitted.
• The person pushing the wheelchair must be tethered to the chair.

GUIDES FOR ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR/DUOS, PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES

• Guides will not be provided unless the Marathon Office receives requests from a person that wants to be a guide. Guides will get a complimentary entry but must register for the event.
• Guides must be cleared by both border agencies if participating in an international race.
• Only one guide per athlete.
• Guides MUST wear approved GUIDE BIB on their back and appropriate event bib number in front.
• Guide will be able to cross the finish line with athlete but must stay behind athlete.
• Guides may not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport.
• Method of guidance is choice of athlete: elbow lead, tether, or run free are permitted. Strapping or tying the hands of an athlete is not permitted.

GUIDES FOR PUSH-RIM & HAND-CRANK/HANDCYCLE WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES

• A bicycle guide will be provided.
• Guides must be cleared by both border agencies if participating in an international race.
• Guides MUST wear approved GUIDE BIB and appropriate event bib number.
• Guides will NOT be able to cross the finish line with the athlete. Guides MUST turn off course before the finish line and meet up with their athlete at a designated location.