From Friday through Sunday, the weekend will include eight races, multiple parties, an expo and much more. Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan’s largest participant event.
(DETROIT – Oct. 14, 2024) When the Detroit Free Press Marathon Presented by MSU Federal Credit Union arrives this weekend (Oct. 18-20), it will feature more than 26,000 registered runners across eight races, including several that sold out for the first time ever.
“With the unprecedented interest from runners and this year’s addition of an Elite Field, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the best — and most significant — years in race history,” said Aaron Velthoven, race director and vice president. “We can’t wait to show off Detroit and provide an amazing experience for our participants.”
The Detroit Free Press Marathon provides a wide variety of opportunities for media coverage — both in advance and during the weekend. Below are key facts that can get your stories started.
*** NOTE: On Wednesday, we’ll share one more release that provides some when-where-how specifics for live coverage over the weekend. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out. ***
- The 47h annual event is the largest international race in North America.
- More than 26,000 people registered for races — a record. Events include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. Tens of thousands of spectators, supporters and volunteers also are expected.
- For the first time, many of the events sold out, including all the Sunday races (Marathon, International Half, Motor City Half and Marathon Relay).
- The crossing of the U.S.-Canadian border remains the signature feature of the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Marathon and International Half-Marathon runners will enter Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and return to the U.S. through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The Marathon course highlights the Windsor riverfront and showcases some of Detroit’s finest features, including Downtown, District Detroit, Midtown, Woodbridge, Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut and Indian Village.
- Among Saturday races, the 5K is also sold out. Until capacity is reached, registration remains open for these Saturday morning races: 1-Mile, Kids Marathon, and the Little Detroit Dash. Saturday races are held on the Detroit Riverfront in the vicinity of William Milliken State Park.
- The weekend officially begins with the Health & Fitness Expo, held Friday and Saturday at Huntington Place in Detroit. This is where participants pick up their race bibs. It also offers Detroit Free Press Marathon apparel and vendors featuring the latest in running footwear, clothing, nutrition, technology and much more. The expo is free and open to the public. Hours: 1-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
- The marathon is hosting an Elite Field for the first time this year, attracting more than 80 elite athletes from Michigan, Canada and around North America to race in Detroit. This should result in some of the most competitive and quickest finishes in race history.
- Ferndale husband-and-wife duo Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore are the No. 1 seeds in the Marathon’s men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. The married runners both have previously won the Pittsburgh Marathon, and she qualified for two Olympic Trials (2020 & 2024). He Olympic-qualified in 2024.
- For the first time, the race is hosting an on-stage awards ceremony for winning runners. It happens at 11 a.m. Sunday at Campus Martius as part of Conquered, the official race afterparty.
- Conquered runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include multiple food trucks, photo opportunities, the chance to congratulate runners, and a live performance by Detroit band Lyrical Heat. The party is free and open to all.
- Other events of note include the Official Warm-Up Party at 7-9 p.m. Friday at Second Best bar in Detroit, and the 7th Annual Blessing of the Sneakers at 5 p.m. Saturday at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Detroit.
About the Detroit Free Press Marathon: The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSUFCU, is Michigan’s largest road race, North America’s largest international road race and a beloved tradition among runners across the world. Featuring a unique cross-border course between the United States and Canada, the event showcases the spirit of Detroit and its vibrant communities. Detroit’s race weekend will be held October 18-20, 2024. Races include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health, and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. For the first time in its history, all off its Sunday races — including the Marathon and both half-marathons — have sold out. All for the first time, the marathon introduced an Elite Field in 2024, virtually guaranteeing a faster and more competitive race to the finish line.
For Detroit Free Press Marathon photos, go here: LINK.
From Friday through Sunday, the weekend will include eight races, multiple parties, an expo and much more. Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan’s largest participant event.
(DETROIT – Oct. 14, 2024) When the Detroit Free Press Marathon Presented by MSU Federal Credit Union arrives this weekend (Oct. 18-20), it will feature more than 26,000 registered runners across eight races, including several that sold out for the first time ever.
“With the unprecedented interest from runners and this year’s addition of an Elite Field, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the best — and most significant — years in race history,” said Aaron Velthoven, race director and vice president. “We can’t wait to show off Detroit and provide an amazing experience for our participants.”
The Detroit Free Press Marathon provides a wide variety of opportunities for media coverage — both in advance and during the weekend. Below are key facts that can get your stories started.
*** NOTE: On Wednesday, we’ll share one more release that provides some when-where-how specifics for live coverage over the weekend. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out. ***
- The 47h annual event is the largest international race in North America.
- More than 26,000 people registered for races — a record. Events include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. Tens of thousands of spectators, supporters and volunteers also are expected.
- For the first time, many of the events sold out, including all the Sunday races (Marathon, International Half, Motor City Half and Marathon Relay).
- The crossing of the U.S.-Canadian border remains the signature feature of the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Marathon and International Half-Marathon runners will enter Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and return to the U.S. through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The Marathon course highlights the Windsor riverfront and showcases some of Detroit’s finest features, including Downtown, District Detroit, Midtown, Woodbridge, Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut and Indian Village.
- Among Saturday races, the 5K is also sold out. Until capacity is reached, registration remains open for these Saturday morning races: 1-Mile, Kids Marathon, and the Little Detroit Dash. Saturday races are held on the Detroit Riverfront in the vicinity of William Milliken State Park.
- The weekend officially begins with the Health & Fitness Expo, held Friday and Saturday at Huntington Place in Detroit. This is where participants pick up their race bibs. It also offers Detroit Free Press Marathon apparel and vendors featuring the latest in running footwear, clothing, nutrition, technology and much more. The expo is free and open to the public. Hours: 1-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
- The marathon is hosting an Elite Field for the first time this year, attracting more than 80 elite athletes from Michigan, Canada and around North America to race in Detroit. This should result in some of the most competitive and quickest finishes in race history.
- Ferndale husband-and-wife duo Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore are the No. 1 seeds in the Marathon’s men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. The married runners both have previously won the Pittsburgh Marathon, and she qualified for two Olympic Trials (2020 & 2024). He Olympic-qualified in 2024.
- For the first time, the race is hosting an on-stage awards ceremony for winning runners. It happens at 11 a.m. Sunday at Campus Martius as part of Conquered, the official race afterparty.
- Conquered runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include multiple food trucks, photo opportunities, the chance to congratulate runners, and a live performance by Detroit band Lyrical Heat. The party is free and open to all.
- Other events of note include the Official Warm-Up Party at 7-9 p.m. Friday at Second Best bar in Detroit, and the 7th Annual Blessing of the Sneakers at 5 p.m. Saturday at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Detroit.
About the Detroit Free Press Marathon: The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSUFCU, is Michigan’s largest road race, North America’s largest international road race and a beloved tradition among runners across the world. Featuring a unique cross-border course between the United States and Canada, the event showcases the spirit of Detroit and its vibrant communities. Detroit’s race weekend will be held October 18-20, 2024. Races include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, 1-Mile Presented by Precision Garage, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health, and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. For the first time in its history, all off its Sunday races — including the Marathon and both half-marathons — have sold out. All for the first time, the marathon introduced an Elite Field in 2024, virtually guaranteeing a faster and more competitive race to the finish line.
For Detroit Free Press Marathon photos, go here: LINK.
