This morning, the Government of Canada announced the removal of all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, including testing quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective Oct. 1, 2022. The full announcement can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/36dnbuc9 

This means that Detroit Free Press Marathon international race participants U.S. residents will no longer have to: 

1. Provide and carry proof of vaccination at our Health & Fitness Expo. 
2. Provide and carry proof of vaccination on race day. 
3. Complete the ArriveCAN form prior to race day.
4. Carry ArriveCAN registration on race day.

Non-U.S. citizens entering the U. S. for our races may still have COVID-19-related requirements. You can find more information about those here.

The changes announced by the Government of Canada will not impact the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s deadlines for registration, deferrals, transfer or change in category. The deadline to enter this year’s international races was Aug. 24, 2022. That means new international runners are not being accepted at this time.

The deadline to defer 2022 race registrations is Sept. 30, 2022.

“We welcome today’s announcement in time for this year’s return of our international components of the Detroit Free Press Marathon,” said Aaron Velthoven, vice president and executive producer of the Detroit Free Press Marathon. “The lifting of the COVID-19-related entry restrictions will simplify the race preparations for our participants, and is yet another step toward returning our great race to pre-pandemic norms.”

Reminder: All international runners will still need to present their WHTI-compliant document at the Health & Fitness Expo to pick up their race bib. All international runners will still need to carry their WHTI-compliant document during the race.

We’re aware of the news reports about potential changes to the COVID-19 related requirements for entering Canada, including easing current restrictions. And we know many of you have questions on how those potential changes might impact you leading up to race day and on it. We have not received any official communication on potential changes from the Canadian government, but we have read what has been reported over the past day.

Here’s what you can expect if changes to the COVID-19 related requirements to enter into Canada are announced prior to Detroit Free Press Marathon race day:

• The changes may impact what you’re required to bring to pick up your packet at the Health & Fitness Expo. They also might change what you’re required to run with during Sunday’s international races.
• The changes will not impact registration, deferrals, change in category or transfer deadlines. The deadline for this year’s international races was August 24, 2022. The deadline to defer your 2022 race registration is September 30, 2022.

We’ve been in constant communication with the Canadian government throughout the past year, to ensure our international runners are adhering to the current requirements to gain access to Canada during our uniquely international race. As those requirements change, we will communicate the impact of those changes to you as soon as possible.

All runners entering Canada will need to complete the ArriveCAN process in advance of the race.

If you’re participating in any of the following events, ArriveCAN is required: Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Supreme or Wonder challenge series, or Legs 1 and 2 of the Marathon Relay.

You will need to have either a digital or paper copy of your ArriveCAN receipt on your person during your race.

Everything you need to know about ArriveCAN as it relates to the Detroit Free Press Marathon is in our FAQ.