Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 7 a.m.
Registration for 2025 opens Jan 1, 2025.
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.
Please check back for updates as the marathon weekend approaches.
Age Requirements
All participants of the International Half-Marathon must be 14 years of age or older.
Time Requirements
With a wave start, smaller groups of participants are sent off at three-minute intervals beginning at 7 a.m., which eases congestion in those early miles. Groups are based on the projected pace indicated on the registration form, so an accurate response is necessary.
A Last Chance Pacer will be provided for your event. The pacer will travel at the average pace needed to cross the finish line in four hours. Your progress will be monitored throughout the race. If you fall significantly behind the 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 pacers to be transported back to the start-finish area. We will close the International Half-Marathon course at 11:45 a.m.
The Course
The International Half-Marathon will showcase some of the best features that Detroit and Canada have to offer. The course will include trips across the Ambassador Bridge and through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, plus a route moving through Downtown and Midtown Detroit. Things wrap up at the foot of Campus Martius.
Map is LAST YEAR’S course. 2025 course maps will be uploaded once they are finalized.
Courses are subject to change.
Half-Marathon Pace Teams
We are currently in the process of organizing our pace teams for the 2025 event. Below is a sample of what we hope to provide in 2025.
On Pace Race will be providing pacers for the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, and Motor City Half-Marathon. On Pace is a vibrant community of athletes who can be found pacing races throughout the United States. This is On Pace’s first time working with the Detroit Free Press Marathon. It has 76 members on its team, each helping other runners get to the finish line in their goal time.
You can connect with the pacers in the starting corrals. They will be in order of pace (faster pacers closer to the start) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Feel free to introduce yourself — and run with a pacer! On Pace’s strategy will be to run mainly even splits.
They will be pacing the following times*: International Half-Marathon: 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, sweeper
Pace groups are subject to change based on availability.
Looking for more details for race weekend? Wondering where gear check or a fluid station is located? Our interactive map is live! You can zoom in to view details of the event, click on icons for more info.
Prizes
Details on our International Half Marathon prizes can be found on our Awards page HERE.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 7 a.m.
Registration for 2025 opens Jan 1, 2025.
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.
Please check back for updates as the marathon weekend approaches.
Age Requirements
All participants of the International Half-Marathon must be 14 years of age or older.
Time Requirements
With a wave start, smaller groups of participants are sent off at three-minute intervals beginning at 7 a.m., which eases congestion in those early miles. Groups are based on the projected pace indicated on the registration form, so an accurate response is necessary.
A Last Chance Pacer will be provided for your event. The pacer will travel at the average pace needed to cross the finish line in four hours. Your progress will be monitored throughout the race. If you fall significantly behind the 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 pacers to be transported back to the start-finish area. We will close the International Half-Marathon course at 11:45 a.m.
The Course
The International Half-Marathon will showcase some of the best features that Detroit and Canada have to offer. The course will include trips across the Ambassador Bridge and through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, plus a route moving through Downtown and Midtown Detroit. Things wrap up at the foot of Campus Martius.
Map is LAST YEAR’S course. 2025 course maps will be uploaded once they are finalized.
Courses are subject to change.
Half-Marathon Pace Teams
We are currently in the process of organizing our pace teams for the 2025 event. Below is a sample of what we hope to provide in 2025.
On Pace Race will be providing pacers for the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, and Motor City Half-Marathon. On Pace is a vibrant community of athletes who can be found pacing races throughout the United States. This is On Pace’s first time working with the Detroit Free Press Marathon. It has 76 members on its team, each helping other runners get to the finish line in their goal time.
You can connect with the pacers in the starting corrals. They will be in order of pace (faster pacers closer to the start) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Feel free to introduce yourself — and run with a pacer! On Pace’s strategy will be to run mainly even splits.
They will be pacing the following times*: International Half-Marathon: 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, sweeper
Pace groups are subject to change based on availability.
Looking for more details for race weekend? Wondering where gear check or a fluid station is located? Our interactive map is live! You can zoom in to view details of the event, click on icons for more info.
Prizes
Details on our International Half Marathon prizes can be found on our Awards page HERE.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 7 a.m.
Registration for 2025 opens Jan 1, 2025.
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.
Please check back for updates as the marathon weekend approaches.
Age Requirements
All participants of the International Half-Marathon must be 14 years of age or older.
Time Requirements
With a wave start, smaller groups of participants are sent off at three-minute intervals beginning at 7 a.m., which eases congestion in those early miles. Groups are based on the projected pace indicated on the registration form, so an accurate response is necessary.
A Last Chance Pacer will be provided for your event. The pacer will travel at the average pace needed to cross the finish line in four hours. Your progress will be monitored throughout the race. If you fall significantly behind the 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 pacers to be transported back to the start-finish area. We will close the International Half-Marathon course at 11:45 a.m.
The Course
The International Half-Marathon will showcase some of the best features that Detroit and Canada have to offer. The course will include trips across the Ambassador Bridge and through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, plus a route moving through Downtown and Midtown Detroit. Things wrap up at the foot of Campus Martius.
Map is LAST YEAR’S course. 2025 course maps will be uploaded once they are finalized.
Courses are subject to change.
Half-Marathon Pace Teams
We are currently in the process of organizing our pace teams for the 2025 event. Below is a sample of what we hope to provide in 2025.
On Pace Race will be providing pacers for the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, and Motor City Half-Marathon. On Pace is a vibrant community of athletes who can be found pacing races throughout the United States. This is On Pace’s first time working with the Detroit Free Press Marathon. It has 76 members on its team, each helping other runners get to the finish line in their goal time.
You can connect with the pacers in the starting corrals. They will be in order of pace (faster pacers closer to the start) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Feel free to introduce yourself — and run with a pacer! On Pace’s strategy will be to run mainly even splits.
They will be pacing the following times*: International Half-Marathon: 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, sweeper
Pace groups are subject to change based on availability.
Looking for more details for race weekend? Wondering where gear check or a fluid station is located? Our interactive map is live! You can zoom in to view details of the event, click on icons for more info.
Prizes
Details on our International Half Marathon prizes can be found on our Awards page HERE.
