Detroit, Michigan, United States
The Detroit Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Detroit, United States. The course starts and finishes in downtown Detroit. Mostly flat with climbs on the bridge and tunnel approaches.
Detroit Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Detroit Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 18 October 2026 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 118 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.
The Detroit Marathon is a loop starting and finishing downtown and uniquely crosses the U.S.-Canada border twice via the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel back. The bridge and tunnel are the main physical tests on an otherwise flat course, and spectators gather downtown, at the border crossings, and along the riverfront on both sides.
Official course map — view on race website
The Detroit Marathon course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 118 metres of climbing and 121 metres of descent, with a net descent of 3 metres from start to finish.
The Detroit Free Press Marathon uses open online registration at freepmarathon.com for the October race. The field of roughly 5,500 finishers is allocated first-come, first-served with no ballot or qualifying standard. International runners cross into Windsor, Canada, mid-race, so a valid passport is required on race day.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Detroit.
The Glass City Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each April on an urban road in Toledo, United States. It is one of the Midwest's best-known Boston-qualifier courses because the layout stays smooth and fast. The course passes Old West End boulevards, Ottawa Park, and wide residential roads designed for uninterrupted rhythm. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
The Cleveland Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Cleveland, United States. The course starts and finishes in downtown Cleveland. The route crosses the Hope Memorial Bridge, passes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and follows the Lake Erie shoreline. Hilly with climbs on the Hope Memorial Bridge and through Ohio City.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Akron Marathon attracts approximately 1,500 finishers each September through the Rubber City on the Ohio & Erie Canal. The course passes Stan Hywet Hall, the Akron Art Museum, and the canal towpath on rolling northeast Ohio terrain. September's crisp Midwest autumn and the intimate community atmosphere make it one of Ohio's best-loved marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 26 September 2026
The Grand Rapids Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each October on an urban road in Grand Rapids, United States. It is known regionally as a dependable Midwest BQ course. The course passes the Grand River, city parks, and long straight sections through neighborhoods built for even splits. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026
The Erie Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each September on a lakeside loop road in Erie, United States. Running almost entirely inside a state park gives it an unusually calm race-day feel for a fast marathon. The loop passes Lake Erie shoreline, wooded park roads, and wide open lake views with almost no climbing. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
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