Detroit Free Press Marathon
Detroit Free Press Marathon race day weather
Cool start, steady rise ahead
Runners will face a temperature increase from 40°F at the start to 53°F by the finish. Light winds from the SW will shift throughout the race, with headwinds impacting early miles and a tailwind in the middle. Runners should consider adjusting their pace during the initial mile and prepare for tougher stretches from miles 23 to 27 with headwinds. Overall, the conditions are favorable for a strong performance.
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Detroit Free Press Marathon route and elevation
The Detroit Free Press Marathon course has about 343 ft (105 m) of climbing and 344 ft (105 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is flatter than 73% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 6, with 71 ft (22 m) of climbing.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 5.6 to 6: climbs about 50 ft (15 m).
- Miles 7.7 to 17.5: climbs about 65 ft (19 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:30:25 here (25 seconds slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:00:30 here (30 seconds slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:30:30 here (30 seconds slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 ft | 10 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:13 |
| 2 | 12 ft | 8 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 3 | 18 ft | 26 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 4 | 27 ft | 2 ft | 8:12 | 9:23 | 10:33 |
| 5 | 29 ft | 39 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 6 | 71 ft | 60 ft | 8:05 | 9:14 | 10:23 |
| 7 | 30 ft | 35 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 8 | 45 ft | 69 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:09 |
| 9 | 40 ft | 24 ft | 8:08 | 9:17 | 10:27 |
| 10 | 11 ft | 13 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 11 | 25 ft | 4 ft | 8:10 | 9:20 | 10:30 |
| 12 | 5 ft | 6 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 13 | 9 ft | 8 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 14 | 8 ft | 2 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:21 |
| 15 | 0 ft | 15 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 16 | 10 ft | 3 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:21 |
| 17 | 5 ft | 1 ft | 8:02 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 18 | 7 ft | 23 ft | 7:55 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 19 | 19 ft | 24 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 20 | 1 ft | 6 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:15 |
| 21 | 7 ft | 1 ft | 8:02 | 9:12 | 10:20 |
| 22 | 6 ft | 5 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 23 | 4 ft | 7 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 24 | 5 ft | 6 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 25 | 3 ft | 3 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 26 | 16 ft | 14 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:18 |
| Last 0.2 | 0 ft | 5 ft | 1:46 | 2:01 | 2:16 |
Explore the Detroit Free Press Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
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About the Detroit Free Press Marathon
The Detroit Free Press Marathon is a 42.195-kilometre (26.219 mi) race run every third Sunday in October in Detroit, Michigan, United States and Windsor, Ontario, Canada since 1978. Major General Stan Connelly and Jerry Coyle organized the first international marathon. MaryJane Hatton, recorded the times as the runners crossed the finish line. After each marathon Stan Connelly and his daughter MaryJane Hatton would compile a booklet entitled, “We’re All Winners” of every runner and their times. The marathon course is international and has featured the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel for all but two years of its existence. The current course crosses the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel between Detroit and Windsor. Due to its use of the tunnel, the race is able to boast that it has the only official underwater international mile in the world, as the tunnel runs underneath the Detroit River. The race is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifier course. Wikipedia
Race weekend
Tips from Runners
From 6 race reports by runners: what worked for them, not official race information.
Plan for the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel on the way back into Detroit. Your GPS may drop out there, so don't trust your watch pace in that stretch.
Skip the Belle Isle loop as a place to count on crowds. A 2021 runner found few spectators there, so save some mental energy for it.
- Plan for the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel on the way back into Detroit. Your GPS may drop out there, so don't trust your watch pace in that stretch.
- Skip the Belle Isle loop as a place to count on crowds. A 2021 runner found few spectators there, so save some mental energy for it.
Detroit Free Press Marathon FAQ
When is the 2026 Detroit Free Press Marathon?
Is the Detroit Free Press Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?
What is the time limit for the Detroit Free Press Marathon?
What will the weather be like for the 2026 Detroit Free Press Marathon?
What is the elevation gain of the Detroit Free Press Marathon?
Is the Detroit Free Press Marathon hilly?
What is the weather usually like for the Detroit Free Press Marathon?
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Detroit Free Press Marathon reviews and race reports
A border-crossing marathon with a bridge, a tunnel and big crowds. Runners called it scenic and mostly flat.
Ambassador Bridge and the tunnel — One runner crossed the Ambassador Bridge near mile 2.5 and liked the views of Michigan and Ontario. The tunnel back into Detroit was warm and cost that runner the GPS signal.
Residential miles 6 to 12 — A 2021 runner loved the residential neighborhoods, where people on porches and sidewalks handed out water and snacks between the official stations.
Overcame knee pain to achieve a 12-minute PR
The first 10 miles of the race did not feel good. My legs felt tired and my knee started to hurt pretty bad. By mile 13 I was preparing to walk off the course if my knee felt worse. But I dug deep and started negotiating with each mile.
Fought fatigue but finished strong with a few seconds to spare
I would highly recommend the Detroit marathon! The course is very scenic, crosses the US-Canada border, is relatively flat, and is well-staffed with fluid and nutrition stations. The crowds were amazing and super supportive. The race starts at 7:00 am which is about 50 min before sunrise.
Bonked hard after mile 18, struggled to finish strong
At mile 20, I noticed the clock saying 2:37:xx and thought I should easily get under 3:30. What happened next caught me completely off guard. At this point, I had to alternate between walking and running. I tried to keep on running, but at times the pain was just too much to bare.
Struggled in the final miles after starting too fast
This was my first real race and I made the rookie mistake of starting out too fast. I knew this was a no-no, but honestly it just felt weird running with fresh legs. At times, I was run a full minute faster than my goal pace. Oops. Eventually, my legs began to tire and I was my goal pace out of necessity.
Felt great early, but lost time at mile 4 for a porta-potty stop
The first 5 miles were awesome, I was feeling great and it was amazing to see downtown Detroit at sunrise with all the other runners. For all my efforts to pee prior to the run, I ended up stopping at the mile 4 fluid station for a drink of water and my only porta-potty stop of the race. Unavoidable, but my final time would probably be 5 minutes faster if I didn't have to do this.