RunRace USA › Michigan › Detroit

The complete, course-first guide

Detroit

Sunday, October 18, 2026 · 7:00 a.m., wave start with groups released at three-minute intervals
Fort St between the Lodge Service Dr and 3rd Ave, downtown Detroit; finish on Monroe just north of Campus Martius

Marathon26.2 miles
Register for the 2026 Detroit →on Enmotive
Aerial course portraitDetroitOfficial published route · 26.2 miles
Gold marks the official published route. Public-domain aerial photography: USGS and USDA.

The race in 60 seconds

Marathon
Sunday, October 18, 20267:00 a.m., wave start with groups released at three-minute intervals
Start line
Fort St between the Lodge Service Dr and 3rd Ave, downtown Detroit; finish on Monroe just north of Campus MartiusDetroit, MI
Modeled elevation
About 422 ft of climbroughly 574 to 636 ft
Course shape
Loop coursestart and finish stay close
Race week weather
46°F to 60°F2016-2025 average, 38% of days wet
Published course limit
6.5 hours14:52 per mile

The route forms an open loop, finishing in the same part of the city without returning to the exact start point. The modeled line carries about 422 feet of total climb and ranges from roughly 574 to 636 feet above sea level. The elevation profile calls out the Underwater Mile so the defining work is visible before race morning. Look for Renaissance Center (Detroit Marriott central tower), One Woodward Avenue, Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Book Tower in the flyover, with recognizable forms modeled from architectural records.

Fly the course

The whole course, built from the best available published route trace and an extruded model of Detroit. Scrub it, change the camera, or let it play. Nothing here is a video: it is drawing the city live.

Route statusOrganizer-linked course file. Google My Maps '2026 Detroit Free Press Marathon' linked from freepmarathon.com/course-maps/. KML downloads (145 KB); contains a 'Marathon' LineString layer: 354 pts, measured 42.49 km / 26.40 mi, dips to lat 42.30 confirming the Windsor, Ontario loop. Also has Start Line placemark, every mile marker, and separate Intl Half / Motor City Half layers.

The route line uses the best published course trace available. Public-domain USGS and USDA aerial photography plus USGS 3DEP elevation are baked into RunRace USA, so the flyover makes no paid map API or third-party runtime requests. Buildings, roads, parks and water use OpenStreetMap, ODbL. This is photographic terrain with modeled architecture, not photogrammetry. Bridge approaches, elevations and facade details are approximations; the organizer's published route remains the reference.

The elevation profile

Marathon elevation26.2 miles · about 422 ft of climb
520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 Mile 0.0 to 0.2: -0.3% Mile 0.2 to 0.4: -0.2% Mile 0.4 to 0.6: -0.2% Mile 0.6 to 0.8: -0.9% Mile 0.8 to 1.0: -0.2% Mile 1.0 to 1.2: -0.1% Mile 1.2 to 1.4: +0.8% Mile 1.4 to 1.6: +0.1% Mile 1.6 to 1.8: -0.7% Mile 1.8 to 2.0: +0.2% Mile 2.0 to 2.2: +0.2% Mile 2.2 to 2.4: +0.1% Mile 2.4 to 2.6: +0.1% Mile 2.6 to 2.8: +0.1% Mile 2.8 to 3.0: +0.2% Mile 3.0 to 3.2: +0.1% Mile 3.2 to 3.4: +0.1% Mile 3.4 to 3.6: +0.1% Mile 3.6 to 3.8: +0.2% Mile 3.8 to 4.0: -0.3% Mile 4.0 to 4.2: +0.1% Mile 4.2 to 4.4: -0.1% Mile 4.4 to 4.6: -1.1% Mile 4.6 to 4.8: +0.4% Mile 4.8 to 5.0: +0.1% Mile 5.0 to 5.2: -0.0% Mile 5.2 to 5.4: +0.2% Mile 5.4 to 5.6: +0.1% Mile 5.6 to 5.8: +0.1% Mile 5.8 to 6.0: +0.3% Mile 6.0 to 6.2: -0.1% Mile 6.2 to 6.4: +0.0% Mile 6.4 to 6.6: +0.1% Mile 6.6 to 6.8: +0.2% Mile 6.8 to 7.0: -0.2% Mile 7.0 to 7.2: -0.0% Mile 7.2 to 7.4: -0.4% Mile 7.4 to 7.6: -1.6% Mile 7.6 to 7.8: +0.0% Mile 7.8 to 8.0: +0.3% Mile 8.0 to 8.2: +0.1% Mile 8.2 to 8.4: +1.0% Mile 8.4 to 8.6: -0.1% Mile 8.6 to 8.8: -0.6% Mile 8.8 to 9.0: -0.2% Mile 9.0 to 9.2: +0.1% Mile 9.2 to 9.4: -0.0% Mile 9.4 to 9.6: +0.3% Mile 9.6 to 9.8: -0.2% Mile 9.8 to 10.0: -0.4% Mile 10.0 to 10.2: +1.0% Mile 10.2 to 10.4: +0.1% Mile 10.4 to 10.6: +0.3% Mile 10.6 to 10.8: +0.3% Mile 10.8 to 11.0: +0.2% Mile 11.0 to 11.2: -0.0% Mile 11.2 to 11.4: +0.2% Mile 11.4 to 11.6: -0.3% Mile 11.6 to 11.8: -0.1% Mile 11.8 to 12.0: -0.2% Mile 12.0 to 12.2: +0.1% Mile 12.2 to 12.4: -0.2% Mile 12.4 to 12.6: -0.2% Mile 12.6 to 12.8: +0.3% Mile 12.8 to 13.0: +0.1% Mile 13.0 to 13.2: +0.1% Mile 13.2 to 13.4: +0.1% Mile 13.4 to 13.6: -0.1% Mile 13.6 to 13.8: +0.2% Mile 13.8 to 14.0: -0.1% Mile 14.0 to 14.2: -0.3% Mile 14.2 to 14.4: -0.1% Mile 14.4 to 14.6: -0.2% Mile 14.6 to 14.8: -0.3% Mile 14.8 to 15.0: -0.2% Mile 15.0 to 15.2: -0.3% Mile 15.2 to 15.4: +0.1% Mile 15.4 to 15.6: +1.1% Mile 15.6 to 15.8: -0.3% Mile 15.8 to 16.0: +0.2% Mile 16.0 to 16.2: +0.1% Mile 16.2 to 16.4: +0.3% Mile 16.4 to 16.6: -0.0% Mile 16.6 to 16.8: -0.1% Mile 16.8 to 17.0: +0.1% Mile 17.0 to 17.2: +0.4% Mile 17.2 to 17.4: -0.1% Mile 17.4 to 17.6: +0.0% Mile 17.6 to 17.8: -0.7% Mile 17.8 to 18.0: -0.8% Mile 18.0 to 18.2: -0.8% Mile 18.2 to 18.4: -0.9% Mile 18.4 to 18.6: -0.9% Mile 18.6 to 18.8: -0.1% Mile 18.8 to 19.0: +0.0% Mile 19.0 to 19.2: +0.0% Mile 19.2 to 19.4: +0.0% Mile 19.4 to 19.6: -0.0% Mile 19.6 to 19.8: -0.1% Mile 19.8 to 20.0: +0.0% Mile 20.0 to 20.2: +0.2% Mile 20.2 to 20.4: +0.1% Mile 20.4 to 20.6: -0.1% Mile 20.6 to 20.8: +0.1% Mile 20.8 to 21.0: -0.0% Mile 21.0 to 21.2: +0.2% Mile 21.2 to 21.4: +0.1% Mile 21.4 to 21.6: +0.2% Mile 21.6 to 21.8: -0.1% Mile 21.8 to 22.0: -0.0% Mile 22.0 to 22.2: -0.1% Mile 22.2 to 22.4: -0.1% Mile 22.4 to 22.6: -0.1% Mile 22.6 to 22.8: -0.1% Mile 22.8 to 23.0: +0.3% Mile 23.0 to 23.2: +0.0% Mile 23.2 to 23.4: -0.2% Mile 23.4 to 23.6: -0.1% Mile 23.6 to 23.8: -0.1% Mile 23.8 to 24.0: +0.0% Mile 24.0 to 24.2: +0.1% Mile 24.2 to 24.4: +0.2% Mile 24.4 to 24.6: +0.1% Mile 24.6 to 24.8: -0.1% Mile 24.8 to 25.0: +0.1% Mile 25.0 to 25.2: +0.3% Mile 25.2 to 25.4: -0.1% Mile 25.4 to 25.6: +0.2% Mile 25.6 to 25.8: -0.1% Mile 25.8 to 26.0: +0.1% Mile 26.0 to 26.2: -0.1% 5 10 15 20 25 mile the Underwater Mile +60 ft
steep up up flat down steep down

This Marathon profile covers 26.2 miles, ranges from roughly 574 to 636 feet, and contains about 422 feet of modeled climb.

  • the Underwater Mile, mile 7.71 to 8.89: 60 feet up, 0.9% average.

Open the full course breakdown →

The route at a glance

1 5 10 13 15 20 25 26
Marathon route26.2 miles
course featured climb start/finish

Gold is the selected modeled course; route provenance is stated beside the flyover.

Race-week weather, measured

At the start line, October 14-22 averaged a low of 46°F and a high of 60°F across 2016-2025. The same window reached 79°F at its warmest and 31°F at its coldest. Measurable rain appeared on about 38% of sampled days. Treat the range, not just the average, as the packing list.

Pace it by effort

The profile and grade strip come from the same route currently loaded in the flyover. Use even pace as a baseline, then protect effort on the highlighted climbs and exposed sections.

FinishEven paceHalfway
3:006:52 /mi1:30
3:308:01 /mi1:45
4:009:09 /mi2:00
4:3010:18 /mi2:15
5:0011:27 /mi2:30
Published course limit, 6:3014:52 /mi3:15

Build your race weekend

The course

Live 3D flyover, synchronized elevation, route map, mile-by-mile shape and local landmarks.

Where to stay

35 mapped places to stay, compared by the endpoint that matters.

Expo and logistics

Packet pickup, the published weekend schedule, transit, parking and current entry tiers.

Spectators

Route-aware viewing anchors and a plan that respects the actual course geography.

The weekend

A city guide built around the places modeled beside the course.

Official race site

The organizer's current dates, entry details and late course notices.

Common questions

Does it sell out, and is there a lottery?

No lottery, but do not assume walk-up entry. The official marathon page currently reads SOLD OUT for Sunday, October 18, 2026, with a waitlist whose order is posted publicly. First-timers who wait get shut out. The half and 5K have later deadlines than the international races.

Why are the registration deadlines different for each race?

Because some races cross into Canada. The site lists a September 8, 2026 cutoff for the Marathon, International Half and Relay Leg 1, versus October 8, 2026 for the Motor City Half, 5K, 1-Mile, Kids Marathon and Little Detroit Dash. Miss the earlier date and only Detroit-only races remain.

Do I really need a passport?

Yes, and this is the single biggest first-timer failure. Any race crossing into Canada requires valid WHTI-compliant documentation such as a passport or enhanced driver's license. The race also warns that past criminal offenses can make you inadmissible to Canada and may require extra permits, so check well in advance.

Can someone else grab my packet?

Not for the international races. Marathon, International Half and Relay Leg 1 runners must appear in person at the Health and Fitness Expo with their international documentation. Only domestic-only race entrants can send a proxy carrying a printed confirmation email. Plan expo time into your travel.

How do corrals work, and can I move up?

Corral placement comes from the projected pace you enter on the registration form, so an optimistic guess follows you to the line. Corrals A-F hold international marathoners, half-marathoners and Relay Leg 1; G-H are international half only. You may drop back but never move forward.

What happens if I fall behind the cutoff?

The marathon limit is 6.5 hours. The FAQ states it flatly; the marathon page frames it as 6.5 hours measured from when the Last Chance Pacer starts, with the finish line closing at 2 p.m. and roads reopening incrementally before then. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel closes 10:30 a.m.

What about bag check and start-line logistics?

Gear check runs 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Monroe Street northeast of Campus Martius, using the clear plastic bag issued at packet pickup. The race explicitly says do not pack keys, phone, wallet or money. Main start is 7:00 a.m. and no late starts are allowed.

Anything else that catches people out?

Strollers, bikes, pets, rollerblades and skateboards are banned, and unofficial support cyclists cannot ride the course. Headphones are strongly discouraged. Spectators cannot enter corrals or the finish chute. From general knowledge, not the race site: mid-October Detroit is typically cool, 40s at the start, occasionally windy along the river.

Ready to commit? Registration is open on Enmotive. As of 2026-08-31 the marathon was $170, and the price only moves one direction.

Register for the 2026 Detroit →on Enmotive

Course geometry provenance is stated beside the player; elevation profiles always use the same route loaded there. City geometry is OpenStreetMap, ODbL. Aerial imagery is from USGS and USDA; other images carry their own source credits. Weather figures use Open-Meteo reanalysis for October 14-22 across 2016-2025 at the start line. Schedule, prices and expo hours were checked in 2026-08-31 and are the fields most likely to move: confirm them on www.freepmarathon.com before you book anything. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.