Detroit Free Press Marathon Reviews

  Loved this race

By BAM about 2024

Review

Though it feels a lot smaller than some of the other city marathons, Detroit is a great race: some incredible sights (running across the Ambassador Bridge lives up to the hype, as does running back through the tunnel and getting to see this historic city) and though the crowds are sparse in places, the people are incredibly supportive and the volunteers are just amazing.

Race Tips

It's a pretty flat, fast course with an early start (7am) = all pluses. The miles (ca. 19-23) through the beautiful neighborhood of Indian Village are a highlight and all the neighbors come out to cheer. It's great.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The course is very easy to get to from all locations downtown and the official site makes it easy to pick from a range of accessible hotels at all price levels. The Cambria is two blocks from the starting line!

  Do It!

By AB about 2018

Review

I am a race walker and did this full marathon for the first time beginning to end. I have race walked it three other times in the half. I'm now sold on the full! Two countries, bridge and tunnel ascent and descent! The East of Woodward half is beautiful, with the route snaking through some of the D’s nicest neighborhoods. This half of the course is mostly flat, but there are a few camouflaged slow ascent hills! Practice hill running/walking!

Race Tips

Practice, practice and more practice on hills! They have sent to the ambassador bridge pinnacle is about 1 mile. From the bottom of the Detroit Windsor tunnel the ascent is about a half a mile. Both are steep and will test one's endurance. Also, the wind can blow strongly off the Detroit River at the beginning of the race and on the Belle Isle section of the race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay at a hotel with a parking garage. Something centrally located near the starting point at Fort and Shelby Streets. Greektown and the RenCen are good locations. If that is not an option, arrive early to find parking and plan to practice patience when leaving.

  Windy but Worth it!

By IWB about 2017

Review

I really enjoyed the route. Crossed over into Canada by bridge and back to Detroit through an underwater tunnel. Well marked course and plenty of spectators. Well organized. Tons of visible security. Extremely windy this year but could easily be a PR if you get great weather.

Race Tips

Bag check was a little too far from start/finish line would be better not to check a bag. Definitely start this race slowly as your biggest hill is mile 3.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Plan ahead for meals after the marathon. Many places not open late on Sunday. If you stay in a hotel downtown it is a short walk to the start/finish line.

  Top 3 Marathons

By Beth about 2016

Review

Great race atmosphere, fun spectators, and you get to run in two countries!

Race Tips

Stay focused in the second half, there are long stretches without a lot of crowds

  

By Denise Milne about 2016

Review

Overall a good course...of course it's international. The one thing I didn't like was going on to Belle Isle and back out. It just doesn't ever make sense to me. Going through Indian Village is always great... a lot of people cheering you on.. bands etc..

Race Tips

I didn't hydrate enough. I didn't run enough 20 milers, because it was such a hot summer.. I should have changed to the half.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Marriott Hotel was a great place to stay!! Great food and location!!

  

By Khalaf Haddad about 2016

Review

Great course - crossing the Ambassador Bridge at sunrise to enjoy a view over the Detroit River, run a few miles in Canada (!), an entire mile underwater (The Underwater Mile is the tunnel coming back from Canada to the US). Historic neighborhoods - Mexicantown, Corktown, Indian Village - have a great vibe. Three-mile loop on Belle Isle on the same pavement that hosts a Formula One race! Fast, flat course - great for beginners.

Race Tips

Prepare for any weather - temperature at the start line for the past four years has been 38, 35, 31, 55 (!). It has rained and snowed on the course in different years, so be ready. Just make sure you can have your bib visible for border crossings.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

If you want a downtown hotel, book early - they go quickly. And there are a lot of great restaurants and activities downtown for before and after the race.

  

By JS about 2016

Review

Its run through both the US and Canada. Good rehydration stops.

Race Tips

Ambassador Bridge to Canada is 1 miles incline and 1 mile decline (2 miles total)

  

By TCB about 2016

Review

Fantastic Route. Overly helpful staff. Surprisingly great weather. Only improvement needed is food at the end of the race!

Race Tips

The first half is very crowded (but did not effect pacing). No bananas or food of any kind (2 gel shots) given.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking was tricky but getting their early made it easy (write down where you parked as I got lost downtown).

  

By R.U.N. about 2016

Review

This race crosses into Canada over the Ambassador Bridge and back to the United States. It is a well organized race and fun to participate.

Race Tips

Never can predict the weather in Michigan. In 2016, the weather was nice and warm in the early morning, but rain hit after 11am or so, cooled it down somewhat but not bad. However, it seemed that the runners and volunteers made the best of a great event, despite the weathter.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Check the website freepmarathon.com to check all this info out.

  

By MJP about 2016

  

By JAckie about 2016

Review

Crossing international borders is an amazing feeling running over the bridge & then back through the tunnel.

Race Tips

This marathon has hills!!!! Just because Windsor & Detroit r flat the on ramp to the ambassador bridge & the ramp to come out the tunnel can take a toll!!! Practise hill running!

  

By Sah about 2016

Review

It's international 2 countries, run over a Bridge, through a tunnel, and a major city's downtown.

Race Tips

Train hills the bridge and tunnel can be tough.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I liked the MGM GRAND.

  

By LM about 2016

Review

Flat and fast, bridge and run into Canada was super cool. Nice race, fun to cross borders during a marathon. Traffic and parking sucked before the race.

Race Tips

Get there super early for parking and traffic. Quite flat. Savor the sunrise over the bridge into Canada and just enjoy it.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The race sent out list of parking garages and places. Just make sure you get there early. Also I sat in parking garage for 3 hours after race in traffic just to get out of the garage, so don't plan to get anywhere in a hurry after the race if you're anywhere on an upper-level in the garages.

  

By Pam about 2014

Review

The sun rises as you run over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada. The crowds in both Detroit and Windsor are the best I've experienced. The trip back to the US through the Windsor Tunnel is a crazy experience with just you and thousands of your new closest friends. Running out to Bell Isle and along the Detroit River walk is beautiful. The Medals... Please! They are the best!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Park away from the start an take the People Mover (really fun on race day). Eat at Greek Town after the race!

  

By BR about 2014

Review

International race that crosses into Canada and then back to the US. Beautiful sunrise will crossing the Ambassador Bridge. Awesome crowd support.

Race Tips

The race starts at 7am. You need to be through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel by 10am. Make sure you can keep that pace or use one of the pace team members.

  

By runmari about 2013

Review

This was a very well organized event from the starting line to the finish at both the US and Canadian side. runners were in corrals that started in 2 minute waves so that the bridge and tunnels wouldn't be overwhelmed. Border security was also well organized and we were asked several times before the start to make sure to have bib numbers visible prior to reaching the bridge if not we would be stopped by security. some people thought that you passed one set of security that was it, no they would radio ahead for the next set of security to get a hold of you.

Race Tips

The first half of the race was awesome but i thought the 2nd half was boring. Miles 13-17 was just too flat and too straight. Do Not watch the course video at the expo if you are the type that likes to be surprised. The most challenging part of the course were the mile or 2 before the bridge, a long uphill run, not too bad of an ascent, but just long and gradual. Second is Belle Island because of the head winds from the lake. if you can survive 2 miles of that, then your in the clear, but there is a hill at mile 25. its not bad, but its a hill at mile 25.

People may say this was a flat and fast course fail to note that this was a tough course because of the elements. It was a chilly day, but winds were a factor