Registration for 1-Mile, 5K, Kids Fun Run, Temptation and U.S.-Only Half-Marathon available online through October 14; in person at the
Health & Fitness Expo while available entry slots last
DETROIT (October 4, 2019) – More than 26,000 runners from every state including the District of Columbia and over 50 countries will gather in Detroit to take part in the annual Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon during race weekend October 18-20, 2019. This year’s running events will draw runners from countries as far away as Australia, Nigeria, Sweden and Taiwan, with over 4,000 of the participants expected to raise over $2 million for more than 45 charities. The race, which runs throughout the streets of Detroit and Windsor, Canada, is the largest running race of its kind in the State of Michigan and is celebrating its 42nd year of competition. All event participants, including children, will be awarded a medal for finishing their event. Registration for U.S.-Only events is available online through October 14, 2019 at 11:59 p.m., and in person at the Health & Fitness Expo, while available entry slots last. Registration for all international races, including the full Marathon, International Half Marathon and the Marathon Team Relay, is closed.
Back by popular demand are races first introduced in 2018:
· Competitive 1-Mile timed event on Saturday, October 19 along the Detroit Riverfront available to any runner, not just Marathon participants, as an individual race.
· Motor City Challenge Series for participants interested in additional opportunities to run race weekend, the Motor City Challenge Series includes three race challenges: The Temptation – 1-Mile and 5K events; The Wonder – 1-Mile, 5K and International Half-Marathon events; and The Supreme – 1-Mile, 5K and full Marathon events.
New this year, photos will be taken on the course both days and at the finish line and provided to runners free of charge, courtesy of Meijer and Tide. Also, for participants and their fans, a new race weekend app, which includes a track runner feature, is available in the App Store and Google Play under Detroit Marathon.
Here are the key details of the weekend events:
Race weekend:
Health and Fitness Expo – On Oct. 18, from 2 – 8 p.m., and Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., the annual Health and Fitness Expo will be held at TCF Center (formerly COBO Center)-Hall A and will feature nearly 100 exhibitors, showcasing the latest in running footwear, apparel, nutrition, technology and more. The public is welcome to attend. Additionally, this site is where race participants will pick up race packets, purchase official 2019 Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon merchandise, and late registration entries will be accepted on Friday for the 1-Mile, 5K, Kids Fun Run, Temptation; and on Friday and Saturday for the U.S.-Only Half-Marathon events.
Saturday, Oct. 19:
Saturday’s race events are held along the Detroit Riverfront and kick off the weekend of races.
Competitive 1-Mile – The Competitive 1-Mile race is a timed event and kicks off race weekend at 9:00 a.m., offering runners and walkers an opportunity to join in competition during Detroit’s Marathon Weekend. The Competitive 1-Mile course begins at William G. Milliken State Park, has four turns and a straight-away to the finish.
5K – The 3.1-Mile race starts Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.and will take participants along the Detroit Riverwalk, past Milliken State Park/Harbor, Chene Park and through the historic Rivertown Warehouse District before finishing in front of the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, located at 1801 Atwater Street. More than 3,000 runners are expected to participate.
Meijer Kids Fun Run – Kids ages 4-12 will participate in this 0.85-mile run/walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. The fun-run begins and finishes at Atwater and Orleans Roads, with pre- and post-race activities available for kids of all ages.
Sunday, Oct. 20:
Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon – Beginning at 7:00 a.m., participants will run the course through downtown Detroit and Windsor, crossing the border at the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Runners will follow the racecourse through the historic neighborhoods of Corktown, Mexicantown, Indian Village, and around beautiful Belle Isle and along the spectacular Detroit RiverWalk, starting and finishing their event at West Fort Street and Cass Avenue.
Disabilities Division – Handcycle and pushrim participants navigate the half or full marathon course beginning at 6:50 a.m.
Marathon Relay Event – Teams of two to five relay runners will cover the entire 26.2-mile distance beginning their relay race at 7:00 a.m. Each relay participant will run designated legs of three to seven miles throughout the Marathon course.
International Half-Marathon – Participants of the International Half-Marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. and run the first half of the full Marathon course, completing their race at the West Fort Street and Cass Avenue finish line.
U.S.-Only Half-Marathon – Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the US-only Half-Marathon course start line will begin near the intersection of Cadillac Square and Bates Street, run the back half of the full Marathon course, and finish at the same location as the full and International Half-Marathon runners.
· Conquered Afterparty – Participants, friends and family members are invited to celebrate their accomplishments from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the official Marathon afterparty located at the surface parking lot on the corner of Fort Street and Third Street. The event features live entertainment from the award winning cover band Collision Six; a chance to win over $5,000 in prizes including free 2020 race registrations; local food truck favorites Mac Shack and El Guapo will be there to satisfy post-race cravings; cold beer will be available for a nominal price (all proceeds are donated to the Michigan Humane Society); and family fun including games and more.
About the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon:
The Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon is Michigan’s largest road race and the only race to cross international borders twice. From the new runner to the more seasoned marathoner, there is a race for everyone. Participants can join the Competitive 1-Mile, 5K or Meijer Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 19, or the Full Marathon, International Half-Marathon, U.S.-Only Half-Marathon and Marathon Relay on Sunday, October 20. This year is the 42nd year of the event.Visit us to learn more about the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon.
About Michigan.com:
The Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon is owned and produced byMichigan.com. Michigan.com also produces a number of premier events in Metro Detroit, including the Freep Film Festival, the Wine & Food Experience, Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 Takeover, The Detroit News Dish & Design Series, Top Workplaces and The Detroit Free Press High School Sports Awards. Michigan.com also manages the business operations of The Detroit News under the terms of a federal Joint Operating Agreement.
