Line The Drive – Detroit International Marathon

Detroit Free Press International Marathon

• Sunday October 18th, 2026 – 7am through 11am
• First runner arrive approx 7:25am
• Runners must be through tunnel by 10am

The City of Windsor is gearing up to join in the excitement of the Detroit International Free Press Marathon! One of the few truly international marathon courses in the world. The racecourse includes crossings between Canada and the US via the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, as well as a stretch along Windsor’s waterfront and around Windsor City Hall and City Hall Square.

The City of Windsor is partnering with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and local businesses and stakeholders in the city’s downtown core. In support for our neighbours to the North, the City is set to host FIVE cheer zones bringing the excitement of the Marathon to Windsor, while providing opportunities for Windsorites to “Line the Drive” to cheer on a record breaking nearly 30 THOUSAND runners from 40+ countries, including a recording breaking number of 3 THOUSAND Canadians, competing in the race this year.

(Click to enlarge)

Join us at five cheer zones as the marathon runners pass by:

1. Straith Park Cheer Zone

• located on Riverside Drive between Josephine Ave. and Campbell Ave.
• this site will include Biosteel and NorthStar Cheer along with commentary from local running community leaders Dave Orshinsky and Gary Belanger

2. Art Windsor-Essex Canadian Cheer Zone

• located in the Vision Corridor on Riverside Drive between Bruce Ave. and Church St. alongside the Chimczuk Museum/Art Windsor-Essex and in front of the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre presented by WFCU
• this site will include BioSteel, NorthStar Cheer and Downtown Windsor BIA

3. Tourism Windsor Essex Cheer Zone

• located on Riverside Drive between Ferry St. and Ouellette Ave.
• this site will include live music, a cheer section with Canadian Flags, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, NorthStar Cheer Team and Downtown Windsor BIA

4. City Hall Square Cheer Zone

• located along Park St. E. and City Hall Square S. at Windsor City Hall
• this site will include NorthStar Cheer along with commentary from local running community leaders

5. Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Cheer Zone

• located on Park Street E. across from the entrance to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Customs Exit
• tunnel representatives will host this exciting activation area featuring flags representing the 40+ countries of origin connected to registered racers,  live music from AM800 CKLW and Windsor’ s Alternative 89X, BioSteel, and the NorthStar Cheer Team leading the Final Mile Tunnel salute.