Get Ready “To Line The Drive” During the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday October 18

Join Us at Five Cheer Zones to Welcome 30k Runners Through Downtown Windsor

Windsor, ON – Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, in partnership with the City of Windsor and the Downtown Windsor BIA, is once again inviting Windsor Essex residents to Line The Drive during the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday October 18^th.

Thousands of runners from around the world will make their way through Windsor as part of one of the most unique international races in North America, and residents are encouraged to bring their signs, Canadian pride and plenty of energy to five official Cheer Zones along the Canadian portion of the route.

“Line The Drive is a great example of how Windsor comes together to welcome the world,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Thousands of runners will experience our waterfront and downtown as part of one of the most unique marathon routes anywhere, and our five Cheer Zones give residents the opportunity to be part of that experience. This year’s new ‘Canada Starts Here’ photo op at City Hall Square adds another fun way to celebrate our community, our Canadian pride and the incredible energy the Detroit Free Press Marathon brings to downtown Windsor.”

One of the few truly international marathon courses in the world, the Detroit Free Press Marathon attracts runners from across the globe and offers participants the unique opportunity to cross between Canada and the United States by foot. Runners enter Canada across the Ambassador Bridge before travelling along Windsor’s waterfront and through the downtown core, eventually returning to the United States through the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.

“The Detroit Free Press Marathon puts Windsor in front of thousands of runners from across Canada, the United States and around the world and this year’s race provides an even greater opportunity to introduce Windsor to a new audience, with 70% of registered participants being new runners to the marathon” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex and Invest Windsor Essex. “More than 3,000 Canadian runners are also registered to take part, adding even more Canadian pride to the international event. With so many participants experiencing the race for the first time, Line The Drive is an opportunity to create a memorable welcome and showcase downtown Windsor and our warm hospitality to thousands of runners, families and supporters.”

To support the event, five vibrant Cheer Zones will once again be located along Riverside Drive and throughout Downtown Windsor. Residents are encouraged to Line The Drive with friends and family, create their most colourful and creative signs and help provide an unforgettable Canadian welcome for runners as they make their way through Windsor. First runners are expected to arrive at approximately 7:25 am and must pass through the tunnel by 10:00am.

The five Line The Drive Cheer Zones include: 

1. Straith Park Cheer Zone – located on Riverside Dr. W. between Josephine Ave. and Campbell Ave.
2. Art Windsor-Essex Canadian Cheer Zone – located in the Vision Corridor on Riverside Dr. W. between Bruce Ave. and Church St.
3. Tourism Cheer Zone – located on Riverside Dr. W. between Ferry St. and Ouellette Ave.
4. Windsor City Hall Cheer Zone – located along Park St. E. and City Hall Square S. at Windsor City Hall.
5. Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Cheer Zone – located on Park St. E. across from the entrance to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Customs Exit.

New This Year: Canada Starts Here & Tourism Zones

New for 2026, the Windsor City Hall Cheer Zone will feature a Canada Starts Here photo op, giving runners, spectators and residents a chance to capture their Canadian marathon moment in the heart of Downtown Windsor, in addition to the Tourism Cheer Zone sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and the distribution of free Canadian Flags to cheer on the runners. The new activations will add even more Canadian pride to the course while creating a memorable photo opportunity for runners visiting Windsor from around the world.

Throughout the route, runners will be welcomed with music, entertainment, community activations and giveaways designed to showcase Windsor’s energy and hospitality. Activations will include BioSteel, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County featuring flags representing countries of origin connected to registered racers, NorthStar Cheer teams along the route, and music and commentary as runners prepare to enter the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.

“Line The Drive is one of those events that shows what Downtown Windsor does best — bringing people together and creating an incredible atmosphere,” said Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3, City of Windsor. “Seeing residents line the route, wave the Canadian flag and cheer on thousands of runners from around the world brings an energy to our downtown that you can’t replicate. It’s a chance to celebrate our community, show off our Canadian pride and give every runner an unforgettable Windsor welcome.”

Line The Drive also aligns with the City of Windsor’s Strengthen the Core initiative, creating vibrancy by attracting and engaging residents and visitors through unique amenities, gathering spaces, engagement opportunities and events in the downtown core.

Make a Weekend of It

 There are plenty of other ways for runners, their families and residents to experience Downtown Windsor throughout Marathon Weekend.

• Scarehouse Windsor Haunted Experiences – all weekend at Scarehouse Windsor
• Menopause The Musical – Friday October 16th at the Chrysler Theatre
• Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market – Saturday October 17th from 9am – 2pm on Pelissier Street
• Fleetwood Mac Mania – Saturday October 17th at the Chrysler Theatre
• Free Admission at Chimczuk Museum & Art Windsor-Essex – Saturday October 17th
• Ghost Ship Cruise – Saturday October 17th with Windsor Premier Cruises
• The Black Keys: The Peaches ‘N Kream Tour – Sunday October 18th at Caesars Windsor

Residents are encouraged to grab their signs, wear their red and white and help us Line The Drive as Windsor welcomes runners from around the world.

A full map of Cheer Zones, Marathon Weekend activities and the latest Line The Drive details can be found at visitwindsoressex.com/marathon.

Note: during the Detroit International Marathon their will be road closures impacting traffic in downtown Windsor along Huron Church Road, Riverside Drive, Ouellette Avenue, University Ave., McDougal Street and Park Street from 6pm through 11am. The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel will also be closed to vehicular traffic 6:15am through 10:15am.

The Ambassador Bridge remains operational during the marathon, but anticipate delays due to reduced lanes in operation.