Get Ready To Line The Drive during the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday October 19th

 Five Cheer Zones Planned to Welcome 26k+ Runners

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the City of Windsor and the Downtown Windsor BIA want Windsor Essex residents to once again Line The Drive during the Detroit Free Press Marathon Sunday October 19^th from 7am through 11am.

“We are proud to welcome runners, families, and visitors through the Line the Drive experience again this year, giving them a glimpse of the vibrancy and hospitality that Windsor has to offer and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future, said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “With the enhanced route connecting runners with the new City Hall Square, the celebrations for Line The Drive continue to grow, showing the incredible positive momentum of our downtown. This initiative not only celebrates our role in the Detroit Free Press Marathon, but also showcases our community as a destination people will want to return to and explore more fully. Line the Drive directly supports our Strengthen the Core strategy by highlighting Downtown Windsor as a lively, welcoming hub — and we’re excited to continue building momentum that brings our residents to downtown Windsor, while also drawing future guests back to our city.”

One of the few truly international marathon courses in the world, the event attracts racers from across the globe. The runner route for 2025 has been enhanced to include an additional half kilometre run through downtown Windsor, showcasing the new City Hall Square and Windsor City Hall in addition to running along our beautiful waterfront on Riverside Drive. One of the most iconic races in North America, it also affords runners the unique chance to experience crossing between Canada and the United States by foot through the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.

“Hosting Line the Drive gives us the opportunity to showcase Windsor’s energy and hospitality to the thousands of visitors who run along our breathtaking waterfront and through our vibrant downtown core” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex and Invest WindsorEssex. “It’s a chance to remind runners and their supporters that Windsor is more than just a great view from the course — it’s a vibrant destination worth returning to explore, dine, and stay.”

To support the event, five vibrant Cheer Zones will be set up along Riverside Drive and around Windsor City Hall Square. These zones are designed to help spectators ‘Line The Drive’ with friends and family, showcasing their most creative and elaborate signs to cheer on loved ones and the more than 26,000 runners participating in this year’s marathon, including over 2,600 Canadians. For full details, visit visitwindsoressex.com/marathon.

The five ‘Line the Drive’ cheer zones include:

1. Straith Park Cheer Zone located on Riverside Drive between Josephine Ave. and Campbell Ave.
2. Art Windsor-Essex Canadian Cheer Zone located in the Vision Corridor on Riverside Drive between Bruce Ave. and Church St.
3. Keg Riverside Canadian Cheer Zone located on Riverside Drive between Ferry St. and Ouellette Ave. at The KEG Steakhouse + Bar – Windsor
4. City Hall Square 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 Street E. across from the entrance to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Customs Exit

Enhancements on the route include activations and product giveaways from BioSteel, The Keg Steakhouse + Bar Patio Party with exclusive breakfast offerings, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County with 40 flags representing 40 countries of origin connected to registered racers, NorthStar Cheer team at each location, live music as they enter the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel from AM800 CKLW and Windsor’s Alternative 89X along with commentary from local running community leaders Dave Orshinsky and Gary Belanger.

“Line the Drive is about creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that puts Downtown Windsor’s best foot forward” says Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3 City of Windsor. “By filling the streets with energy, music, and community spirit, we’re showing visitors and residents alike that our downtown is vibrant, inviting, and worth experiencing again and again.”

Art Windsor-Essex will also be hosting two Weekends in the Studio! Colorful Marathon Posters sessions on Sunday October 12^th 1-4pm and Saturday October 18^th 1-4pm. Art Windsor-Essex will have all the supplies you need to create bold, colorful, and motivating messages to cheer on your family and friends during ‘Line The Drive’.

Line The Drive aligns with the City of Windsor’s Strengthen the Core initiative, which creates vibrancy by attracting and engaging residents and visitors with unique amenities, gathering spaces, and engagement opportunities and events.

There are plenty of other ways to enjoy downtown Windsor on Marathon weekend, including:

• Enbridge presents Live At The Square – Friday October 17^th from 7pm – 9pm at City Hall square
• Hello From The Other Side with Medium Bella Silva Cacilhas – Friday October 17^th at 8pm inside the Chrysler Theatre
• Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market – Saturday October 18^th from 9am – 2pm on Pelissier Street
• Two Hour Sightseeing Cruise – Saturday October 18^th at 2pm with Windsor Premier Cruises
• Gerry Dee ‘Funny You Should Say That’ – Saturday October 18^th at 8pm inside the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

A full map of cheer zones for Line The Drive and other event details can be found at visitwindsoressex.com/marathon.