Detroit Free Press International Marathon
- Sunday October 19th, 2025 – 7am through 11am
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 event attracts racers from across the globe. The racecourse showcases iconic and historic neighbourhoods in Detroit and 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 a new route running around Windsor City Hall and City Hall Square.
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 in addition to an array of local activities and events all weekend long of the big race, bringing the excitement of the Marathon to Windsor, while providing opportunities for Windsorites to “Line the Drive” to cheer on the 26,000 runners from 43 countries, including 4,000 Canadians, competing in the race this year.
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 and NorthStar Cheer
3. Keg Riverside Canadian Cheer Zone
- located on Riverside Drive between Ferry St. and Ouellette Ave. at The KEG Steakhouse + Bar – Windsor
- this site will include a “Patio Party” with breakfast menu, and a cheer section with Canadian Flags, Bio Steel, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and the NorthStar Cheer Team
- The Keg is offering an exclusive patio dining experience during Line The Drive. Reservations required for breakfast at The KEG Riverside – please click here.
4. City Hall Square Cheer Zone
- located along Park St. E. and City Hall Square S. at Windsor City Hall
- this site will include BioSteel, NorthStar Cheer, and flags representing 40 countries of origin connected to registered racers along with commentary from local running community leaders Dave Orshinsky and Gary Belanger
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 with live music from AM800 CKLW and Windsor’ s Alternative 89X, and the NorthStar Cheer Team leading the Final Mile Tunnel salute.
Tunnel Closure Notice
Please note that as part of this event, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel will be closed on Sunday October 19th, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Tunnel will reopen to normal operations at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday October 19th, 2025.
Art Windsor-Essex Colour Marathon Poster Sessions
Art Windsor-Essex will also be hosting two Weekends in the Studio! Colorful Marathon Posters sessions on Sunday October 12th 1-4pm and Saturday October 18th 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 can during ‘Line The Drive’.
More Ways To Enjoy Downtown
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy downtown Windsor on Marathon weekend, including:
- Enbridge presents Live At The Square – Friday October 17th from 7pm – 9pm at City Hall square
- Hello From The Other Side with Medium Bella Silva Cacilhas – Friday October 17th at 8pm inside the Chrysler Theatre
- Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market – Saturday October 18th from 9am – 2pm on Pelissier Street
- Two Hour Sightseeing Cruise – Saturday October 18th at 2pm with Windsor Premier Cruises
- Gerry Dee ‘Funny You Should Say That’ – Saturday October 18th at 8pm inside the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PROUD PARTNERS
BioSteel Sports Nutrition Inc. (CNW Group/BioSteel Sports Nutrition Inc.)
