Line The Drive - Detroit International Marathon - Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

Detroit Free Press International Marathon

Sunday October 20th – 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 Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, as well as a stretch along Windsor’s waterfront.

To join in the excitement, the City of Windsor is partnering with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, AM800 CKLW, 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 three Canadian 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 three cheer zones as the marathon runners pass by:

1. Canadian Cheer Zone

located in the Vision Corridor alongside the Chimczuk Museum/Art Windsor-Essex gallery at Riverside Drive, and in front of the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre presented by WFCU. The site will include the BioSteel Tour Bus display and product giveaway, where spectators can get their Canadian flag and join with the NorthStar Cheer Team to salute the runners.

2. Keg Riverside Canadian Cheer Zone

will be located at The KEG Steakhouse + Bar – Windsor Riverside at 1 Riverside Drive West near Ouellette Avenue, and will include a “Patio Party” with breakfast menu, and a cheer section with Canadian Flags and the NorthStar Cheer Team. For the race next year in 2025, the City of Windsor plans to once again partner with the DWBIA and downtown stakeholders, while including a celebratory event component for the new Civic Esplanade at the City Hall Campus. * Reservations required – The KEG Riverside please click here.

The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Cheer Zone

located on Park Street across from the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Customs Exit. Tunnel representatives will host this exciting activation area. The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County will be on site with 40 flags representing 40 countries of origin connected to registered racers, along with commentary from local running community leaders Dave Orshinsky and Gary Belanger, 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 20 2024, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Tunnel will reopen to normal operations at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday October 20, 2024.