Half Marathon

Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon

Two countries in 13.1 miles make Detroit's international half unique, with bridge and tunnel crossings plus memorable downtown and Midtown miles.

Next raceSunday, October 18, 2026
Distance categoryHalf Marathon
LocationDetroit, Michigan
Get alertsLast checked August 4, 2026

Quick facts

  • Valid travel documentation is required for the international course.
  • Crosses the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
  • Four-hour target pace is enforced through course monitoring and cutoffs.
  • International entries close earlier than Detroit-only race entries.

About the Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon

This cross-border half is the signature shorter race of Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend. Runners leave the United States, enter Canada, and return underground, making entry documentation and border eligibility as important as ordinary race preparation.

Course

The route crosses into Windsor on the Ambassador Bridge and returns through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel before moving through downtown and Midtown Detroit to Campus Martius. The bridge climb, tunnel descent and rise, and wave traffic make effort-based pacing more useful than treating it as flat.

Race-day weather

October in Detroit can range from crisp and still to cold, wet, and windy. Conditions on the bridge may differ sharply from street level, while the tunnel briefly feels warmer and more humid.

Past Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon dates and results

YearDateStatusResults
2026Sunday, October 18, 2026Upcoming
2025CompletedOpen results
2024CompletedOpen results

Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon FAQ

When is the Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon?

The 2026 Detroit Free Press International Half-Marathon is on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

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