Detroit Free Press Marathon, Half Marathons & 5K

One of a select few races around the world that can truly be called an international race — its course really does take runners across two nations — the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon & Half Marathons feature a route that takes runners through the streets of the Motor City and over into Ontario, Canada, for a run along the banks of the Detroit River. The race even takes runners underground for a mile-long stretch of the race, between the seventh and eighth miles through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel under the river. Note: The info below describes the race’s international half marathon, which runs through both the U.S. and Canada. The race also offers a U.S.-only half marathon course; route maps for both are provided on the course maps page. Mostly fast and flat and run on paved surfaces throughout, the race starts in downtown Detroit at the intersection of West Fort Street and 2nd Avenue, next to the Detroit Media Partnership building. From there, the course follows a somewhat circuitous route through the city, running for a long stretch along West Fort, followed by across the Ambassador Bridge and through the underwater Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.