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Thousands of runners ran the 41st Annual Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press

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As the air grows more crisp and the days get shorter, amateur and experienced runners alike will begin looking forward to one of the biggest events of the season: The Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon. 

Nearly 25,000 people will be participating in this year’s event, including the smaller races. From where to pick up packets, where to park and what to do after the race, here’s a guide on what to look out for during marathon weekend.

Before the race 

All racers must stop by the TCF Center and pick up their packets at the Health and Fitness Expo Friday or Saturday. The expo will feature exhibitors selling marathon merchandise and the latest running footwear, apparel and more. 

  • Participants will need their race number to receive the packet, which will include a bib, T-shirt and a swag bag. Runners will be notified about their race number through email closer to the day of the race. 
  • For those who do not have a race number, computers will be available in the pickup area for a registration search. If the number is still not found, racers can go the Problems and Solutions Table. 
  • All U.S. and Canadian runners participating in the international races must show proof of identity and citizenship to receive their race number and packet. Proof of citizenship includes a passport, passport card or an enhanced driver’s license. Children under 16 must present a birth certificate, passport or naturalization card. 
  • Those running in The Wonder or The Supreme events as part of The Motor City Challenge Series must pick up their packets Friday. Runners only participating in The Temptation race can pick up their packet Friday or Saturday before the event. 

Registration 

While online registration for many of the weekend’s races, including the main event, have closed, a few races are still accepting runners. All late registrations will be held at the Health and Fitness Expo.

These are the races that are available: 

  • Competitive 1-Mile: Onsite registration will be open Friday during the expo from 2-8 p.m.
  • U.S. Only Half-Marathon: Onsite registration will be open Friday and Saturday. 
  • 5K: Onsite registration open Friday from 2-8 p.m.
  • Meijer Kids Fun Run: Onsite registration open Friday from 2-8 p.m. 

Hours for the expo are Friday from 2-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

More: Detroit Free Press marathon New Balance runner of the week: Hajj Flemings

More: Detroit Free Press marathon New Balance athlete of the week: Andrew Barnhart

The races

Saturday 

  • Competitive 1-Mile: Starting in William G. Milliken State Park, the course has four turns and a straight-away to the finish. Starts at 9 a.m. 
  • 5K: The course will take participants along the Detroit Riverwalk, past Milliken State Park and Harbor, past Chene Park and through the historic Rivertown Warehouse District before finishing in front of the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center. Starts at 9:30 a.m.
  • Meijer Kids Fun Run: Aimed for kids between the ages of 4 and 12, the untimed race starts around the Outdoor Adventure Center and William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor and along the Detroit RiverWalk. One parent or guardian is allowed to accompany their child in the event. Starts at 9:30 a.m. 

Sunday 

  • Marathon: Racers will cross the border at both the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, running through historic neighborhoods, around Belle Isle, and along the RiverWalk. Since there is construction on Fort Street near Rosa Parks this year, the course will head west on Fort to Trumbull (north) to Lafayette (west) and back south to Rosa Parks to pick up Fort Street and head to the bridge. Starts at 7 a.m.
  • Marathon Relay: This race consists of teams with 2-5 people covering the 26.2 mile distance of the marathon route. Each runner will run one leg of 3-7 miles. Starts at 7 a.m. 
  • Disabilities Division: Racers use hand cycles and push rims to complete the full marathon course. Starts at 6:50 a.m. 
  • International Half-Marathon: Runners will cross the border between downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario at the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Starts at 7 a.m.
  • U.S. Only Half-Marathon: Runners will stay stateside and kick off their race at Cadillac Square, east of Bates Street, and finish up at W. Fort Street. Starts at 10:30 a.m. 

Parking information

According to the marathon website, racers are recommended to park in a spot outside of the course route in order to avoid traffic. In addition, participants should find their parking spots as early as possible since streets will begin to close at 4 a.m. Detroit has several parking lots and garages available to use, such the Kennedy Square, Financial District and Cobo garages. Olympia Parking recommended that the lots at 151 and 205 West Adams will be the best options for racers, as well as the parking lots on Cass. 

Racers can also reserve a parking space through the SpotHero app, which is available for both iPhone and Android. Users visit the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon parking page to book a spot, with rates up to as much as 50% off drive-up. 

Maps: Full marathon | International half-marathon | U.S.-only half marathon | 5K

Road closures 

There will be multiple road closures and restricted traffic downtown throughout the weekend, including on race day, so watch out for these areas: 

  • The Ambassador Bridge will have restricted traffic from the hours of 5:45 a.m to 9 a.m.
  • The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel will close between the hours of 6:45 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • The Lodge will begin to close around 3 a.m. at the I-75 interchange.

Transit 

For those without a vehicle or those who do not want to deal with the hassle of finding parking, transit is another option to travel around Detroit and Windsor. 

The People Mover 

The Detroit People Mover will be in full operation on Friday to Saturday evening. Extended hours begin on Sunday at 5 a.m. The closest stops to the Start/Finish Line is the Fort-Cass Station and COBO Center. The cost is 75 cents each way.

Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Bus 

Windsor offers a tunnel bus service that will be active on Sunday. The tunnel bus departs from the Windsor Bus Terminal at 5:30 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. and drops riders off at the TCF Center. Return trips from TCF are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Riders will need appropriate travel documentation for crossing international borders.

More information can be found here.

QLINE

The QLINE can be used to get from Midtown to Downtown. The streetcar stops at 12 stations. A single pass, which lets you ride for 3 hours, costs $1.50, and a day pass costs $3. Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Post-race party 

Once runners have completed the race, they can go celebrate at Conquered, the official marathon afterparty. Held in the parking lot on the corner of Fort and Third streets, the free event will begin at 8 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. Racers, spectators and the public have a chance to win more than $5,000 in prizes and choose from options from food trucks Bearclaw, Mac Shack and El Guapo. Beer will also be offered for a nominal price, with proceeds donated to charity. In addition, music and family games will be offered. 

Staff writer Chris Thomas contributed to this report. 

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