Worth Running For: Detroit Free Press Marathon

From the Health & Fitness Expo at Huntington Place to the Conquered: Marathon Afterparty, there's much fun to be had in this 46th annual run worth sharing about. Happy to report on all things necessary to know for those who are ready to run or hoping to volunteer. Put your best foot forward at the Detroit Free Press Marathon!

The race weekend will take place Oct. 13-15, 2023. First up is the Health & Fitness Expo, a prime place to gather essentials on Friday and Saturday. Then it’s time to get grooving! The 5K, Competitive 1-Mile, and Meijer Kids Fun Run are all slated for Saturday, Oct. 14.

Then it’s time for the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, U.S.-Only Half-Marathon, and Marathon Relay. All four events will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15.

The annual spectacle of the Detroit Free Press Marathon is upon us. What follows is a bird's eye view of this highly anticipated annual event worth running for, cheering on, and more.

Literally! The marathon recruits more than 1,000 volunteers each year. This is a prime chance for organized groups, such as sports teams, schools, or clubs looking for creative ways to collect community service hours while doing something fun. Come be part of a phenomenal run!

Detroit Free Press Marathon volunteers are vital to the success of the race. The marathon volunteer group provides dedicated encouragement and support to the participants and staff.

Volunteer jobs vary from distributing bibs and goodie bags prior to race day, to communicating with runners at the start line, distributing water throughout the course, directing runners at various points during the races, and the exciting rush of distributing medals at the finish line.

Choose the route that best fits your schedule and interest in volunteering. Plenty of opportunity to find a role that suits your volunteer style. Speaking of which, volunteers receive a gift of a commemorative jacket with the logo for the Detroit Free Press Marathon.

Last-minute race prep items from apparel to nutrition and mobile hydration can all be found right here! Pop into the timely Health & Fitness Expo at Huntington Place from 1-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Free and open to the public, the expo will feature exhibitors offering 2023 marathon merchandise and the latest running footwear, apparel, nutrition, technology, and more. Plus, plenty of samples to gather for those who enjoy a healthy selection of freebies to bring home.

Directions to the race can be found on the website right here. Plenty of instruction is provided to help with where to go. A variety of park-and-walk options are listed and mapped out clearly from all corners of the city - RenCen to Corktown, Greektown, and even Comerica Park.

Whichever landmark you choose to park near, they are all clearly described on the website with easy-to-follow, park-and-walk directions provided. Notable closures for navigation are also detailed right on the website.

Runners will be glad to know the Detroit Free Press Marathon is certified by USA Track and Field (USATF) officials each year to an exact standard that guarantees event distances are correct. Along with that, it is a Boston-qualifying race. Runners are eligible to apply if they run a qualifying time. The qualifying standard and the application process is covered at www.BAA.org.

The list of generous charities that have partnered with the Detroit Free Press Marathon is long enough to warm your heart for the run! From the American Cancer Society to Love Runs Detroit and The Paws Clinic, this year’s lineup of 2023 charities will inspire you to give it your best run!

Others include Forging Youth Resilience, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kirk Gibson Foundation, LifeLab Kids, Zaman, Veterans Connected, The Mel Bornstein Clinic, Herren Project, Samaritas, and so many more. Along with charities, see the full lineup of sponsors.

An apple a day keeps us ready to run, right? However you say it, Envy Apples will provide a healthy snack to munch on for participants at the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Fuel up with the official apple of the Detroit Free Press Marathon when you sink your teeth into Envy Apples.

Beyond Envy Apples, the Spirit of Detroit is ready to soar throughout the streets as Marathoners take to trekking towards the finish line on Saturday and Sunday. If you see them running along their designated paths, be sure to cheer them on!

The cash prizes for winning each race of the event are significant! Catch the detailed breakdown of monetary winnings and awards right on the event website. First place for the Full Marathon will bank $3,000 based on clock time. Rules and regulations apply, including the Anti-Doping Policy, per the details shared on the event website.

Campus Martius is the place to be after the race! Join the annual afterparty where runners and supporters gather after Sunday’s race events. It’s a chance to relax and celebrate in a casual atmosphere fittingly near the finish line.

The Conquered afterparty is free and open to the public with live entertainment, a beer tent, food for purchase, giveaways, and more. Stop by the hospitality tents to visit with some of the marathon’s key charity partners who make the race possible with their unwavering support.