Course Information

Sunday, October 19, 2008

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The route for this year’s marathon is international. While the course is flat and fast, there is a bit of a challenge with a 5% grade over approximately 775 feet for both the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. This is the only marathon course to cross international borders twice.

Runners will start on Washington Blvd. and head west through Mexican Village to the Ambassador Bridge approach. It is a spectacular run over the bridge into Windsor, Ontario. Runners will then loop north towards the riverfront. Next, they’ll head towards the entrance to the only underwater international mile in the world—the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The tunnel run is exhilarating, and thousands of spectators will greet runners on both sides of the water.

Back in the USA, runners will proceed past the old Tiger Stadium and theatre district. A half loop on Belle Isle, an island within the City, will give runners a beautiful, quiet stretch to focus and prepare for the final 10 km. Leaving Belle Isle, runners will head to Indian Village, a historical neighborhood of stately mansions and tree-lined streets. Runners should prepare for a burst of energy from the block parties that are being planned there. Once through the Village, the runners will head west towards the finish at Campus Martius with the Hard Rock Café and Compuware.

Course features:

International course crossing US/Canadian border at two points
Dual start with line-up corrals (line up based on anticipated finishing time)
Ambassador Bridge
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel - only underwater international mile in the world
Belle Isle
Historic neighborhoods
GU Station
Plenty of support and volunteers
Entertainment on the course
Numerous Port-A-Johns
Boston qualifier
USATF sanctioned and certified