Events & Races
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Registration is now open! Click here.
With a unique course crossing the U.S./Canadian border twice and great musical entertainment along the way, there's no end to the excitement of running this race!
We pride ourselves on giving you an extraordinary experience. From first-timers to old-timers, runners are our top priority. Our staff is dedicated to providing you with supportive volunteers, the chance to make great friends, a historic race course, and the opportunity to accomplish a lifetime achievement.
Along with a fast, spectator-friendly course, we offer the following international divisions:
We also offer a 5k Fun Run and Fitness Walk and Kids' 5K (3.1 miles) Fun Run.
Beginning this year, we will be taking online registrations only. If you do not have a personal computer, here are some other options that may be available for you to sign up for these events:
Contact friends with Internet access
Computer terminals at your local public library
A local university that offers free Internet access
A local Internet café
If you have Internet access at home or work, you may want to host a registration party with your friends who participate. It may even be a great way to find a training partner for the 2010 event!
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
On June 1, 2009 more stringent requirements for border crossings in North America were implemented. ALL participants 16 and older in the international events (Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay legs 1 & 2) MUST personally present a passport or enhanced drivers license when picking up their race packets. Children under the age of 16 will be able to personally present proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization card or passport). There are NO exceptions.
ALL packets for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay Legs 1 & 2 MUST be PERSONALLY picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo.
Start times
Because we will not have a divided start as in past years, marathon (including relay) and half marathon participants will not be segregated. Each participant will be seeded by the projected pace they reported when registering. Thus a faster half marathon walker might be starting beside a slower marathon runner in the same corral (wave).
7:13 AM- Disabilities Division
7:15 AM- Marathon, Half Marathon Run/Walk and Marathon Relay
7:30 AM- 5k Fun Run/Walk (using unique start line)
Wave Start
The Free Press/Flagstar Marathon incorporates a "Wave Start" for the Marathon, Half-Marathon Run/Walk and Relay divisions.
In a wave start, groups of participants will be sent off at two-minute intervals beginning at 7:15 AM. Groups are based on the projected pace indicated on the registration form. Because we will not have a divided start as in past years, marathon (including Relay Leg #1) and half marathon participants will not be segregated. Thus a fast half marathon walker may be starting beside a slower-paced marathon runner in the same corral (wave). For a diagram of a wave start, click here. No matter in what wave you are positioned (A-K), you should be in position by 7:00 AM.
Time Requirements
You must be able to complete the marathon in six and a half hours, and the half marathon in four hours, from the time the “Last Chance Pacer” crosses the start line. We will close the marathon course at 2:05 PM and the half marathon course at 11:35 AM.
We consider our events “competitive”, and not simply as fun runs or walks. A “Last Chance Pacer” will be provided for both events. These pacers will travel at the average pace needed to cross the finish line at six and a half hours for the marathon and four hours for the half marathon. Your progress will be monitored throughout the race. If you fall significantly behind the “Last Chance Pacer”, you will be given fair warning to pick up the pace. If you can’t keep pace, you will be required to board a bus following the pacers to be transported back to the start-finish area.
We are fortunate to offer two international border crossings during the course of our event. To continue providing this unique opportunity, we MUST re-open the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to vehicular traffic at 10:00 AM. To ensure your safety and to meet all time limits, we have established certain milestones (see your event page for more details). If at any time you fall behind these milestone times, you may be required to board a bus to be transported back to the start-finish area.
Other Information
We are home to one of the best organized health and fitness expos in the country with over 50 exhibitors. Click here for more information if you are interested in exhibiting at this year's Health and Fitness Expo.
