Start and Finish Areas
Sunday, October 17, 2010
We will once again use a shared Start/Finish area on W. Fort St. at Second Ave. near the Detroit Media Partnership building – which houses the Detroit Free Press. With its 7-lane width, the Free Press location allows flexibility and improved runner flow. Combining the start and finish lines into one design enable organizers to combine resources and improve runner and spectator experiences alike.As reported, this year's Free Press Marathon will incorporate a "Wave Start" for the Marathon, Half-Marathon Run/Walk and 5-Person Relay.
In the wave start, smaller 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.
For a better understanding of traffic flow and the dedicated services for each, we have developed separate maps of the Start and Finish Areas, although they share the same geography.
For a map of the Start Area, click here.
For a map of the Finish Area, click here.
Please note that these maps are NOT to scale. Check back closer to race day for last minute revisions.
