Capacity

Relay teams: 600 teams

Note: Should we reach capacity before registration is over, we reserve the right to close without notice. These events do sell out, so you’ll want to take advantage of reduced rates and guaranteed participation by registering as soon as possible. Also note that on-site registration is not available for any events.

How It Works

Build a Relay Team

A team of five runners will cover the entire 26.2 mile distance. Each runner will run one leg of 3-7 miles. The team can have as few as three members competing. However, this will require that some team members run more than one leg. For example, if a team has only three members, the first runner may run the first two legs of the relay, the second runner may run the next two, while the third runner runs the final distance to the finish line. If a team has four members, one member must run two legs of the relay.

This year, there are several different entry categories for relay teams. They include:

  • Male
  • Female
  • Mixed – 3:2 Ratio
  • Male Masters (Age 40 and older)
  • Female Masters (Age 40 and older)
  • Mixed Masters (Age 40 and older) – 3:2 Ratio

NOTE: For a mixed team to qualify for awards, the team must contain at least two female members.

Each team captain is responsible for creating and paying for the team through registration. The additional team members must register themselves online after team creation. All team members must be registered by August 28th, 2012. There will be no on-site registration allowed for relay teams, or leg reassignments.

Numbers and Timing Tags

Team members must wear a number visible on their front. Team members must also wear a “RELAY” bib on their back. Each leg of the relay will be timed. Runners of each leg will be given a timing tag which must be attached to their shoelace. Each leg will be timed individually, in addition to the total team time.

 

Relay Instructions

Location of Relay Buses:

All relay buses will be located on Fort Street between Washington Blvd, and Griswold 3 blocks directly east of the start.  Boarding the buses begins at 5:45am.  Buses will depart IMMEDIATELY at their scheduled time. Do not miss your bus. The Ambassador Bridge closes at 6:45am and it will be impossible to cross.

Leg #1 (6.2 miles)

  • Leg #1 begins at the official start line located at Fort and 2nd.  You must start in the appropriate wave which can be found on your bib and was assigned to you based on your estimated pace.  There is no transportation to leg #1.

Leg #2 (6.0 miles)

  • Buses designated #2 will depart at 6:30 am for exchange #2 in Windsor, located on Riverside Drive between Bruce and Church (only runners with yellow bibs will be allowed to enter these buses).

Leg #3 (6.7 miles)

  • Leg #3 is approximately 1/4 mile from the start/finish line located at Michigan and 3rd (runners will have grey bibs).
  • There is no transportation to this exchange.

Leg #4 (2.9 miles)

  • Buses designated #4 will depart at 7:00 am for exchange #4 which is located at E. Jefferson & Baldwin (only runners with a grey bib will be allowed to enter these buses).

Leg #5 (4.4 miles)

  • Buses designated #5 will depart at 7:00 am for exchange #5 on Belle Isle, Sunset Dr. and Casino Way which is located at (only runners with a red bib will be allowed to enter these buses).
  • IMPORTANT- Only the runner completing leg #5, with a red bib on will receive the team medals (all five).  If your running multiple legs, make sure you have the red bib on when finishing or you will not receive any medals.
  • Please note there is NO TEAM RUN-IN across the finish line.  Any team that has more than one member crossing the finish line will be disqualified.

Relay Exchanges:

There will be a single staging area at each relay exchange.  There will be volunteers calling out incoming team numbers. This should help in locating your incoming team member.  However, it is the responsibility of the relay teams and each team member to know when their team member will be arriving at each exchange. This can be approximated by knowing each of the team member’s running pace (how fast they run).  This will help in estimating when they will be arriving at each relay exchange.  Many runners now carry cell phones for this communication.

Returning Relay Runners to the Relay Reunion/Finish:

The Relay Recovery and Reunion location will be at Lafayette between Fifth and the Lodge Service Drive (on the bridge over the Lodge Freeway). This location is at the far west end of the finish area (approximately 3 blocks west and 1 block north of the finish line).   Only relay participants with their race number bibs will be allowed to enter this designated area. NO Spectators are allowed in this area.

No Relay Run-In At The Finish:

Runner safety and security prevent a team run-in at the finish. Therefore the last leg of the relay is the GLORY LEG to be run by one member of the team. Failure to comply could result in team disqualification. Relay teams will be able to meet near the relay team entrance for their reunion and team photos.

Team finisher medals will be given to the runner of leg #5 who will have a red bib (race number). Leg #5 will be printed on the red bib and only the runner with this bib will be given the finisher metals for the entire team (make sure to take medals for each member of your team). If for some reason a team has to replace the Leg #5 runner, that runner must run with the red bib in order to get the team medals.

Time Requirements:

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 the following milestones:

Milestones

Miles Kilometers Landmark Time
1.85 2.97 Bridge Entrance 7:51am
6.9 11.1 Tunnel Entrance 9:03am
8.1 13 Tunnel Exit 9:24am
13.1 21 Larned St. 10:39am
16 25.7 E. Lafayette Ave. 11:22am
18 29 Indian Village 11:51pm
23 37 Jefferson St. 11:06pm
26.2 42.1 Finish Line 1:50pm

NOTE: 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.

International Requirements:

All relay divisions are international events crossing US and Canadian borders twice. It is a privilege and an honor to use the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Do not drop articles of clothing, water bottles, tissue or paper cups as you run across these prestigious landmarks.

It is imperative that you accurately complete all information on the registration form, including date of birth, citizenship, and green card information (if applicable). All registrations are submitted to the Department of Homeland Security for pre-approval. For further requirements and restrictions click here.