Detroit Free Press Marathon sells out in record time; Canadian participation trending up

The annual Detroit Free Press Marathon is already sold out for 2025, setting a new record for sell-out speed.

And Canadian participation is trending upward, according to vice-president and race director Aaron Velthoven, in spite of a general trend by Canadians to avoid U.S. travel. 

It's a testament to the community that exists between runners around the world and to the inclusive nature of the marathon, Velthoven said. 

"We're very much about celebrating the sport," he said.

"I mean, we're a marathon that allows walkers to run our race or to walk our race. We have an adaptive athletes division that includes athletes with … disabilities."

Canadians have been cancelling American travel since U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening to make Canada the 51st state and imposing tariffs on the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection registered a 9.2 per cent drop in passenger vehicle traffic from Windsor to Detroit in February of 2025 compared with February of 2024.  

Statistics Canada found that U.S.-bound road trips declined by 23 per cent nationwide over the same time period. And numerous travel agents and tourism operators have reported significant declines in U.S. travel.

But Velthoven said more than 2,500 Canadians are currently registered for the marathon, which is set to take place Oct. 17-19.

And he expects Canadian racers to make up 12 to 15 per cent of the approximately 26,000 total participants across all weekend races by the time the final list is confirmed.

Typically, he said, the number would be around 10 per cent. 

One Canadian runner who is registered for the event said the political situation south of the border has no impact on runners like him.

"If anything, my American friends have been even more welcoming to me," David St. Germain said.  

"When I go over there and whenever I travel over there, and you tell them you're from Canada, they're like, 'Hey. We love you.' So no. We still stay close. I think if anything, probably a little bit closer."

The general manager of two Running Factory locations in Windsor, Kyle McCamon, echoed St. Germain's comments saying there is still unity in running.

"There's still unity in fitness and chasing that goal," McCamon said.

'Blown away'

"No matter who you are, what your background ... it's still a goal that should be celebrated regardless of where you're at geographically." 

 The marathon sold out for the first time last year, but it didn't happen until July, Velthoven said.

This year, more than 8,000 people registered within the first few hours after registration opened Jan. 1.

"We were blown away," he said. 

But while key events — the marathon and international half marathon, unique races that take runners across the Ambassador Bridge and through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel — are sold out, other races that form part of the weekend's activities still have space available, Velthoven said.

Those include the Detroit-only half marathon, the marathon relay, the 5K and the kids marathon.

What's more, there is a wait list for the marathon and international half, he said.

"We do get folks that will defer their registration to next year," he said. 

"You know, they may get an injury during training. They may have a life event [that] conflicts with race day. So we typically see probably about 1,000 deferrals a year, and that opens up spots for folks."

But if people either can't or don't want to participate in the Detroit event, they can take part in the Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon the month prior, McCamon said.

That event takes place Sept. 14.