Detroit Marathon and Health Expo Coincide with Campaign Event

The 47th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon has officially commenced as a vibrant start to the weekend of races in Detroit. The first wave of enthusiastic marathon runners set off at 7 a.m. from the downtown intersection of West Fort Street and 2nd Avenue. Participants in the Adaptive Athlete Division commenced their journey slightly earlier at 6:58 a.m.

This year’s marathon route retains its renowned international course, taking runners through Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Additionally, the course spans various Detroit neighborhoods, including Woodbridge and Indian Village, and it includes sites such as Eastern Market and the Dequindre Cut before concluding at Campus Martius.

The marathon weekend also comprises other competitive events, including the 1-Mile, 5K, and Kids Marathon, which took place on Saturday, as well as the half-marathon scheduled alongside the marathon on Sunday. Weather forecasts predict clear skies for Sunday, with temperatures beginning at 45 degrees Fahrenheit and rising to a mid-day high in the mid-60s. The conditions are expected to be sunny and cool in the morning, warming into the low 70s by the afternoon.

A concurrent event this weekend is the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s Health & Fitness Expo, which is experiencing a significant change in layout due to a presidential campaign event. Former President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally on Friday evening at the same venue, Huntington Place. This has necessitated alterations in the expo setup to ensure a smooth operation and maintain security.

The Health & Fitness Expo will occur as planned from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, overlapping with the start of Trump’s rally at 7 p.m. In response, the expo’s location is moving from Hall B to Hall A, nearer to Congress Street, to provide greater separation from the rally’s security perimeter. Adjustments include the closure of Huntington Place’s rooftop deck from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, with a security checkpoint installed at the helix base on Congress Street. Visitors are advised to avoid rooftop deck parking due to expected delays.

Expo hours on Saturday have been extended from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it is anticipated to attract over 50,000 attendees over the two days. “We appreciate all the folks who are working extra hard to make sure bib pickup runs smoothly and the expo remains a great experience for our guests,” stated Aaron Velthoven, vice president and race director. He acknowledged the efforts of Huntington Place staff, convention services, the Teamsters, race staff, and volunteers, stating, “We’re Detroiters, and we’re going to roll up our sleeves and get the job done.”

Detroit Police will be on duty at Washington Boulevard to assist with traffic management, allowing vehicles to enter Huntington Place’s fire lane and VIP circle. Road closures around the venue may result in travel disruptions near the time of the campaign rally. All attendees are advised to plan accordingly to accommodate these changes.