New spring race will showcase a never-before-used Detroit course; 1st registrants will receive early access to 50th October races
DETROIT – September 28, 2026 — A new chapter in Detroit’s running tradition is set to begin next spring. Organizers of the Detroit Free Press Marathon today announced the inaugural Motor City Half presented by MSUFCU, a new springtime 13.1-mile race through Detroit, is scheduled for April 25, 2027. The event will introduce runners to neighborhoods and streets not featured on the organization’s traditional fall course before culminating at the newly renovated Chandler Park Field House.
With a field limited to 6,000 runners for its inaugural year, the Motor City Half is designed to become a signature spring running event for Detroit and complement the city’s longstanding fall marathon weekend.
“This is more than adding another race to the calendar, it’s creating a new way for people to experience Detroit,” said Aaron Velthoven, race director and vice president. “We’ve spent nearly five decades building a running tradition in this city, and now we’re taking that tradition into the spring. The Motor City Half will give runners a fresh course, a different season and an entirely different experience of Detroit.”
The Motor City Half will officially kick off Detroit’s spring running season, offering a course that has never been part of the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s fall race routes and creating a new Detroit running tradition.
For the first time, the newly renovated Chandler Park Field House will serve as the center of the event, hosting packet pickup, the finish line and the post-race celebration.
The venue known as “The Dome”, will welcome thousands of runners and spectators for what organizers expect to be its largest events since the facility opened last year.
Additional course details will be announced at a later date.
Runners will have an exclusive opportunity to register early for the inaugural Motor City Half during the Kia Health & Fitness Expo, October 16–17 at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, as part of Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend.
Following the Expo, registration will open to the public at https://motorcityhalf.com/, with participation limited to 6,000 runners for the 2027 inaugural event, with expectations to expand the number of runner spots in future years.
As an additional benefit for early registrants, runners who register for the Motor City Half on-site at the Expo will be given early access to register for the October 2027 Detroit Free Press Marathon, which will celebrate the marathon’s 50th anniversary. The 50th anniversary race is expected to be one of the most significant events in the marathon’s history.
“Launching the Motor City Half in the same year that we celebrate 50 years of the Detroit Free Press Marathon makes 2027 especially meaningful,” said Velthoven. “It connects our history with our future. We’re celebrating where Detroit running has been, while creating something that gives the next generation of runners a reason to make their own memories here.”
Since 1978, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has brought runners from across the region, the country, and around the world, to Detroit each fall. Its internationally recognized course includes the unique experience of traveling between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, including the famed underwater mile through the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel.
The Motor City Half will build on that legacy while offering a distinctly Detroit only experience in the spring.
The Motor City Half will also support community and philanthropic initiatives throughout Detroit, with specific partnerships and beneficiaries to be announced in the coming months. The event will be an official zero-waste event, continuing the organizers’ commitment to responsible event operations and environmental stewardship.
MSU Federal Credit Union, a longtime presenting sponsor of the Detroit Free Press Marathon, will serve as presenting sponsor of the Motor City Half Marathon. Inaugural sponsors Kia, Athletico, Brooks, Running Lab and Planet Fitness will also support the launch of the new event.
Registration information and additional course details for the inaugural Motor City Half will be announced at https://motorcityhalf.com/
Follow the Motor City Half Marathon on social:
IG: @MotorCityHalfm
FB: @MotorCityHalf-Marathon
About the Detroit Free Press Marathon:
The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSUFCU, is Michigan’s largest road race, North America’s largest international road race and a beloved tradition among runners across the world. Established in 1978, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has grown into one of the world’s premier running events, famously crossing international borders to showcase the best of the Motor City and Windsor, Canada. With a mission of promoting health, community involvement and world-class competition, the marathon stands as a highlight of Detroit’s annual sporting calendar. This year’s race weekend arrives October 16-18, 2026. Races include the Marathon, International Half-Marathon, Motor City Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5k, 1-Mile, Kids Marathon Presented by Priority Health and Meijer Little Detroit Dash. Beyond the races, the weekend features an expansive Kia Health & Fitness Expo, community engagement and volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit www.freepmarathon.com or follow us on social media at Facebook and Instagram.