Millar Holmes-Hill/Windsor Star
With trade skirmishes sparking tension between Canada and the U.S., Windsor will showcase its own brand of diplomacy this month — lining Riverside Drive with cheers as Detroit Free Press Marathon runners cross the border.
The international race, one of only a handful in the world, will see more than 26,000 runners cross over the Ambassador Bridge before looping through the city and returning to the Motor City via the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
More than 2,600 Canadians are expected to take part, according to race officials.
For Gordon Orr, CEO of Invest WindsorEssex and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the symbolism is hard to miss.
“It is more important now than ever to underscore the importance of our two countries and our two economies and how interconnected they are when looking through the tourism lenses,” Orr told the Star. “Line The Drive will welcome thousands of Americans to our great country and vice versa.
“We welcome them with open arms and this marathon demonstrates the importance of our two nation destination brand.”
The runner route for 2025 has been enhanced to include an additional half kilometre run through downtown Windsor, showcasing the new City Hall Square and Windsor City Hall in addition to running along the waterfront on Riverside Drive West.
“We are proud to welcome runners, families, and visitors through the Line the Drive experience again this year, giving them a glimpse of the vibrancy and hospitality that Windsor has to offer and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
“This initiative not only celebrates our role in the Detroit Free Press Marathon, but also showcases our community as a destination people will want to return to and explore more fully.”
Canadian ‘cheer zones’ are being hosted in the downtown core by the City of Windsor, in partnership with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.
Cheer zones will be stationed along Riverside Drive and around City Hall Square, with another outside the tunnel entrance for the large crowd of morning race fans usually present among the city’s core.
Ward 3. Coun. Renaldo Agostino said the effort is about show Windsor at its best.
“Line the Drive is about creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that puts downtown Windsor’s best foot forward,” Agostino said. “By filling the streets with energy, music and community spirit, we’re showing visitors and residents alike that our downtown is vibrant, inviting, and worth experiencing again and again.”
The marathon will force the closure of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel from 6:15 to 10 a.m. as runners go underground to return to the American side. The Ambassador Bridge will have restricted traffic Sunday morning.
After crossing the bridge into Windsor, the marathoners head north on Huron Church Road and then east along Riverside Drive to Ouellette Avenue. From there, they cut east on University Avenue to McDougall Street before heading to the tunnel.
Marathon organizers announced in April that the race had the fastest sell-out in the event’s 48-year history.
The race was also named Best Marathon in the United States by USA Today as part of the 2025 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by readers and runners alike who help make our international marathon the pride of the Motor City,” said race director Aaron Velthoven. “This is a testament to the hard work and passion of our team, volunteers, and participants each and every year.”
The 2025 Detroit Free Press Marathon will take place on Oct. 19, with additional races and events occurring throughout the weekend.