DETROIT, Mich.—Runners in Michigan have a new reason to lace up their shoes next spring. The inaugural Motor City Half, presented by MSU Federal Credit Union, will bring a new spring half-marathon to Detroit on April 25, 2027, offering runners a 13.1-mile course through neighbourhoods and streets not on the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s traditional fall routes.
Organizers announced the new race on Sept. 28, with the inaugural field limited to 6,000 runners. The event is intended to complement Detroit’s established fall marathon weekend while creating a new spring running event for the city.
“This is more than adding another race to the calendar; it’s creating a new way for people to experience Detroit,” says 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 race will culminate at the newly renovated Chandler Park Field House, also known as “The Dome.” For the first time, the facility will serve as the event’s hub, hosting packet pickup, the finish line, and the post-race celebration. Organizers expect the venue to welcome thousands of runners and spectators, and will announce additional course details as they’re finalized.
Runners will have an opportunity to register for the inaugural race during the Kia Health & Fitness Expo, Oct. 16-17, at Huntington Place in Detroit. Public registration will follow, with participation capped at 6,000 runners for the 2027 event and plans to expand the field in future years.
Runners who register for the Motor City Half in person at the expo also will receive early access to registration for the October 2027 Detroit Free Press Marathon, which will mark the marathon’s 50th anniversary.
“Launching the Motor City Half in the same year that we celebrate 50 years of the Detroit Free Press Marathon makes 2027 especially meaningful,” says 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.”
Established in 1978, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has attracted runners from across the region, the country, and around the world. Its fall course includes an international crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, including the underwater mile through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
The Motor City Half will offer a Detroit-only course in the spring while building on the marathon organization’s longstanding connection to the city.
The new event will also support community and philanthropic initiatives throughout Detroit, with specific partnerships and beneficiaries to be announced. Organizers said the Motor City Half will be an official zero-waste event as part of their commitment to responsible event operations and environmental stewardship.
MSU Federal Credit Union, a presenting sponsor of the Detroit Free Press Marathon, will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Motor City Half. Kia, Athletico, Brooks, Running Lab, and Planet Fitness will also support the inaugural event.
The 2027 Motor City Half is scheduled for April 25. Registration information and additional course details will be announced at motorcityhalf.com.
