DETROIT – For the first time in 35 years, runners of the Detroit Free Press Marathon will have to carry something new with them: I.D.
Runners participating in the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon are being asked to have their identification on them at all times. There will be no checkpoints during the race which goes through Detroit and Windsor but if a border patrol agent asks to see your passport or enhanced driver's license you need to have it on you. Some runners were concerned this could potentially impact their times and the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon but runners were told not to worry. The I.D. requirement is simply a precautionary measure.
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Race volunteers were busily handing out bibs and information packets to those registered to run. Jonathan Schmidt whose first Free Press Marathon was 25 years ago is back for number three.
"I think around mile 19 I say to myself: what did I do," said Schmidt.
His first race 25 years ago was also his second date with his now wife Lynn. So did she know he was the one on date number two?
"I knew it on the first date when he resuscitated someone in the kitchen of the restaurant we were at and then the second date was a marathon. I had no idea what a wild ride it would be," she said.
This year the race kicks off Sunday October 21st at 7:00am. Only those previously registered are eligible to run.
There will be multiple road closures to accommodate the race.
For more information on the marathon, click here.