Canadian government requires ArriveCan app for Detroit marathon runners

If you are planning to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Oct. 16, you will have to download the ArriveCan app and follow Canada’s COVID protocols, or you will be forced to abandon the race.

Although the marathon starts and finishes in Detroit, all participants cross the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ont., to run a small portion of the race along the riverside and then return to Detroit via a tunnel under the Detroit River.

An email was sent out to all participants of the race on Sept. 8, saying, “We have been notified by the Canadian government that ALL international race participants will be required to use ArriveCan as part of their participation at all Detriot Free Press Marathon events.

“This procedure is mandatory to complete to participate in the Detriot Free Press Marathon and failure to do so could result in being prohibited from entering Canada and a DNF.”

Race participants were also warned of another way they could be denied at the border: Canada’s current COVID isolation period.

“Canada has a 10-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19, meaning if you test positive for COVID-19 anytime after Oct. 5, you are not allowed to cross into Canada on race day,” the email states.

Runners taking part in the marathon and international half marathon will be required to carry three things during the race–a passport, a digital or paper copy of your proof of vaccination and a digital or paper copy of your ArriveCan receipt (including the eight-digit receipt reference code). Runners may have their hands full.

The Detriot Free Press Marathon has been a fixture on the North American running calendar since the late 1970s. The race is a USATF-certified course and is a popular race destination for many Canadians looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Critics have been calling for the abolition of the app for months, due to the necessity of having to use a digital device, the level of detail required and its possible effect on airport delays.

posted Wednesday September 14th
by Marley Dickinson