Seawall construction forces new Inline Marathon finish line

By WDIO

The finish line of the NorthShore Inline Marathon will be moved for the 2024 race.

Instead of finishing near the William A. Irvin on Harbor Drive, skaters will conclude the race on the I-35 frontage road near the 5th Ave. W bridge. Seawall construction has closed Harbor Drive from the Great Lakes Aquarium around the back of the DECC.

The new finish line means the race will be shorter than 26.2 miles, so course records will not be recognized.

Race organizers said they had hoped to finish on Canal Park Drive, but “the unavailability of an access bridge – resulting from recent weather conditions preventing a cement pour from curing – required a shift in plans.”

To get to the finish, skaters will still go through the tunnels and up the ramp to the 5th Avenue bridge, then turn northbound onto the I-35 frontage road.

Organizers hope to return to the traditional route around the DECC and finish line on Harbor Drive in 2025.