Two days post the Edmonton Marathon, the race director issues an apology following the revelation of an error in accounting for detours, resulting in longer race courses. This acknowledgment aligns with suspicions raised by many runners.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Edmonton Marathon race director Tom Keogh disclosed that both the half-marathon and marathon courses were found to be 674.7 meters longer than initially believed. Keogh admitted to the mistake in calculating detour-related adjustments, expressing sincere regret for the oversight.
Keogh took full responsibility for the error, emphasizing the thorough review conducted by event officials. Despite previous assurances regarding course certification, the additional distance from a detour at Wellington Bridge was not adequately accounted for in the course adjustments.
Elite and amateur runners had voiced concerns about the race distances before the statement was issued. Keogh previously asserted that the courses were accurately measured and confirmed on race day but later admitted to an unforeseen error in the process.
The Edmonton Marathon’s updated position on the issue has prompted discussions with Athletics Canada and other relevant partners to address the impact on this year’s results, particularly for qualifiers like the Boston Marathon. Runner Mitch Walz, aiming for a Boston Marathon qualification, expressed disappointment after realizing his official time was affected by the extended course distance.
Looking ahead, Keogh pledged a review of certification processes to prevent similar errors in the future. The Boston Athletic Association clarified that adjusted results could only be considered if the qualifying time was met, regardless of any distance discrepancies during the race.