Canadian marathon route was 674m too long

The Edmonton Marathon, held in Alberta, Canada on August 16, had a course that was 674.7 meters longer than intended, according to race organizers. This error resulted in the route being over 26.22 miles long, exceeding the standard distance for a marathon. The extra length was attributed to construction work near the Wellington Bridge, causing a deviation from the usual path.

Race director Tom Keogh expressed deep regret, stating that the finishing times of elite athletes were not accurate reflections of their exceptional performances. He also emphasized that the organizers did not provide the standard experience participants were entitled to. The mistake could have prevented some runners from qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon, as well as potentially altering their personal best times.

Since chip times recorded by race officials, rather than watch-based data, are used for qualification purposes, this discrepancy may have significant implications for affected participants. Organizers are collaborating with Athletics Canada and other partners to evaluate how this year's results will be handled.