While the Edmonton Marathon says it is working to adjust results of Sunday’s race after the course was found to be measured incorrectly, runners looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon are out of luck. The Boston Marathon said it will not accept adjusted results of any race if the distance is over or under 42.2 kilometres. “The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) relies on marathon events and race organizers to uphold the integrity of their official results, certified course and distance,” said a statement from the organization, adding that it doesn’t comment on other events directly. In a statement Tuesday night, Edmonton Marathon said it was determined that a turnaround point did not fully offset the addition of the Wellington Bridge detour, resulting in the course being an extra 674.7 metres long. Typically the course goes across the Wellington Bridge on 102 Avenue. This year construction detoured the route through the Glenora neighbourhood to avoid the bridge. “Construction was known well in advance, and so the route was planned around that,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “I don’t know how that ultimately came to be, where the measurement was off, and I feel terrible for the people who participated … I feel terrible for the organizers.” Edmonton Marathon race director Tom Keogh said the organization is still in talks with the BAA to determine how results can be recognized for qualifying times. “Recognizing the results for the Edmonton Marathon participants is a top priority,” said Keogh in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “We are committed to keeping participants informed of any updates.” Hundreds of racers reached out to Edmonton Marathon and the media about noticing the course was longer than proclaimed, particularly around half-way checkpoints and toward the end of the race. Mitch Walz of Airdrie, Alta., was hoping to have a chance at qualifying for the Boston Marathon in this year’s race. “When I realized there was an error in the last few kilometres … I lost a lot of motivation to push,” explained Walz. “I ended up running slower because I lost focus, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.” He said adjusting the time would be appreciated, but the damage had already been done at that point. “It wasn’t a guarantee, but the odds are very, very low now compared to what they would have been had (the distance) been correct.” Women’s half-marathon winner Jadyn Keeler was close to breaking a Canadian record at the Edmonton Marathon. “I could have broken a record – maybe I wouldn’t have,” said Keeler. “We can never know for sure … It definitely dampened the moment a little bit, even though I was so happy to be winning my first national title. “Even if they are able to change the times a bit, it still doesn’t fully reflect what a person’s effort could have been.” The 23-year-old from Barrie, Ont., will still go on to compete in the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September. Although the race came with plenty of frustration, both Walz and Keeler expressed gratitude for the event and the volunteers. “Aside from the distance mishap, I think the event was very well run … the volunteers were amazing … I had a ton of fun,” said Keeler. “I assume this type of problem will never happen again, so I would definitely come back.” “The city is great, the route is great, the volunteers are incredible. There are so many good things about that race,” said Walz. “Humans make mistakes … I have no ill will at all.” That being said, Walz is on the fence on whether he will return next year and doubts many others will be back in Edmonton for the 2027 race. Athletics Canada and the Edmonton Marathon say they are working to review how errors can be minimized in races going forward. The Edmonton Marathon, which touts the event as a flat and fast Boston Marathon qualifier, saw 10,000 runners from around the world participate in the race. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti
