In brief
City officials acknowledge that the 2026 Edmonton Marathon course was 674.7 metres longer than prescribed, owing to a last‑minute detour near Wellington Bridge. Runners who logged over 26.22 miles during the race now face uncertainty about their official times and potential Boston Marathon qualification. The race director, Tom Keogh, emphasises that chip counts—not GPS watches—determine eligibility and pledges cooperation with Athletics Canada to validate results.
Organisers of the Edmonton Marathon have confirmed that the 2026 course was 674.7 metres (0.41 miles) longer than it should have been.
The event, held annually in Alberta, serves as a key qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon. Runners who finished the race reported GPS distances exceeding 26.22 miles, prompting widespread concern.
Initially, officials downplayed the issue. However, the race director, Tom Keogh, issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and apologising for the impact on participants’ performances and qualification prospects.
Keogh cited construction around the Wellington Bridge, which forced a slight detour, as the primary cause of the over‑measure. The added distance has meant many runners may have missed the official qualifying time required for the Boston Marathon, as well as personal best‑time declarations.
According to athletes Canada, official chip times—not GPS watch data—are the criteria used to assess qualifying performance. Organisers are currently collaborating with Athletics Canada and other stakeholders to determine how to recognise results from this year’s event.
The incident highlights the importance of accurate course measurement and the reliance on validated time‑keeping systems in long‑distance racing.
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