Edmonton Marathon Faces Course Length Dispute — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Marathon Handbook reports runners claim the Edmonton Marathon's half-marathon course was longer than advertised. Race director Tom Keogh cited a 1 percent tolerance, attributed to World Athletics and Athletics Canada. Runners reported their watches showed the course was over 800 meters longer.
Athletics Canada and World Athletics set a 0.1 percent limit on measurement uncertainty. GPS accuracy is near 5 meters per kilometer, with error accumulating. Runners were forced out of their lanes at a work zone, adding distance. Satellite tracking also affects readings. Read more culture coverage.
Athletics Canada and the race director defended the certified course distance. The policy does not allow for contesting certified distances. Boston Marathon registration opens Sept. 14, accepting times from certified courses. Related: Edmonton Marathon Faces Course Measurement Dispute.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Edmonton Marathon Faces Course Length Dispute?
Runners claim the half-marathon course was significantly longer than advertised. Marathon Handbook reports runners claim the Edmonton Marathon's half-marathon course was longer than advertised. Race director Tom Keogh cited a 1 percent tolerance, attributed to World Athletics and Athletics Canada. Runners reported their watches showed the course was over 800 meters longer.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on August 19, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated August 18, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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