Botched Edmonton Marathon costs 13 runners shot at Boston Marathon

**Edmonton Marathon’s Course Miscalculation Affects Boston Marathon Qualification for 13 Runners**

*Edmonton, Alberta – September 3, 2026* — A measurement error in the Edmonton Marathon held on August 16 resulted in the race being approximately 0.67 kilometres longer than the standard marathon distance, preventing 13 participants from qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

The marathon’s organizers confirmed that the course was 674.7 metres longer than the required 42.195 kilometres. The discrepancy stemmed from a mapped detour that was not accounted for in the official course certification. While the organizers initially defended the calculated distance, a subsequent review acknowledged the miscalculation.

The Boston Athletic Association (BAA), which administers the Boston Marathon, stated that it will accept the finishing times of 92 Edmonton Marathon competitors for Boston qualification. However, the association will not accept adjusted times for the 13 runners whose results were affected by the extra distance, effectively disqualifying them from Boston entry.

Edmonton Marathon race director Tom Keogh said the organization will contact the affected runners and collaborate with Athletics Canada to review the course certification process. “It is evident the community that gathers through this event is resilient, passionate, kind and deserving of nothing less than our very best,” Keogh said in a statement. “We commit that this distance miscalculation does not happen again.”

Despite the length issue, race officials reported that two course records were broken, one each in the men’s and women’s marathon divisions.

The Canadian Press first reported the story on September 3, 2026.

Article and image source: rmoutlook.com