CP NewsAlert: Botched Edmonton Marathon costs 13 runners shot at Boston Marathon

**Edmonton Marathon’s Course Error Affects 13 Runners’ Boston Marathon Qualification**

*Edmonton, Alberta – August 2024* – A mismeasurement of the Edmonton Marathon course on Aug. 16 resulted in a distance that was approximately two‑thirds of a kilometre longer than the standard marathon length. The error has led to 13 Edmonton participants being denied entry into the Boston Marathon, despite the event’s policy of accepting qualifying times from the race.

Boston Marathon officials confirmed that while the organization would consider times from the Edmonton race if the athletes met the Boston qualifying standards, it would not accept adjusted times that compensate for the extra distance. Consequently, the 13 runners whose results required such adjustments were not granted qualifying status.

Out of the 105 Edmonton competitors who submitted their times for Boston qualification, the Boston Marathon accepted the results of 92 athletes. The remaining 13 were excluded because their times could not be validated under the Boston Marathon’s criteria.

Edmonton Marathon organizers said they are cooperating with Athletics Canada to investigate how the course discrepancy occurred and to determine any remedial actions. No further details have been released about the investigation.

The Canadian Press reported the incident.

Article and image source: airdriecityview.com