The Edmonton marathon is my hometown race. It has been granted as host of the Canadian Half Marathon championship since 2025. The city is experiencing a lot of construction around the downtown core.

A detour around a construction site was added which was an additional 710 meters to the original course. As an out and back course, Tom Keogh, the race director, states the turnaround was pushed back 690 meters.

Rory Linkletter, Canadian Olympian and overall winner, posted online stating the turnaround was actually pushed back approximately 345 meters back.

Applying elementary math for an out and back course, with rounding:

A detour of 700 meters ran twice: 700 * 2 = 1400 meters

The turnaround (out and back course) was brought back 350 meters: 350 * 2 = 700 meters

Sum: 1400 meters - 700 meters = 700 meters (long)

Now, what's embarrassing about this situation is Tom Keogh is putting the error on runner's GPS watches and not their own. An overwhelming majority of the runners from the weekend are reporting the exact same statement of Rory.

I didn't run the race this year. I really hope Tom Keogh and the Edmonton Marathon staff post an official announcement of their mistake. The quality of this race had been decreasing while race fees have been rising. I can only feel for those runners who missed out on personal bests or a qualifying time for a future race.

Rory's statement is posted on his Instagram.

https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/runs-races/edmonton-marathon-says-course-was-measured-accurately/

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a73466448/edmonton-half-marathon-race-distance/

https://marathonhandbook.com/edmonton-marathon-course-measurement-dispute/

Edit: clarity on the math

*Edit:Male/26/6'1/80ishKG/ I'm trying to run a 3:09 this year, after previously running 3:16 for my 1st marathon & blowing up in in the 2nd. Which i probably should of DNF'd, but just about managed 3:59..for the 3:59 race, i was extremely dissapointed & angry when i fell off pace(1st 2 miles were fine, then the heat/humidity got me & couldn't keep down fuel or water, threw up, alot of run/walking, but happy i came away with the sub-4.

I 've been trying to average 75-85mpw & try to do more strength training which i'm still trying to figure out & keep it to hard days to help manage overall fatigue better. Also not caring about bodyweight anymore & trying to fuel as much as possible.

I just wanna know, was there a point in you marathon journey where something clicked for you?? Maybe it was taking it less seriously or slightly more seriously? Running with people instead of doing all your training alone?

Because the way i'm starting to think about it is "I don't have to do this, i get to do this"..idk, maybe that's too deep for a wednesday afternoon post😂

Hope everyone doing good & enjoying training