The Edmonton Marathon organisers have acknowledged that the 2026 race course was mistakenly measured at 674.7 metres longer than the official marathon distance. The error, attributed to construction around the Wellington Bridge, forced a detour that extended the route beyond the standard 26.2 miles. Several runners expressed frustration online after noticing their GPS devices recorded distances exceeding 26.22 miles.

Initially dismissing the concerns, organisers later confirmed the discrepancy in a formal statement. Race director Tom Keogh apologised, stating, “We do not take this lightly” and acknowledged that the finishing times did not accurately reflect the athletes’ performances. The mistake may have impacted runners’ chances of qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon, as qualifying times rely on official chip times rather than personal watch readings.

Organisers are now collaborating with Athletics Canada and other partners to determine how this year’s results will be recognised. BBC Sport has reached out to the Edmonton Marathon for further comment.