Comments on: Update: Okanagan marathon times will be adjusted after course mishap

By: Nicholas Swart

Nicholas Swart — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:46:05 +0000

Hans, as noted in my earlier post I was watching the marathon with my son at the Swamp Road turning circle, and the organizers were still marking the course just a few minutes before the first runners came past. To make matters worse it was quite clear those marking the route were not even sure what path the runners were supposed to take through the turning circle. This is an astonishing state of affairs for a serious event like a marathon, which requires such extensive training by the participants.

For the race director to claim that all these problems are the fault of the participants is scandalous. For him to then make claims about “record participants”, in what looks for all the world like an attempt to diminish the seriousness of the problems, only makes one question whether anything will ever change.

I ran the half marathon in this course a few years ago, nothing fast, was keeping a friend company, and it was surprisingly disorganized then too, although not as bad as this year. I recall at one point a fair bit of shouting going on by the runners who were frustrated with directions and course layout.

I have written to the Boston Athletic Association with my observations, as I don’t think it is right that the race as currently managed can bill itself as being a “qualifying course” for Boston (a great marathon indeed which I am proud to say I have run).

Others should write to them too: info@baa.org

Nothing will improve unless runners say enough is enough. Maybe the best thing that could happen would be for this marathon to go bust and for a different group of individuals to start a new marathon race for Kelowna and the Okanagan. Sometimes the only way to fix a problem that has deep roots is to start with a clean slate.

By: Hans

Hans — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:00:43 +0000

I was the full marathon race leader, I was misdirected at the corner of Lakeshore and Lexington. I ended running about 4km past until I convinced myself that I was way off course, I ran 4km back to the corner, and had a very heated argument with those who misdirected me, as you could imagine I was furious. They told me that it was my fault eventhough I had ran past the van that was still marking the course at 14km. Did I run too fast. I trained incredibly hard for this race, and I realisticly came to win. And for this to happen cut me really deep. They even threatened to kick me off the course. Eventhough my aspirations were completely destroyed, I decided to continue the race despite my anger and frustration. I ended up running 50km when everything was said and done. And have not yet been given any apology or anything like that.

$100 sure doesnt get you much these days, I dont agree on ammending results, whats done is done. Its heartbreaking but as far as I am concerned the first to cross the finish line is the winner. Shame on you guys, this will not be forgotten

By: J.S.

J.S. — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:01:14 +0000

Notice that the female winner of the marathon is now listed in the half marathon????? She went from 1st overall in the marathon to near last in the half marathon. What a debacle.

By: Dennis Kamiya

Dennis Kamiya — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:38:19 +0000

Congratulations to all the runners of the Kelowna Marathon 2009.
After running 38km I to was not sure if I run the loop twice or not. Being a visitor you don’t remember your surroundings or location as you are running. I to ran the loop again at Watt Rd. and Ricther St., as I was running, not sure if I was going in the right direction, another runner was running back and said we are running the wrong way because he saw the 30km mark. I turn around and headed back to my disbelieve. The extra plus 2km made the run long, plus the extra 600m loop near the end because there was no marshall directing the marathoners and 1/2 marathoners. I have learned in the future on smaller marathons I will know the course better. My higher finishing time will now put me into the 2nd wave in the Boston Marathon(completed 6 Bostons)
One other comment is the metals for placing in your category is the same as the finishers metal, at least they should change the ribbon.
Thank you to all the volunteers especially at the aid stations, you did a great job!
I don’t know if I will be back again.
Dennis

By: Paula Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:07:43 +0000

results have been adjusted. seems they adjusted them whether you asked to or not…

By: Sammy Wanjiru

Sammy Wanjiru — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:55:44 +0000

Re: record numbers,

I think this use of the term record numbers is a little like media use of the term for record snowfall etc. You read a report and it says 10cm is a record snowfall and then later you read that the record is for that specific date…

So maybe 569 is a record number of marathoners for an Oct 11 in Kelowna?

Maybe the 2009 number would have been a record if only so many ‘weak-willed’ runners didn’t drop out when they realized they had ran an extra 4k ;0)

Or maybe 2009 was a record for an ULTRA in Kelowna (technically anything more than marathon distance, no?)

By: Nicholas Swart

Nicholas Swart — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:47:39 +0000

Tom Keogh says on the marathon web site: “We would like to thank you for your ongoing support in setting a *record number* of participants in 2009″

The emphasis on “record number” is mine. Here are the participant numbers for the marathon using data from the Running Room’s own web sites:

Years Runners
2009 569
2008 390
2007 596
2006 690
2005 753

So in the last 5 years, 2009 was the second worst year on record in terms of number of participants.

By: Emile Zatopek

Emile Zatopek — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:31:34 +0000

Four comments on my previous post:

1. why does the job title not say “ex” race director?

2. will the times be adjusted for just anyone who asks? How are the truly affected to be discerned from and BQ opportunists – is the honour code to be relied upon?

3. (controversial) the times have got to stand, right or wrong. Everyone who asks for a refund should be given one.

4. Good luck with record numbers next year. I mean, there’s optimism and then there’s blind denial…

By: Emile Zatopek

Emile Zatopek — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:25:45 +0000

From the RR website:

“Marathon Race Participant Update”

On behalf of our sponsors and organizing committee, we would like to apologize to any marathon athletes that may have been directed off course in the 2009 BMO Okanagan Marathon.

We are currently working with our timing company to adjust your times as per AIMS and IAAF standards for time adjustments. We will be reviewing our race procedures to ensure your and our expectations are maintained.

We would like to thank you for your ongoing support in setting a record number of participants in 2009 and look forward to more records being set in 2010.

Tom Keogh
Race Director

By: Racewalker

Racewalker — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:23:25 +0000

I noticed on the results that several runners do not have a 3rd lap time. Based on the first and second lap times shown it appears that they too might have missed a 10K loop.

I wonder how many ended up with a qualifying time for Boston that wasn’t actually earned…