Race Information - Course Information & Maps

Race Reviews - from those who have lived it!
"Your team does an excellent job of putting a race. The route, the t-shirt and the food - it just doesn't get any better! See you next year."
J.P., Edmonton, AB

*****New Course Direction for 2010****

We are excited to announce that the course will be run in reverse this year! Half-marathoners will have an opportunity to view the second half of the course. Marathoners will have plenty of room to go for that Boston Qualifier.

Course Markers - Course Closing - Gel Stations - Course Restrictions - Full Course Information and Map - Half Course Information and Map

Course Markers / Course Closing

Course markers are at every kilometer, split times are called at the first mile and at the half way point of the marathon. The course will close 2:00 pm. Runners expecting to run at a slower pace should carry a course map and be self-sufficient and familiar with the route as volunteer support will be limited after this time. Timing and a skeleton finish crew will remain until the last marathoner is safely across the line. Water and a sports drinks are stationed about every three kms. Toilets will also be available along the race route.

Gel Stations

GU Energy Gel will be available at the 15km, 23km, 30km, 34km and the 38km mark. GU20 Energy Drink will be the supplied sport drink.

Course Restrictions

For safety and liability reasons, the course is limited to registered runners only. Strollers, bicycles, inline skates, headsets and dogs (except certified seeing eye/hearing dogs) are prohibited. Pacing is not allowed. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.

Full Marathon Course

8:00 AM Start This year brings new changes to the marathon course. A reverse of the roughly figure eight course of previous years. The start (and finish) remains the same on the downhill slope of 55 th street, just east of 42 Avenue (see Finish Line).  It stays on the road for 2.4 km and then enters the picturesque paved park trail system at Mackenzie Trails.  At 4.5 kms the course turns up and over the 67th street bridge and crosses to the west side of the river and heads north to the River Bend golf course and recreation area where runners will enjoy a gravel trail through dense woods. The course turns back towards 67th street crossing over to Mackenzie Trails again at 19 km. A wooded trail through Mackenzie starts the second loop of the course prior to crossing the old Railway Bridge and traveling along the west bank to Taylor Bridge. Once again we cross the river here and head SW to Heritage Ranch and back through Bower Ponds. The return home is back to the 67th street Bridge, and then after climbing partway up the short steep  hill at Michener Hill, the course races down 55th street (see Start) and turns right on 42 A Avenue to the Finish Line!!

Full Course Map

Half Marathon Course

8:00 AM Start.The course is the same as the full marathon for approximately 19 kms. Near the start there is a short loop through Mackenzie Trails and then the big NE loop to River Bend Golf Course. It is a flat and fast course staying close to the scenic meandering Red Deer river. At 19.5 kms the course passes KerryWood Nature centre and runs behind the Lindsay Thurber High School, with a short steep grunt part way up Michener Hill, then back onto 55th street (see Start) and downhill turning right on 42 A Avenue to the Finish Line!!

Half Course Map