2014 Calgary Marathon Turns 50

[Hammie]

Some of the race photos are already up! All of the ones from the homestretch and the finish line are available, but none of the ones from earlier on the course are there yet. I look like someone who just ran 50k in mine , but at least I look pretty happy about it!

[Stampie]

Congrats to everyone racing yesterday and a very fine effort by all. Well done!

[turd ferguson]

Some of the race photos are already up! All of the ones from the homestretch and the finish line are available, but none of the ones from earlier on the course are there yet. I look like someone who just ran 50k in mine , but at least I look pretty happy about it!

[turd ferguson]

And then there's this one, which I'm entitling "while I am happy to see you, its a package of Clif Shots"

[ultraslacker]

hahahahaha

[Hammie]

That's hilarious!

I like the picture of the two of us - my number is visible, so I wonder why it didn't show up on mine?

[Spirit Unleashed]

Mine have an ugly man in them who is nearer than me.

[Habs4ever]

I was looking half decent in this




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ultraslacker]

That's a great one with the tower in the background.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spirit Unleashed]

cut the ugly man out

[turd ferguson]

Some of the race photos are already up! All of the ones from the homestretch and the finish line are available, but none of the ones from earlier on the course are there yet. I look like someone who just ran 50k in mine , but at least I look pretty happy about it!

I showed this picture to my kids and they're all worried about the woman at the far right and why she's crying

[deerdree]

lots of great pictures - you all make it look easy!

[Spirit Unleashed]

[Mark.AU]

Looks like a great time had by all - love the pictures, especially the one right above this post

[purdy65]

Great pic! You are awesome ladies!

[La]

Love the photos, everyone!

[HCcD]

Any further indications if they plan to keep the 50k for next year, on the agenda???

[turd ferguson]

according to the CBC this morning, they're looking at making the 50k more permanent because of the incredible positive reaction.

I saw that. Three points that come to mind:
(1) This year's field of 500 for the 50K actually exceeds that of any other non-Calgary marathon for the last several years.
(2) I see that the pre-race favorite (Adam Campbell) plans to run this thing in a superhero costume as part of a charity fundraiser. That could make for some good media coverage.
(3) I figure that a majority of the entrants in the 50K are doing the distance for the first time and aren't about to make it an annual tradition.

[Dstew]

Any further indications if they plan to keep the 50k for next year, on the agenda???

I was at the 1:00 "mandatory" briefing and a quick tangent, the race director suggested she was surprised by how many turned out for the "mandatory" briefing and that they would all come just before 1:00 to also pick up their bibs and so many people were still in line when she started. They then held a second one shortly after.

I was my impression that they were not sure 250 would sign up or the original field size. They expanded it to 500 and again, they had originally thought a unique idea but still a one time only. However, since it sold out so quickly and there seems to be this untapped demand for people to separate themselves for the common marathoners, I suspect that another 50 K race will be held next year. I saw a lot of grey hair and marathon jackets and shirts, especially Boston and so a road 50 K marathon is something unique and a new bucket list thing to do. And what other marathon offers that option? The beer garden was full and long line ups and so Wildrose brewery or another such company get talked into sponsoring that event. Facebook, twitter, etc all provided some good pr.

The start was crowded and I had thought there was only 2,500 half marathoners and normally there would only be around 800 marathoners but this year, over 4,200 and 1,600 respectively so what is another 500 compared to that. The first couple of kilometers was a little crowded but by the time the ultra and full broke off at 9 K, I found a good pace and I was near the back. Two porta potties per aid station is not going to cut it and there was one aid station early with none but there were bushes.

The route followed the marathon route and so a few more traffic cones, a few more signs and a few more volunteers would add almost no extra effort or cost to run the event. The 50 K had two different turn around points from marathon and next year it sounds like if they ran it again, there would just be the one. They added an extra water only and smaller aid station but it was probably required in any event.

Add in the start time of the 5 K race and the number of people who walked that plus the very strict deadline to reach 36.6 K that meant one had to have an average pace of 7:22 per kilometer to make and yet to run 50 K in 6.5 hours that pace is 7:48 per kilometer, there would have been no extended or extra closures.

If they can get a sponsor I believe the only question will be how many 50 K runners can they accommodate and not if there will be a race. Calgary will be hosting the half marathon championships 2015 - 2018 and so a 50 K race may just add an extra element and exposure. About three years ago there were 8,000 runners and this year over 15,000 and they are very proud of the fact this race in the fastest growing major events in Canada and so if one can get another 500 runners with no real extra hassle, I would bet the farm on that race happening next year.

[Hammie]

I'm actually pleased with my race photos - I usually hate them!

Me in the home stretch with both feet off the ground!


And looking ridiculously pleased to be finished

[Dstew]

I'm actually pleased with my race photos - I usually hate them!

Me in the home stretch with both feet off the ground!


And looking ridiculously pleased to be finished

Good race and good photo. I have a nice smile but I cannot crop out the lady in the background that has the most sour face I have ever seen.

[bunsontherun]

Any further indications if they plan to keep the 50k for next year, on the agenda???

I was at the 1:00 "mandatory" briefing and a quick tangent, the race director suggested she was surprised by how many turned out for the "mandatory" briefing and that they would all come just before 1:00 to also pick up their bibs and so many people were still in line when she started. They then held a second one shortly after.

I was my impression that they were not sure 250 would sign up or the original field size. They expanded it to 500 and again, they had originally thought a unique idea but still a one time only. However, since it sold out so quickly and there seems to be this untapped demand for people to separate themselves for the common marathoners, I suspect that another 50 K race will be held next year. I saw a lot of grey hair and marathon jackets and shirts, especially Boston and so a road 50 K marathon is something unique and a new bucket list thing to do. And what other marathon offers that option? The beer garden was full and long line ups and so Wildrose brewery or another such company get talked into sponsoring that event. Facebook, twitter, etc all provided some good pr.

The start was crowded and I had thought there was only 2,500 half marathoners and normally there would only be around 800 marathoners but this year, over 4,200 and 1,600 respectively so what is another 500 compared to that. The first couple of kilometers was a little crowded but by the time the ultra and full broke off at 9 K, I found a good pace and I was near the back. Two porta potties per aid station is not going to cut it and there was one aid station early with none but there were bushes.

The route followed the marathon route and so a few more traffic cones, a few more signs and a few more volunteers would add almost no extra effort or cost to run the event. The 50 K had two different turn around points from marathon and next year it sounds like if they ran it again, there would just be the one. They added an extra water only and smaller aid station but it was probably required in any event.

Add in the start time of the 5 K race and the number of people who walked that plus the very strict deadline to reach 36.6 K that meant one had to have an average pace of 7:22 per kilometer to make and yet to run 50 K in 6.5 hours that pace is 7:48 per kilometer, there would have been no extended or extra closures.

If they can get a sponsor I believe the only question will be how many 50 K runners can they accommodate and not if there will be a race. Calgary will be hosting the half marathon championships 2015 - 2018 and so a 50 K race may just add an extra element and exposure. About three years ago there were 8,000 runners and this year over 15,000 and they are very proud of the fact this race in the fastest growing major events in Canada and so if one can get another 500 runners with no real extra hassle, I would bet the farm on that race happening next year.

I think they need to tweek the start times a bit though. The start was very crowded and there were several pinch and narrow points on the course where the Ultra, Marathoners and Halfathoners were just too close together. Hard to get a nice stride going when there is a constant watch to make sure you don't step on someone's heel or trying to avoid elbows. I would recommend that the Ultra's and Marathoner's start at 0700 and the Halfathon's at 0730.

[ultraslacker]

great photos, Hammie!!

[Dstew]

Any further indications if they plan to keep the 50k for next year, on the agenda???

I was at the 1:00 "mandatory" briefing and a quick tangent, the race director suggested she was surprised by how many turned out for the "mandatory" briefing and that they would all come just before 1:00 to also pick up their bibs and so many people were still in line when she started. They then held a second one shortly after.

I was my impression that they were not sure 250 would sign up or the original field size. They expanded it to 500 and again, they had originally thought a unique idea but still a one time only. However, since it sold out so quickly and there seems to be this untapped demand for people to separate themselves for the common marathoners, I suspect that another 50 K race will be held next year. I saw a lot of grey hair and marathon jackets and shirts, especially Boston and so a road 50 K marathon is something unique and a new bucket list thing to do. And what other marathon offers that option? The beer garden was full and long line ups and so Wildrose brewery or another such company get talked into sponsoring that event. Facebook, twitter, etc all provided some good pr.

The start was crowded and I had thought there was only 2,500 half marathoners and normally there would only be around 800 marathoners but this year, over 4,200 and 1,600 respectively so what is another 500 compared to that. The first couple of kilometers was a little crowded but by the time the ultra and full broke off at 9 K, I found a good pace and I was near the back. Two porta potties per aid station is not going to cut it and there was one aid station early with none but there were bushes.

The route followed the marathon route and so a few more traffic cones, a few more signs and a few more volunteers would add almost no extra effort or cost to run the event. The 50 K had two different turn around points from marathon and next year it sounds like if they ran it again, there would just be the one. They added an extra water only and smaller aid station but it was probably required in any event.

Add in the start time of the 5 K race and the number of people who walked that plus the very strict deadline to reach 36.6 K that meant one had to have an average pace of 7:22 per kilometer to make and yet to run 50 K in 6.5 hours that pace is 7:48 per kilometer, there would have been no extended or extra closures.

If they can get a sponsor I believe the only question will be how many 50 K runners can they accommodate and not if there will be a race. Calgary will be hosting the half marathon championships 2015 - 2018 and so a 50 K race may just add an extra element and exposure. About three years ago there were 8,000 runners and this year over 15,000 and they are very proud of the fact this race in the fastest growing major events in Canada and so if one can get another 500 runners with no real extra hassle, I would bet the farm on that race happening next year.

I think they need to tweek the start times a bit though. The start was very crowded and there were several pinch and narrow points on the course where the Ultra, Marathoners and Halfathoners were just too close together. Hard to get a nice stride going when there is a constant watch to make sure you don't step on someone's heel or trying to avoid elbows. I would recommend that the Ultra's and Marathoner's start at 0700 and the Halfathon's at 0730.

For the 50 K race I was not bothered by the crowds as it made sure I could not go out too fast but I was also thinking that if I wanted to run get into an early groove what a pain that could be. It was a struggle just to find the pace bunny and I never find the one I wanted to run with. The first bridge over the bow and by the Zoo was pinched and when I crossed, it was actually rocking but I agree there were other places.

Move the half to 7:30 now that there are almost 4,500 of them and the 10 K to 8:00. One reason they may do that is that for the next couple of years, Calgary is the 21.1 K championship and therefore I am going to guess that will be run on Saturday and thus any really fast half worried about running into the back of the marathon can run in the Championship. And I think the marathon will spread out rather quickly and thus the very fast half marathoners should not be slowed down.

If memory serves, they had separate start times back in 06?

The other issue, two porta potties for that many runners is not going to cut it.

[turd ferguson]

The other issue, two porta potties for that many runners is not going to cut it.

I only peed once during the race, behind a fence on 5th Street with about 11 other runners. There was a construction portapotty just before the hill (30th ave) that got a lot of use as well. But seriously, there wasn't a single portapotty I passed that wasn't lined up.