Calgary Marathon 2012 - new course

[Lazagna]

I have already set my goal for next year in the half.

They just announced yesterday that they are changing the course.. to be announced in January.. should be interesting to run something different than the past three years.

[Hammie]

I have already set my goal for next year in the half.

They just announced yesterday that they are changing the course.. to be announced in January.. should be interesting to run something different than the past three years.

I noticed that - I wonder why? Were people already tired of the last new course, or were there problems with it? I know they had to change the full course last year after the U of C decided not to allow any non-university events to take place there.

[ian]

I don't think the big hill was popular in this era of "fast and flat" races. Furthermore, after the initial spike in registrations for the 2009 debut, Calgary's numbers have regressed back into mediocrity. (IMO, part of this is that Calgary has always been inferior to races like Red Deer and Saskatoon from an organizational standpoint.) The temporary solution: change the course. I'll pass.

[turd ferguson]

I don't think the big hill was popular in this era of "fast and flat" races. Furthermore, after the initial spike in registrations for the 2009 debut, Calgary's numbers have regressed back into mediocrity. (IMO, part of this is that Calgary has always been inferior to races like Red Deer and Saskatoon from an organizational standpoint.) The temporary solution: change the course. I'll pass.

This.

Plus I don't think the start/finish location was particularly popular either with racers (zero parking) or residents.

[Lazagna]

I don't think the big hill was popular in this era of "fast and flat" races. Furthermore, after the initial spike in registrations for the 2009 debut, Calgary's numbers have regressed back into mediocrity. (IMO, part of this is that Calgary has always been inferior to races like Red Deer and Saskatoon from an organizational standpoint.) The temporary solution: change the course. I'll pass.

I didn't realize it was bad in Calgary. I have never had a problem with package pickup, always start mid to back of the pack, so haven't noticed.

perhaps I'll have to do Red Deer just to see the difference and see what good stuff I'm missing..lol

[VDoT]

Package pickup was totally messed up last year, but that was the only time it was that bad. I would guess it has more to do with the big hill and the start finish location. I heard lots of complaints about both those.
I am considering the Calgary full for 2012 so I will watch for the news release with great interest!

[MichaelMc]

I'll be interested in the new course. I've never run the Calgary Marathon, and the most recent course wasn't too much of a draw. Not only the hills, which seemed unneccessary, but I heard many complaints about the steeply cambered road edges as well.

As my new home marathon I'm interested, but we'll see if I can get sufficient training in to be anything but self abuse. Might try pacing a group if I can get some miles in.

[turd ferguson]

This just occurred to me - when Strides took over the race a few years back they were the ones that moved it to Bridgeland, but Strides dropped out late last year and RR took it back - I'll wager that has something to do with it.

[rungirlrun]

In the Jan/Feb Impact magazine, they detail the new route, no map or link available yet.

SW from Stampede Park towards Glenmore Athletic Park, around MRU to its western limit at 45st. Then SW on 26th Ave across the Bow at 14th st, down Memorial, thru Bridgland, the Zoo and Inglewood finishing at Stampede.

[turd ferguson]

In the Jan/Feb Impact magazine, they detail the new route, no map or link available yet.

SW from Stampede Park towards Glenmore Athletic Park, around MRU to its western limit at 45st. Then SW on 26th Ave across the Bow at 14th st, down Memorial, thru Bridgland, the Zoo and Inglewood finishing at Stampede.

I saw that - interesting.

Two thoughts:

1. The western limit of MRU is Sarcee Road, not 45 Street. Which only matters because there's a pretty good uphill from MRU to 45 Street along 46 Avenue.

2. There's a big downhill between the top of Knob Hill (26 Ave at 20 Street) and where 14 Street crosses 17 Ave - I used to bike up and down it every day. So there's going to be a corresponding climb somewhere, but I can't picture where. Maybe up Elbow Drive, or maybe up 14 Street towards the dog park?

The "reveal" is Wednesday. I think I can wait that long.

[MichaelMc]

In the Jan/Feb Impact magazine, they detail the new route, no map or link available yet.

SW from Stampede Park towards Glenmore Athletic Park, around MRU to its western limit at 45st. Then SW on 26th Ave across the Bow at 14th st, down Memorial, thru Bridgland, the Zoo and Inglewood finishing at Stampede.

I saw that - interesting.

Two thoughts:

1. The western limit of MRU is Sarcee Road, not 45 Street. Which only matters because there's a pretty good uphill from MRU to 45 Street along 46 Avenue.

2. There's a big downhill between the top of Knob Hill (26 Ave at 20 Street) and where 14 Street crosses 17 Ave - I used to bike up and down it every day. So there's going to be a corresponding climb somewhere, but I can't picture where. Maybe up Elbow Drive, or maybe up 14 Street towards the dog park?

The "reveal" is Wednesday. I think I can wait that long.

Funny! I move to Calgary and they move the course so it goes right by my house... I think. We'll soon see.

Not going to race it this year, but I might consider pacing it.

Michael

[Lazagna]

I am more interested in the half and where it's going since I am already signed up. I am going to go to the reveal tonight just so I can enter the contest.

[MichaelMc]

New course: http://www.calgarymarathon.com/race_inf ... athon.html

The Full is much more flat than it was, the Half is REALLY flat.

The Full passes within two blocks of my house TWICE. That would be good for watching, might be bad if I was racing and having a bad day!

[Lazagna]

I noticed that the Half is almost exactly the same as last year, only run backwards, and a few side trips that take it off course a little. I think I will like the change as it will be familiar but different.

[Lazagna]

I noticed that the Half is almost exactly the same as last year, only run backwards, and a few side trips that take it off course a little. I think I will like the change as it will be familiar but different.

Oh, and NO GEL STATIONS on the Half at all.....I usually relied on their course for that, guess I will have to figure out how to carry my own this time.