No accidental shortcuts this year: Ottawa Marathon organizers
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 | 5:25 PM ET
CBC News
Organizers of this weekend's Ottawa Marathon say they have made changes to keep runners on the right track since an accidental shortcut marred last year's race.
In 2006, more than a dozen elite runners missed a turn and unintentionally shaved 400-metres off the course. That left many without official results, forcing organizers to financially compensate some.
This year, volunteers and crew have been briefed to ensure the problem won't recur, race director John Halvorsen said.
"We've reviewed all corners where you in theory could go straight, and sort of went through: 'This is the list of what I would call higher-risk corners; please make sure we have some additional barricades, markings, you know, use of yellow tape or whatever methodology," Halvorsen told reporters Tuesday.
Organizers have changed the course, he added, removing some problem corners altogether.
The marathon will take place on Sunday, May 27, as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend.
Organizers expect Saturday's 5K and 10K races and Sunday's marathon and half-marathon to draw about 100,000 spectators and 30,000 competitors, including many of the elite runners who competed in last year's marathon.
Mayor to run 5K
They will also include less-than-elite runners, including Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien.
"I'm only going to do the 5K, so it's pretty straightforward," O'Brien told reporters on Tuesday. "I'm not going to leave it too late. I'm starting my training today."
Money from the event will go toward the Ottawa Hospital Foundation to purchase equipment for the hospital's intensive care unit, foundation spokesman Carl Martin said.
Last year's marathon mishap took place when high school students volunteering at the race left a barricade unattended in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood, about nine kilometres into the route.
A motorist moved the barricade, and 14 elite runners missed a turn, shaving about 400 metres off the course. They emerged ahead of some other runners at Sussex Drive.
