Advertisement

Edmonton Marathon goes ahead after cancellation concerns over B.C. wildfire smoke

The 2018 Edmonton Marathon was a success after concerns that smoke from the B.C. wildfires could cancel the event, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Servus Edmonton Marathon, Credit

After concerns that smoke from the British Columbia wildfires could force the cancellation of the 2018 Edmonton Marathon, the event took place Sunday under ideal conditions.

“We had an index [Air Quality Health Index] reading of three, temperatures of 10 C, clear skies, light breeze blowing. You couldn’t write a better script for better race conditions,” Running Room founder John Stanton said.

READ MORE: Edmonton man running in 100th marathon says pea soup is his secret

Stanton said a decision was made at 5 p.m. Saturday to move forward with the event.

Story continues below advertisement

“We had been monitoring all day long. At 10 a.m., we issued a statement that we were considering a go,” Stanton said.

“We delayed the children’s run. The children’s run was supposed to go yesterday [Saturday], but due to air quality conditions we moved it to today.”

LISTEN BELOW: 630 CHED’s Reid Wilkins talks about completing his 10th half marathon

A total of 5,000 people participated in all the events this weekend. Stanton said there was a record number of people participating in the full marathon.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“The marathon numbers are way way up — record numbers in the marathon — and the army 10K is way up, and a lot of that is attributable to fact that the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, which is steeped in tradition here in Edmonton, is involved.”

Story continues below advertisement

https://twitter.com/TheLoyalEddies/status/1031214569279041537

WATCH: Edmontonians brave smoke to attend Fringe Festival, marathon

Soldiers held the banner for the winners as they crossed the finish line and presented medals to participants.

Lucas McAneney and Leanne Klassen were the full marathon winners on the men’s and women’s sides, respectively. McAneney is now a repeat winner of the race.

“I won the marathon in 2013, so five years ago. I won’t wait another five years to do the Edmonton marathon again,” McAneney said.

“The other runners on the course were great. The marathoners — we ran past all the half-marathoners from the start — they were so supportive, they all made space for me to go through so the city of Edmonton was wonderful today and I’m very grateful for that.”

Story continues below advertisement

Sunday also featured a marathon walk, a 21.1-kilometre half-marathon, an army 10-kilometre walk or run, a five-kilometre walk or run and a kids’ event.

Sponsored content

AdChoices