The Manitoba Marathon was called off around 8:15 this morning due to humidity and climbing temperatures, according to organizers.
Runners were told at checkpoints to turn around and head back to IG Field where the race began shortly before 7 a.m. this morning.
An official statement from the Manitoba Marathon said, “A collective decision was made in consultation with the Manitoba Marathon medical team and our executive director to ensure the safety of our runners and volunteers.”
Two people were transported to hospital due to heat exhaustion, according to the City of Winnipeg, one in unstable condition. The city says the decision to cancel the event was the reason for the low number of hospitalizations.
Some were notified half way through the race.
“We intended to run the full…and we actually turned around at mile seven when they shut the course down,” said participant Tracey Machan.
Others said they didn’t know it had been cancelled until they came through the finish line.
Some took busses back, while others chose to finish the race anyway, including Michael Zahara, the first full marathon runner to cross the finish line today.
“I walked through every water station,” said Zahara. “I mean at a certain point, it just becomes survival mode.”
This is the first marathon back at IG Field since the pandemic began.