Record-breaking Calgary Marathon Attracts Thousands of Runners

Thousands of runners put on their running shoes to participate in the highly-anticipated Calgary Marathon, with the support of enthusiastic spectators and the sound of cowbells echoing through the route.

This year’s event, organized by the Calgary Marathon executive director, Kirsten Fleming, saw the highest attendance in a decade, with all 13,600 spots selling out.

Participants in the marathon braved the elements, starting under clear skies but later contending with rain and chilly winds that added an extra challenge to the race.

John Danforth, a first-time marathon participant, shared his emotional journey of hitting a wall at kilometre 39, mustering the strength to finish strong, fueled by the energy of the crowd.

Marathons, according to Fleming, have evolved from simple races to grand celebrations and community gatherings since their inception in 1963.

Around 35% of this year’s participants were first-time racers, adding to the excitement and sense of accomplishment.

Winning the women’s marathon title was Calgarian Emily James, completing the race in an impressive time of 2:49:16, while Vernon’s Jordan Clay took the men’s title with a time of 2:36:00.

The event also served as a fundraising platform for 109 local charities, garnering an impressive total of $743,073 in donations for various causes.

This year’s marathon witnessed several Guinness World Record attempts, with one record successfully broken in a chilling ice bath challenge,

Another unofficial record was set during the race for the fastest half-marathon run by a linked team, adding to the overall excitement and achievements of the day.