The times of more than 300 competitors were deleted at the half-marathon and marathon organized in Norway due to a route that was almost a kilometer too short.
On the penultimate weekend of June, the Knarvikmila marathon competition was organized in Norway, the length of the route was about 800 meters too short due to a planning error by the organizer. (The marathon length should be 42,195 meters, the half marathon 21.0975 meters).
A new track measurement showed that the track was 110 meters shorter per lap than it should have been. Half marathon participants therefore lacked 440 meters and marathon participants 880 meters.
Many of the participants already got to celebrate personal records, but they were eventually taken away from the competitors when it became clear that the route run was too short. So the times were not official.
Those who took part in the races received a message on Tuesday, which informed them that the route was too short, which is why the times run will be deleted.
Winner of the competition Lina Riverdale ran the marathon for 2 hours and 44 minutes before the time was taken from him.
– I was a little surprised.
About the race order apologized mistake and told that sending the message to the competitors was a bit shameful.
– It’s simply a matter of human error, Knarvikmila’s CEO Ronny Borgen Hansen told.
– When we make a mistake, we have to accept it and take responsibility, Borgen Hansen continued.
The organizer himself noticed the mistake. Borgen Hansen said that the route was repaired several times in the past years and that the last section of the route was measured in April 2023.
The Knarvikmila marathon competition was organized in June already for the 42nd time.