Event Information
Rules & Regulations
The following is a list of the most important rules and regulations surrounding the Servus Calgary Marathon events.
Please check out the race FAQ for more questions and answers.
Whistleblower Policy
Run Calgary and the Calgary Marathon Society are committed to open, accountable, ethical and transparent governance which encourages a culture of integrity and social responsibility. An important aspect of accountability and transparency is a mechanism to enable all individuals to voice concerns in a responsible and effective manner should they discover information which they believe shows serious malpractice. In order to meet current standards, the Run Calgary Board of Directors has developed this Whistleblower Policy.
This policy is intended to provide an environment in which individuals interacting with Run Calgary and the Calgary Marathon Society, including but not limited to employees, volunteers, participants and contractors, are encouraged to raise serious concerns without risk of discrimination or adverse employment actions. Run Calgary ensures confidentiality and anonymity for the person reporting a concern, unless it is incompatible with a fair investigation or required by law.
It is the responsibility of every individual who is aware of or suspects a violation of the Run Calgary’s codes of conduct or matters of concern/wrongdoing to report the incident as soon as possible using the reporting standards in this Whistleblower Policy
Online Whistleblower Form
Registration Policies
All registration fees are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and cannot be transferred between races.
- Entry fees are non-refundable under all circumstances. That means that once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund for any reason and you will not be able to defer your entry to another year. The Calgary Marathon is organized by Run Calgary, a non-profit organization, and this event has been a tradition for 59 years. Remaining viable during a pandemic proved to be challenging for many organizations and the endurance industry is no exception. Race organizations were adversely affected because of government restrictions on gatherings. In 2020, we allowed participants to defer to a future year. However going forward, participants will automatically be moved to the virtual event for any event that is cancelled for any reason.
- It is your responsibility to pick up your bib and race kit in advance of the event. Package Pick-Up hours and locations will be published well in advance of race day. There is no package pick up on race morning.
- If you register for virtual and want to transfer to the in-person race, or you wish to transfer distances, you can do so by accessing your Race Roster dashboard. If there is capacity in that event, you will be able to transfer for a $10 transfer fee, plus the difference between the virtual price and the cost of the in-person registration.
2023 In-Person Race Info
When you register, you will have the option to purchase an insurance policy from Reg Shield for a small fee. This policy will cover you and allow you to cancel your registration if you are unable to make it to the race due to illness and various other reasons. Like all insurance policies there are exclusions so please read the fine print. The insurance does not cover your entry fee if we are forced to cancel the event.
In the case of in-person race cancellation, all 2023 in-person participants registered in the Servus Calgary Marathon Race Weekend, 50 km Ultra, Servus 42.2 km, Centaur Subaru 21.1 km, Asics Runkeeper 10 km, GoodLife Fitness 5 km, and Kids Race will automatically be transferred to the virtual event.
Age Restrictions
- GoodLife 5 km: There is no minimum age to participate in the 5 km race. Children 6 and over must be registered to participate. Children under 6 are not required to be register, however children under 6 who are not registered will not receive a shirt, medal or any amenities at the finish line.
- ASICS Runkeeper 10 km: You must be 10 years of age or older on race day to be eligible to participate.
- Centaur Subaru 21.1K: You must be 14 years of age or older on race day to be eligible to participate.
- Servus Calgary Marathon: You must be 16 years of age or older on race day to be eligible to participate.
- 50K Ultra Marathon: You must be 16 years of age or older on race day to be eligible to participate.
Parents/guardians are urged to ensure that young runners have the training and pace judgment needed to complete the event comfortably and safely. Calgary Marathon Directors and staff reserve the right to require proof of age.
Any children under the age minimums for the 10KM or 21.1KM are only permitted if pushed in a stroller. Please note that children under the age minimums will not receive a shirt, medal or any amenities at the finish line.
Children interested in receiving a medal and shirt can sign up for the 1.2KM Kids Race which is open to those ages 2-12.
Please contact the office at info@calgarymarathon.com if you are underage and have permission from your parents/guardians to participate.
Course Safety / Road Closure
The Servus Calgary Marathon is a foot race. For safety and liability reasons courses are limited to registered runners only. Inline skates, bicycles, skateboards, and running with dogs is strictly prohibited. Non-compliance with these safety rules will result in disqualification. Traffic will be controlled by the police and course marshals, but runners should take extreme caution at all times.
Course Closure, Walk or Run
Walkers are invited to participate in all events with precautions for the marathon distance. Marathon walkers are asked to start at 7:00 am with marathon runners. Please seed yourself accordingly.
The course will be open for 6 1/2 hours where all walkers must be finished thereafter. After 1:30pm, some roads will have to be re-opened and walkers will be moved up to the sidewalks.
Headphones and Music Players
The race directors discourage the use of these devices for the runner's safety and the safety of those around them. There is no risk of disqualification for simple use, however, if a runner puts themselves or other runners at risk through an unsafe act that the Board of Directors determine was caused directly or indirectly through the use of a prohibited item, the race directors reserve the right to disqualify the runner.
Handcycles Rules and Regulations
Please note: The Calgary Marathon is not a bike course and safety of all participants is paramount. With rolling road closures and tight corners, handcyclists will only be permitted to participate recreationally in the 5 km and 10 km distances.
Athletes using a push rim wheelchair will be allowed to race competitively in all distances. Racing wheelchair results have their own category. Absolutely no handcycles will be allowed in the race (competitive) category for any distance.
Participation is at sole discretion of the Calgary Marathon and omission of any steps will result in disqualification and removal of bib.
If you are participating in any event using a mobility device of any kind:
- Register as a participant who will be using a wheelchair (it’s a mandatory question when you register) by May 1st at calgarymarathon.com
- You will be contacted by CMS staff to confirm your mobility device, place you in a wave that is safe for you and other participants, and to review rules for participation no later then May 15th.
- When you pick up your package, your bib will have a special sticker on it
- Be at the start line 30 mins before your race distance starts to check all equipment and listen to any last minute instructions. Please note: anyone missing briefing will not be allowed to start the race.
- Participants in racing wheelchairs will have a 1 min silent start before the runners.
- All recreational handcycles will start in the last corral.
Some things to remember:
- Anyone trying to enter chutes using a handcycle without the appropriate approvals will be removed from the course.
- Participants are not allowed to pass any emergency vehicle doing so will result in an immediate disqualification and no longer allowed to participate in future events
- Participants will stay as safely to the far right of the road as possible to allow others to pass
- Participants will obey and listen to all directions given on course by lead bikes
- Roads are closed on a rolling time schedule as such all intersections must be approached with caution and you may be required to stop
Definitions:
- Wheelchair – Traditional push rim wheelchair with 2 wheels identical in size (rear) and two smaller wheels (front casters)
- Racing Wheelchair – Has two large wheels (rear) and one small wheel (front).
- Handcycles – A three-wheeled cycle propelled by the arms rather than the legs
Strollers
Strollers are only permitted on the 5KM, 10KM and 21.1KM routes and MUST start in the last corral (purple) at the start line. Strollers are prohibited on all other courses.
Any children under the age minimums for the 10KM or 21.1KM are only permitted if pushed in a stroller. Please note that children under the age minimums will not receive a shirt, medal or any amenities at the finish line.
Course Availability
All race courses are limited to registered event participants only.