Colfax Marathon race director Creigh Kelley confirmed Tuesday the course for Sunday’s half marathon was 0.1 of a mile short, confirming suspicions raised by some runners after the race.
Kelley initially disputed those complaints Sunday but conceded the mistake after remeasuring the course.
Kelley said complications caused by the closure of the company supplying traffic barricades was partly to blame.
“Due to the last-minute , the Colfax Marathon placed the safety of 39 miles of course on city roadways as a first priority, resulting in a 176-yard inconsistency in the half-marathon course in City Park,” Kelley said.
“Race staff apologize for the oversight, and commend the four new barricade companies, three municipalities, law enforcement and volunteers on ensuring that the race took place safely.”
After the race on Sunday, to The Denver Post:
“This is a non-issue and is clearly meant to harm an otherwise important civic and community event.”
In response to the runners critical of the length, Kelly said Sunday:
“If (the questioning runners) had been courteous enough to inquire about this while on site, it would have been a conversation with immediate review on the ground of course settings to satisfy (their) curiosity.”
