Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon course unintentionally cut short – ABC15 Arizona

TEMPE — Some runners of Sunday’s half-marathon in Tempe weren’t able to set records due to a course error.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon officials say the half marathon course was unintentionally cut short, affecting the accurate time of some runners.

“Race crew misinterpreted a course certification map that left the half marathon course 286.5-meters short of the prescribed distance,” race officials said in a statement to ABC15. “As soon as race officials were made aware of the error, they worked quickly to bring the course to the accurate distance.”

Course officials tell ABC15 the error happened between miles nine and 10 when a staff member misinterpreted a certification map and misplaced a turnaround point.

Officials also say over a thousand runners completed the too-short course, which was about 940 feet short of the full half-marathon distance.

“As with all Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events, it is our mission to create an unparalleled, world-class athlete experience and we regret any inconvenience and disappointment that this caused,” Rock ‘n’ Roll’s statement also says.

As for the runners who competed in the half-marathon, Kristen Morse who finished in 6th place says she is disappointed.

“If I was going into the race trying to PR that would’ve been a bummer,” said Kristen Morse. “Even so to find out that my time was a minute slower, it’s definitely little disappointing.”

While the full marathon runners were not affected, they understand the frustration the half-marathon runners might have felt.

“When you hear things like that it just gives you an ache in your stomach because people have trained really hard,” said Ron French. “This may be their destination race, this may be their goal race, maybe the only time they’re going to ever run a half marathon.”

Race organizers say they plan on notifying all runners who completed the shortened race.