Sunday's Milwaukee Marathon set incorrectly causing route to be 4,200 feet short

Updated: 9:50 p.m. October 19

Milwaukee (CBS58) -- Sunday's Milwaukee Marathon wasn't actually a marathon after race officials discovered the course was mismarked and 4200 feet short.

“He said it was awesome!" said Mary Sigl, who’s son Tyler won the race.

After years of running and countless marathons Tyler Sigl got his first win at this year's Milwaukee Marathon.

“He lives like 14 miles from work there are days he'll run to work and he'll run back home so he gets his miles in for the week,” Mary said.

But Thursday Mary learned it wasn't actually a marathon. What's worse, Mary says, is Tyler doesn't know yet.

“He's out deer hunting," she explained.

Some runners did notice things didn't seem quite right during the race.

“I was tracking it and around like mile 24 it seemed  that it was off by a bit,” said Chris Martinez who ran the race. “I got to the finish line and it was off by at least ¾ of a mile. It was at like 25.35.”

And while the 4200 feet short doesn't bother Chris too much, for those hoping to qualify for larger marathons-it's a setback.

In a statement, Boston Marathon organizers said, "We won't be able to accept applications from runners who competed in this race, as the course was short."

“I feel really bad for them,” Martinez said. “I can only imagine how they feel.”

And while Tyler still technically finished first, Mary says he might feel differently now.

"He still won but he'll know in his heart of hearts it wasn't a full marathon," Mary said.

Despite the problems, Mary says Tyler will likely run it again next year and Chris says he will too.

“As marathon runners we just keep going,” Martinez said.

-----

Updated: 4:27 p.m. October 19

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A statement from the Boston Marathon confirms that runners who thought they qualified through the Milwaukee Marathon will not be accepted into the Boston Marathon.

Here is the full statement from the Boston Marathon:

"We won’t be able to accept applications from runners who competed in this race, as the course was short. We have communicated with the Milwaukee Marathon.


"The window for qualifying for the 2019 Boston Marathon remains open until next September, so runners will hopefully have enough time to recover and try again at another race."

------

Posted: 5:14 p.m. October 18, 2017

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Officials with the Milwaukee Marathon have confirmed that the route for this past Sunday's Milwaukee Marathon was set incorrectly.

According to officials. Misinterpretation of the route certification map caused the turnaround on the Hank Aaron State trail to be set in the incorrect spot, causing the route to be approximately 4200’ short.

Immediately upon hearing about potential problems from race participants, an investigation began. 

Officials are now working with the event to make sure participants are made aware of the mistake.

"Race Day Events worked closely with the Milwaukee Marathon and were made aware that the distance of the Marathon was short. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the company hired to race direct and manage the course mistakenly set the turnaround early. We are working with the event to make sure participants are made aware of the mistake and any effects it may have on their performance. We are also using the results of this investigation to make sure we have a best process in place for next year’s event to insure this does not happen again," said Ryan Griessmeyer with Race Day Events.

To read the full statement, see below. 

Share this article: