MEDIA RELEASE
February 13, 2017
Melissa’s Road Race crowned Alberta’s Grand Champion Road Race in 2016 Edmonton, AB ‐ Athletics Alberta is pleased to announce that the Melissa’s Road Race has crowned the Grand Champion Road Race in 2016. Continuing from it’s last year’s Alberta’s Best Road Win, this year’s award was tabulated from a Provincial‐wide survey conducted by Athletics Alberta.
Beginning in Spring and finishing just before the new year, these awards are based on direct participant feedback from the road running community at-large in which each participant could evaluate each race they competed in and provide critical feedback on their experience.
2016 embarked on an Alberta’s Best Road Race recategorizing from its notable awards program held in previous years – changes this year include crowing an overall Grand Champion, Top 3, and Top 10. Each category has its merit, and all named below are exceptional races.
The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon gained the highest honours in the Top 10 Award Category with the Edmonton Marathon receiving second, improving their standing from 2015, just behind the Top 10 Winner. In addition, Athletics Alberta welcomes the Edmonton MEC Race 5 to its first Top 10 finalist showing.
The Banff Marathon and Half Marathon received the distinction of winning the Top 3 Award Category, leading the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, and Melissa’s Road Race. Congratulations to all three of the Top 3.
The Top Road Races in Alberta are all prominent races that have been given an official Provincial Ranking (for 2016) based on: Participant attendance, Race course popularity amongst runners, results management, and participant satisfaction. Each Winner of their category (Race Directors) will receive keeper trophies with the Grand Champion winner being acknowledged as “Alberta’s Best Road Race Grand Champion in 2016” at the Athletics Alberta’s Annual Awards on February 18, 2017.
The awards are tabulated from all Road Races that are included in the Sanctioned Provincial Road Running Series – the Run Alberta Series. The Run Alberta Series includes a variety of challenging and fun runs from 5 Miles to 100 KM over some of Alberta’s most spectacular terrain and engage Albertans to stay physically active and to pursue a healthy lifestyle through the enjoyment of running in their local communities.
Athletics Alberta is the provincial organizing body for track and field, cross-‐country running and road running. As a branch member of Athletics Canada, Athletics Alberta is made up of individual members, member clubs and affiliated organizations. The purpose of the Association is to promote, encourage and develop the widest participation and the highest proficiency in the sport of Athletics.
Overall Grand Champion
Melissa’s Road Race
Top 3
1. Banff Marathon & Half Marathon
2. Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
2. Melissa’s Road Race
Top 10
1. Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
2. Edmonton Marathon
3. Melissa’s Road Race
4. Banff Marathon & Half
5. Rocky Mountain Soap
6. Dino Dash
7. Kananaskis
8. Edmonton MEC Race 5
8. Run in the Dark
8. Rattler Run
8. Last Chance Marathon
For more information:
Brad Babiak
Technical Manager, Athletics Alberta Office: (780) 427-‐8792
Email: [email protected]
