Manchester marathon too short by 380m for three years as 24,000 runners have times invalidated

The times from the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Greater Manchester Marathons have been invalidated due to the mistake

All times from the Manchester Marathon between 2013 and 2015 have been invalidated (Getty)

24,000 people have not completed the Greater Manchester Marathon after the course was found to be 380m too short for the past three years, with all runners between the 2013 and 2015 events having their times invalidated.

UK Athletics has announced that it will not recognise the times over the three year period due to the measuring mistake, although it was corrected in time for this year’s edition which was held on 10 April.

A full marathon course should by 26 miles and 385 yards, but the route in Manchester was found to be 380m shy of the mark, leading to officials declaring all times were invalid and blamed an incorrect calibration of the bicycle wheel that is used to measure out the course by an accredited measurer.

“AUKCM regret the error in measurement and the effect it has on runners’ times,” said The Association of UK Course Measurers secretary Phil Holland.

"Significant errors in measurement are rare - our procedures are designed to find them at the reporting or checking stages.”

It added that the race organisers regretted the error and apologised to those who had competed in the races.

A statement from organisers Xtra Mile Events read: “Xtra Mile Events, organisers of the Greater Manchester Marathon would like to respond to the statement issued by AUKCM.

“Responsibility for measuring of the length of the course in 2013, 2014 and 2015 laid with AUKCM, and we relied on AUKCM certification in holding the race over the specified distance. It has been confirmed that the course was measured incorrectly most likely due to a calibration issue. AUKCM have agreed that the course was the same as had been certified.

The race distance was ruled 380m short of a full marathon (Getty)

“AUKCM have taken responsibility for this by issuing this statement.

“We all understand the anguish and huge disappointment this creates, and want to assure our runners that we share the upset and emotion from the AUKCM news regarding the race distance.

“The ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon 2016 was not affected as it took place using a new course which is fully IAAF/AIMS certified.”