Servus Calgary Marathon draws 20,000 runners and raises $700K as Strong Like Sloane leads largest charity team
Servus Calgary Marathon 2026 drew 20,000 runners, 1,600 volunteers and raised over $700,000 for 100 charities; Strong Like Sloane fielded 212 runners.
The Servus Calgary Marathon on May 24, 2026, brought a record crowd to downtown Calgary as 20,000 participants converged for full and half-marathon events that finished at Enmax Park in Stampede Park. The marathon, which began at 6:45 a.m. on 11th Avenue, combined elite racing with community fundraising and visible charity teams on the Bow River course. Organizers reported more than $700,000 raised for over 100 registered charities and about 1,600 volunteers helping across the weekend.
Record turnout in Calgary
The Calgary Marathon Society said this edition set new participation marks, with a mix of first-time marathoners and long-time competitors turning out for the spring event. Volunteers lined the course and community members filled spectator zones, contributing to an energetic atmosphere through downtown and along the river. Vice-chair Meredith Conrod, who completed the half-marathon, said the depth of participation reflected both a local running culture and growing national interest in mass-participation events.
Top finishers and standout performances
Nageso Nyafaro Tuse won the men’s elite division, crossing the marathon finish line in 2:22:18 after a strong weekend that included a second-place finish in the ASICS Runkeeper 10 km. Tuse, who trained for years in Iten, Kenya, moved to Canada in 2024 and relocated to Calgary in November 2025 to work at a specialty running store. On the women’s side, Michelle Spencer of Guelph claimed the top masters spot with a time just under 2:49, citing crowd support and a comfortable rhythm along the Bow River as key to her performance.
Fundraising totals and beneficiaries
Organizers confirmed weekend fundraising surpassed $700,000, distributed among more than 100 charities that registered with the event. The Calgary Marathon has long integrated charity teams into its model, and this year’s haul included significant grassroots contributions from individual fundraisers and coordinated team efforts. Event staff emphasized that proceeds benefit local health, youth and social service organizations, underlining the marathon’s role as both a sporting event and a community fundraiser.
Strong Like Sloane mobilizes largest team
The Strong Like Sloane Foundation registered the largest single team on the course, fielding 212 participants in bright green shirts to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. The group formed after Sloane Masikewich, then a child, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2023; her mother, Claire Masikewich, launched the foundation in 2024 after learning that a small fraction of cancer research funding in Canada goes to childhood cancers. The foundation’s presence has grown quickly: initial fundraising in its first year supported the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and subsequent drives have increased both membership and dollars raised, Masikewich said.
Personal stories on race day
The marathon showcased a range of personal motivations and adaptive approaches to racing. Cindy Luterbach completed the half-marathon using an Alinker walking bike, accompanied by her service dog, demonstrating accessibility in distance events. Sheldon Smith approached the finish while fundraising for Hull Services, a Calgary organization providing mental health supports to youth. Military veterans, local club members and families were visible throughout the course, illustrating the event’s broad community reach.
Organizers reflect and look ahead
Calgary Marathon officials described the weekend as one of the largest and smoothest in recent memory, pointing to volunteer coordination and expanded spectator support as contributors to the event’s success. Staff and board members signaled plans to build on this year’s momentum while refining logistics for future editions, including continued emphasis on charity partnerships and runner experience. Several top competitors said they intend to race additional Canadian marathons next season, continuing a circuit that now includes Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Community energy, elite results and meaningful fundraising combined to make the Servus Calgary Marathon on May 24 a notable date on Calgary’s sporting calendar. The race closed with celebration at Stampede Park and continued donations still being tallied, underscoring the weekend’s dual role as an athletic competition and a vehicle for local philanthropy.
