Does every sanctioned road race have a certified course?

No. Course certification is not required for a race to be sanctioned. Sanctioned road races may operate without it, including fun runs, charity runs, community participation events, and events not seeking recognition for rankings, records or qualification standards.

Certification is required if the results are intended to count toward provincial or national rankings, provincial or national records, or qualification standards such as national teams and major marathons like Boston. A race must be sanctioned before a course certificate can be issued.

Sources: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AC_Road-Race-Sanctioning-and-Course-Measurement-Certification-Policy_FINAL_March-16-2026_EN.pdf and https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Athletics-Canada-Road-and-Trail-Framework_FAQ.pdf