What does a sanctioned road race mean for runners?

Sanctioning is the annual approval of an event by the appropriate Provincial/Territorial Branch, confirming that the event is conducted in a fair, safe and responsible manner and in line with applicable rules and standards. Athletics Canada administers course measurement certification, while the Branch sanctions each event every year.

For runners, sanctioning matters because only performances at sanctioned road races on certified courses are recognized for provincial, national and international rankings, records and qualification standards (for example National Team events and the Boston Marathon). The policy covers road races only: mountain and trail races are governed by separate policies.

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/get-involved/race-directors/sanctioning-and-labeling/