[1] Competition was stopped for approximately ninety minutes during the first run, due to concerns over the naturally deteriorating quality of the ice after so many skaters had raced on it and the seeming inability of resurfacing equipment to do anything about it.

A reserve machine was employed, but it left the ice surface too rough and pitted to permit safe racing by the athletes.

Said Arie Koops, director of Dutch speed skating of the delay and who felt that the third machine wasn't properly prepared, "When skaters are not prepared for a race you don't send them out.

[3] American skater Shani Davis withdrew from the event, citing fatigue.

The track records of 34.80 s and 69.73 s set by Lee Kang-seok on 15 March 2009 were also not broken.