Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
Ottawa, Canada
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 2K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Tartan Ottawa International Marathon is Canada’s fastest marathon. One of two World Athletics Gold Label marathon events in Canada, the race attracts thousands of participants, including a world-class contingent of pro-athletes every year. The Tartan Ottawa International Marathon is one of Canada’s largest Boston Qualifiers. Featuring the beautiful scenery of … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 23):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°C) | 19 | 11 | 25 | 23 | 16 |
| L (°C) | 8 | 7 | 17 | 4 | 7 |
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Great City Race
This was my first race in Canada. Great race production, fun course and fabulous crowd support. Most of the race was in and around the downtown Ottawa area with a … MORE
This was my first race in Canada. Great race production, fun course and fabulous crowd support. Most of the race was in and around the downtown Ottawa area with a few miles across the water in Gatineau (Quebec). The course went past a number of sites like Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, Rideau Canal, the National War memorial. Things were very well organized and lots of people lining the streets to cheer on runners. The finisher’s medal was cool as was the shirt but that was an extra purchase. Definitely a race to make a weekend of it and take in some of the sights of the Canadian capital.
Great race
The Ottawa marathon is so well organized. Wave starts mean that you didn’t have to trip over other runners for the first couple of kms. It can be (and was) … MORE
The Ottawa marathon is so well organized. Wave starts mean that you didn’t have to trip over other runners for the first couple of kms. It can be (and was) hot, but there were plenty of water stations, about 6 misting stations, and 3 stations handing out wet towels. There was crowd support pretty much the entire route. There were some rolling hills but nothing too daunting. The race shirts and medals were both nice.
All in all – a great race.
Virtual Race but still fun!
Ottawa made race weekend virtual this year. Their app was very easy to use and informative. We were able to run in our home town and submit our time online. MORE
Ottawa made race weekend virtual this year. Their app was very easy to use and informative. We were able to run in our home town and submit our time online.
Canadas biggest marathon
well-organised, but the more races I have done, the less I like these big races. The long stretched finished area felt "cold" and impersonal despite the fact that everybody was … MORE
well-organised, but the more races I have done, the less I like these big races. The long stretched finished area felt “cold” and impersonal despite the fact that everybody was super nice. The course is mainly flat and leads through Ontario and Quebec/ one crosses Ottawa river twice. Unusually many people were getting medical attention and I m not sure if the mild temperatures knocked out the Canadians or if there were so many people not well-prepared. T-shirt and medals plus race bag as swag. Way too looooooong queue at the beer stand (one free beer per participant).
The best day of my life
I should start with a disclaimer. I did not train for this race, I ran maybe twice in the month leading up to it. Nevertheless, it turned out to be … MORE
I should start with a disclaimer. I did not train for this race, I ran maybe twice in the month leading up to it. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a magical day for me.
Being Ottawa, the city is quite picturesque and incredibly clean. The marathon is perhaps the best organized of any race I’ve ever participated in, with frequent and well stocked fueling stations. The spectator support is second to none, and consistent throughout the entire race.
They have lots of pace bunny options and, not having trained I started out with the 4:45 pace bunny, telling him I might not be able to keep up. I just felt so great though, and it wasn’t getting wrapped up in the start line adrenaline, it was something else. I just knew I had to let my legs lead me. So, I eventually caught the 4:30 pace bunny and, to my great surprise, that pace was also too slow for me. So I kept going, and then hit the 4:15 pace bunny, at which point I really started to question myself. But I felt really good too, and I said, you only live once, let’s play this out and see where it leads. So then I finally moved on again and made it to the 4:00 pace bunny, though I ran mostly on my own.
Long story short, I never hit the wall that day, I felt wonderful the entire race. I finished in 4:02, a personal best by a whopping 49 minutes. Not only that, after the race my friends and I saw Radiya Adlo (2nd Place Overall Female), Bazu Worku (3rd Place Overall Male), Merimma Mohammed (1st Place Overall Female) and Samira Raif (3rd Place Overall Female). I muscled up the courage, walked over and asked for a picture. They were very happy to oblige, and Radiya actually gave me the bouquet she’d received on the podium. Not only that, Adam Goucher took the time to personally congratulate me on Facebook. It was the best day of my life. I’ll cherish it always.