Hello all,

I am very excited to share my first marathon with you. I ran the Ottawa Fall Colors Marathon in 4:16 last weekend.

The weather was fabulous: 9°C at start time and about 20°C at finish with light winds.

Here are some characteristics of this race:
- Small marathon; about 130 runners, but about 1,000 more participants ran the half, 10k, 5k and 1k.
- We start and finish in the Cumberland Heritage Village. It almost feels like you start and finish in a stadium.
- Hilly course, but if you ran hills just a few times before, you are going to be just fine.
- 21k loop. The second time around is pretty lonely due to the low number of runners and there is not much of a crowd (however, the ones that are there are very supportive), but if you are used to running your long runs alone, no problem there again.
- All volunteers were GREAT!!!
- One of the advantages of running a new marathon (only their second edition), is that you have no problem getting a massage after the race :-)
- The after-race food was absolutely fabulous (hot chili, pasta, etc.)
- Nice draw prizes, free shirts and finisher's medals.

I would ABSOLUTELY recommend it!!!


Lucie

A great course for those who like to run hills. Scenic and interesting with almost no traffic. The small number of participants and the start and finish on the museum grounds gave the race a very homey, comfortable aspect. Excellent, friendly volunteers throughout the race were very supportive. A very positive experience.

Hilly, double-loop course with lots of fall colors - starting and finishing at Heritage Village in Cumberland. Good support and volunteers - I even got offered a long-sleeve shirt from a spectator. Lots of weather changes throughout - sun, rain, hot, cold, but shorts and t-shirt were suitable. Lots of water/Cytomax stations along the way, and chip timing. Washrooms at beginning, end and middle - but lots of bush. Good variety of food at the end and nice, long-sleeve souvenir shirts. Lots of activities at the Heritage Centre for the spectators and their children (ex: pumpkin carving). Lower number of participants as race just starting up - which allowed my husband to finish 5th (bragging rights). A great race - only criticism is the turkeys at the start line were stinky. The designated hotel - the Chimo - had a great special rate and even upgraded us to a suite.