This was my first marathon in Ottawa and I thought it was a great experience. Unfortunately it was hot, but you can't control the weather. The course was beautiful, but the second half could have had more shade. But overall I would do this race again - it was super!

This is a great course, however this year's organization left lots to be desired. Nothing in the race kits; no shirts in my size; no food left when I finished. Those of us who register early shouldn't be penalized when we go to pick up our kits because everything's been given out to those doing late registrations. Also, power walking needs to be recognized. Crowd support was great but event organizers not so much - was even told to get off the course because the runners were coming by - even though I had a bib on. Also, when you question did I actually run in the marathon, that's unfair. I'm a marathoner even if I didn't run. So I'll answer yes, even though I power walked the whole thing.

The course is flat and fast but crowd support is sparse in places. Needs more bathrooms at the start line - there were 7 porta-potties for 4K runners. Ottawa was a great host city and a lot of fun. I would recommend this race to my running friends, especially if they are looking to break PRs.

I feel like I should be honest because I have relied on this site in the past. This was an average-to-good marathon with a very small-city feel to it. There were parts of the course that seemed forced to stretch out the distance (e.g., literally running around a parking lot). I have run a marathon in a smaller-size city before and was much more impressed with the course and supportiveness. If you want to run a marathon for the "experience" more than for the "competitiveness," I would recommend other cities before this.

Really well organized race. Great buzz around the city through the whole weekend. Very scenic route, slightly hillier than I expected. Very long, almost imperceptible hill from KMs 28-35. No shade during that portion so, given the heat (28 Celsius), pretty tough going. Pasta party was pretty average, but everything else was first-class: route, crowd support, entertainment, food, medal.

This was my third time running the marathon here (plus one half marathon), and my sixth marathon overall. God willing I will run this race 50 more times.

The route is very scenic, showcasing how beautiful Ottawa can be. The first half is slightly hilly, the second half is very flat. This a PB-potential course.

Because there are so many events during the race weekend (marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 2K, and inline races) there is a really big league buzz about the place. The organization is top notch, with excellent volunteers.

The only warning I would give is that Ottawa is a hot city in the summer, and the race has had extremely warm temperatures the past two years.

I give this race my highest recommendation.

Ottawa was my second marathon ( I ran Vermont City in Burlington last year) and I loved parts of it, and was frustrated by others. The city itself is beautiful and the race course takes you through some of the best parts. However, the second half of the race was out and back around the canal and a bit monotonous (and HOT this year!) Kudos to organizers for a great finish area with support at the ready if you feel ill; however, I was amazed by the lack of enthusiasm of the spectators. I ran by an inumerable number of people who were standing and watching us run by, no clapping, no cheering, nothing (this included official volunteers.) Overall,beautiful, lovely city and great marathon organization (despite the snafu this year for the elite runners! Oops!) but if you are looking for big, loud crowds, pick somewhere else to run.

But when I decided to run Ottawa, I didn't think I'd be dealing with temperatures in the 70s (F), but that's how it turned out. It was the hottest marathon of the 22 I've run and there aren't any others that are even close.

I was on PR pace for the first 20K or so, but the heat ultimately got to me.

I was on pace for at the half-marathon point, but even to that point, I could tell that I was sweating more than normal. Around 30K, the heat started to kick my butt and my pace slowed. At that point, I was left to try to just keep moving and not worry about my pace. For the first time in years, I actually walked a couple of times in the final 2K.

Another factor, I think, was that there was a lot more shade in the first half than the second half. I definitely drank water or Gatorade at every opportunity, but at a bathroom stop after the race, I could tell that I wasn't hydrated enough.

The city and the course were beautiful, though. There were more runners than I really expected and that made water stations that were a big chaotic in the first half of the race.

Like many races, they had pace groups. I read on the Web site that they called them 'pace bunnies' and didn't understand why. When I was walking to the start line, I saw a guy with a cap with bunny ears and just thought he was being a character. But he was a pace bunny. The bunny ears make it easier to spot them after trying to gather yourself after a crazy water stop.

It was my first race that has kilometer markers instead of mile markers. Although forced the adjustment from shooting for 8-minute miles to 5-minute kilometers, I liked it better because it provides you with more feedback about your pace.

The race organization is fantastic and I give it high marks. The only part I didn't like was what can't be controlled: the weather.

Loved Ottawa, first time visitor. Downtown area is first-class. Really two races - the first half loop from downtown crosses river and goes into embassy area and beautiful homes. Lots of shade. Then downtown again. But then follow the canal for second half and it was full sun, paving, and a little lonely. Keep in mind 2006 race was pretty hot and full sun. Great organization, lots of medics and water stops and so forth. Hope more people try this race!

Running in Canada's capital city is quite an experience. This was my 3rd Marathon, and I couldn't be more impressed. Great organization, fans, event.

It was really hot this year, and the lack of shade in the second half took its toll on everyone.

This course takes you by all the museums, and Parliament as well as the historic parts of town. You pass the largest embassy and consulate buildings and really get a sense of what the city is about.

Probably a difficult first marathon, but still a great course that will not be overly taxing. It got really hot this year that may have made the course seem more difficult, but there are a number of short hills that can drain you in the first half.