I ran this race over the weekend, and out of the marathon's I've done (with the exception of Boston, my home town) this was the best organized. Nice course. Great fans and lots of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this race and would highly recommend it. Ottawa is a lovely city as well and worth the visit.

I was running this marathon for the second time this year and, once again, found that it was flawless:

- The course has just a bit of small hills to make it fun.
- The organization could not be better: so many volunteers!!! and each of them was smiling, encouraging us and taking their jobs very much at heart. There were first aid volunteers on bicycles checking each of us out, making sure we were doing all right, especially in the last few ks.
- There were a lot of spectators along the course, even at 7:00a.m. when the race started. The end of the race is always so amazing; you feel like a hero during the last 2ks.

You simply HAVE to try this one out!

Thank you Ottawa for making this marathon a memorable one...

Was there in 2004 and look forward to this years (2005) race. So well organized. Just like the big races. Everyone I was with commented about this. In Canada, #1 for sure.

Enjoyed the course, one of the most comfortable races I have run. Thought the expo was to far from the city (15 min bus ride). Crowd support good in spots, poor in most parts. Finish area noisy, but confusing. Volunteers very friendly. Many hotels have big efficiency rooms.

This was my very first half marathon - and what a great experience! Although I trained through the winter, and was surprised with a very warm run day, I found this to be an enjoyable course with great spectatorship and support throughout!

For anyone who is looking for a great first event, I highly recommend this race. The course is relatively flat with beautiful scenery. Although the start line was very crowded (and it added about 2 minutes to my 1K split time), it is quite easy to pick up time and finish respectably.

This year I ran the half-marathon, having done the full (my first) here in 2002. If this is not the best running event in Canada, I'm missing a great race somewhere.

I can't comment on the new full course since it is different from when I ran in '02, but the organization was as smooth as I'd remembered and the fans were very supportive at the end of the course where you need them most. Ottawa is a spectacularly beautiful city and there is just a very positive vibe about this race weekend. Run here if you can.

This was my first half marathon and it was a wonderful experience. The city is great and the course was first-rate with beautiful scenery. As great as the course was the organization was even better. The major hotels were within a five-minute walk to the start/finish line. There are also free shuttles to take you from City Hall to Carleton University to get your number/information, etc.

Even the weather co-operated. My only minor issue was I wish there were some more bands to help pass the time along. The finisher's medal is first-rate and there were TONS of bagels, fruit, yogurt, Gatorade, etc. at the finish line and lots of water/Gatorade and sponge stations along the route - food, drink and toilets are not an issue with this race AT ALL. This is an excellent first-timers course and I would highly recommend it.

Simply the best Canadian marathon.

Ottawa is a city blessed with many wonderful sights and the NCM's course takes advantage of that fact. The end result is a relatively flat course that takes you successively through national landmarks, urban landscape, posh residential areas, serene parks and of course along the beautiful Rideau Canal.

But that is only half of the experience. The NCM is a superb organization that masters every important detail that makes up a great marathon experience. Non-chaotic expo, effective distance marking, efficient water/Gatorade stations and a well-controlled finishing area. The volunteers are cheerful and there are plenty of mobile medical staff and aid stations.

I would say that there is only one thing the NCM organization does not have under its control (apart from the weather): crowd support :-) . One way to put it about supporters: 'THEY ROCK !' From the simple 'high-five stations' by toddlers to the sustained roar of the crowd that can be heard from the 41K mark, there are a lot of touching gestures and kind words intended for each runner, whether you're a sub-3:00 veteran or a first-timer.

Yes, this is truly one great marathon.

PROS:
- People of Ottawa are friendly.
- Hotels well situated near the start - I left 20 min. before the start.
- Fan support 2nd half when you NEED IT. Fans make you feel like a star.
- Gatorade/water tables well-staffed.

CONS:
- Had to search for my medal.
- Recovery area a little chaotic.
- Race pick-up not near city core... WHY?

All in all, I recommend this marathon. Such a clean, friendly city - Ottawa rocks.

I ran the Ottawa Marathon and it was honestly one of the greatest days of my life. The course was beautiful, the spectators were amazing and the messages written on their signs were inspiring, the other runners were so encouraging and nice, the course was well organized, drink stations were at the perfect locations, the cold wet sponges were glorious, etc. Everything was perfect! Even the Web site is awesome and I am still talking to people on the message board weeks after the marathon. Thinking about the marathon, running across the finish line, and the countless touching things I saw still bring tears to my eyes.