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May 20, 2024

Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) Runner Comments

Back to Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.3

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 193 [displaying comments 101 to 111]

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L. S. from London, ON (2/1/2007) "Hilly and no one to watch" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Three strikes and you're out! This course is better than the old one a few years back but still hilly and with no spectators. The overall event is large, but the marathon only has about 2500 in it and it's tough on the course with long stretches with not a soul in sight. KM markers didn't correspond to my GPS and were off in some cases by 250 feet. The volunteers were all helpful and had spirit, just not enough of them. The expo was the worst laid out expo I've attended. No flow; some aisles were packed and others had no one. Kind of like a big hot (no air conditioning) flea market. A poor selection of Ottawa Marathon clothing was disappointing. This is one marathon I would not recommend for first-timers.
A. D. from Kingston (1/10/2007) "Course could be better" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 My first and last time running this race. The expo was way out in the middle of nowhere, and it was badly organized with poor traffic flow. Also, you would think that they would put it in an air-conditioned building! Starts early in the morning and there are no spectators on the course except at the start/finish area. They need more selection of food at the finish and should get more music on the course. There was no medical set-up on the course and I think I may have missed some of the mile markers - or maybe they didn't have them? Could be better organized.
M. I. from Canada (11/22/2006) "Scenic and superbly organized but train for hills." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything you read in the other commentaries about the outstanding level of organization and the beautiful course - it's all true. Probably the best urban marathon I've run and I've done 21 and counting. One comment though: this marathon acquired a reputation for being flat and fast years ago when it really was flat (a double out-and-back along the canal). The course changed completely a few years ago - it's now rolling hills for the first half and a steep overpass at 32K. But the flat and fast reputation stuck. This is a beautiful course and a well orchestrated event - well worth running but train for hills.
P. V. from Ottawa, CAN (8/6/2006) "Overall great day" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I know the city and route well. Overall I enjoyed it immensely. It was too hot and I heard from later finishers that water ran out and many people had to stop due to the heat. The expo was good; we met Mr. Stanton, and the deals were excellent. I ran faster than I planned but was 10 minutes short of a BQ time. It is a carnival-like atmosphere at the start/finish area and the crowds were great. There are many different events, so dozens of in-line skaters whiz around the start area. Overall it was a blast and I hope to run it again.
N. S. from Connecticut, USA (7/25/2006) "Great first marathon!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The staff and spectators could not have been friendlier. The course was beautiful.
C. G. from Bermuda (7/9/2006) "One of the best!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race is great for any active family. There is something for everyone and I think the race director and organizers did an excellent job. I am still amazed at how you all manage to pull everything off so brilliantly. Yes, it was hot and there was an unfortunate mix up out on the course, but all things considered, the race was well done. Ottawa is a beautiful city and the Canadians are very friendly. This was my second Race Weekend and this time around I brought some friends with me and we also participated in the 5k walk and run. We had a blast. Keep it up and we will continue to spread the word.
S. S. from San Francisco Bay Area (7/4/2006) "Excellent urban marathon" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great marathon. Well-organized. Nice expo. The spectators were encouraging. Runner support and aid stations were quite impressive including vaseline. The route itself along the canal and Hull were pretty. Two suggestions: 1) More food and apparel options in the expo; 2) More massage stations. The line was about 1-hour wait. After a marathon it could be painful.
J. H. from Ottawa (6/27/2006) "Great run...too bad it was so warm" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year the Ottawa Marathon Weekend was unlucky and got warm weather. Living in Ottawa I know from past history and certainly from this spring that the organizers did a fantastic job despite the conditions and I am amazed at the 'heat' they are taking for it :-) ( I am not aware of any organization that can control the weather). I will let people know that the typical weather in Ottawa at this time of year is a high of about 18-20 deg C (64-68 deg F) with about 10 deg C at start time (or about 48-50 F). This years official high was 26 deg C (about 81F) and it might have been close to 20 at start time. Those living here will also attest to the fact that the Race Weekend happened to hit the only warm weekend we had until middle of June. Besides the weather I again enjoyed my race. I found the entire experience a delight. From expo, course bus tours (hey its free and it was sunny), start and baggage drop off. The finish line was better than last year and watching the guy (random runner) win a car was pretty cool. I think the course is great. A coupled of small hills to break things up but as far as a race goes not many take in all major tourist attractions in a country's capital city! Due to the heat I was wobbly at the end but the medical team is in my opinion second to none. I got support immediately and they stayed with me until they felt I was ok. Considering the unfortunate heat I think the event was even more fantastic and I have great respect for the huge volunteer effort this is. A lot has been made about moving back to the earlier date. Besides the fact that this year that day was freezing a rain, the more realistic option is to move the start of the 1/2 marathon earlier. That race starts a little late (10:15AM) and would benefit from the cooler hours earlier in the day. I hope and believe the organizers will try and make this happen. I'll be back.
C. M. from Ottawa (6/15/2006) "Nice course... but too late in the season" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The marathons in 2005 and 2006 were blistering hot. This year the finish temperature was 28 degrees Celsius and the humidity very high. The marathon was better when it was in early May, when cooler temperatures prevailed. In having it later, its appeal of a fun, warm weekend, with numerous events meant it was not a fast pace marathon. There were not enough blankets at the finish, nor was the food good. I would recommend a spring marathon with a higher chance of cooler temperatures.
B. R. from Toronto, Ontario (6/10/2006) "Terrible Organization - Dangerously So!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I was very excited to enter the Nation's Capital Half Marathon. I had heard so much about it. Ottawa is one of my favorite cities in Canada, so I was looking forward to this race to achieve a PB! The expo was excellent and there were genuine deals to be had from the various venders! This was especially so in the final moments before closing! However, this is the best part of my commentary!! The planned timing of the half-marathon's commencement was irresponsible. Start time was 10:15 hours. The temperature at that moment was reported to be 29 degrees Celsius with a humidex of no less than 34 degrees! As most runners know, this is the worst part of the day to be finishing a run, let alone starting one. I think it would have been wiser to start the half at either the same time as the full marathon (0700hrs) or some staggered time thereafter, i.e. 7:15. While the organizers cannot control the weather, they can at least prepare for the worst possible scenario, and that to most of us, would be heat and humidity! Notwithstanding the timing of the start, the least the organizers could/should have done was ensure that there was enough water at each station and food at the finish! This was tragically NOT the case! And so, this run to me, was more of a first-aid re-certifier in dealing with the two dehydration/heat exhaustion victims I personlly dealt with out of the 24 I actually witnessed along my journey. The worse part of this tragedy was that on two water tables, there was absolutely NO WATER AT ALL! I actually had to wait 4 minutes for these sweet senior citizens to shunt from a garden shed carrying two WATER CANS in each hand to fill a volatile crowd of angry, weak, and suffering runners holding the empty paper cups found on the station's table! UNTHINKABLE! I actually felt sympathy for the senior citizens caught up in the absurdity! And, if that wasn't bad enough, as we finished, the "recovery tent" was anything but! The temperature inside was unbearable; the refreshments consisted of hot bottled water; a few remaining cottage cheese and fruit products; very stale bagel particles (which only absorbed any remaining moisture you had in your mouth!). They ran out of most of the other post-race treats ie yogurt, bananas, orange slices! And it was while waiting in line to learn of this disaster, while sweltering in the intense heat of the tent, I felt myself begin to faint... only catching myself at the last second in time to leave the tent and find my relatives outside the finisher's area! Later I was to learn of the great number of runners who didn't finish the event! I wondered if as a half-marathoner, I would have been better served to have done the full marathon several hours earlier. I wish to clarify for this forum and its readers that I have yet to run a full marathon. However, I do have quite a few half marathons under my belt. As such, I have never seen such poor organization in all other events combined, as I did in Ottawa this year! Next year, I hope MAJOR improvements are made! Not to do so would be morally - if not legally - irresponsible to all the runners placing their trust in expectations of superior planning, fluid intake, and post-race recovery! Ottawa is a great city, full of even greater citizens. This year they were shamed before the running world in so many ways. Too bad! Let's hope event irganizers take note and make changes in key areas for next year! I MAY come back just to see for myself! I doubt I could be more shocked and/or disappointed than I was this year! Thank you for this wonderful website and opportunity to express my sentiments on this event.

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