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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 121 to 131]
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G. P. from Vancouver, Canada
(5/30/2006)
 "Loved it - except the HEAT" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
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d. g. from Toronto, Ontario
(5/30/2006)
"Canada's Must-Do Marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
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E. M. from Farmington, Connecticut
(5/30/2006)
 "Beautiful city, less than enthusiastic crowd" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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. | |
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R. B. from Newport News, Va.
(5/30/2006)
"Nice course, tough weather" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
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C. P. from Novi, MI
(5/29/2006)
"Beautiful city, two races in one, lonely on loop 2" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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D. R. from Toronto
(5/29/2006)
 "FANTASTIC, but hot" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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s. c. from Canada
(4/26/2006)
"A Terrific Marathon Experience" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Ottawa is a big enough city to provide all the amenities - great hotels, restaurants and shopping all within walking distance of the start line and a small enough city that the marathon weekend events are a major focus. The course was mostly flat and interesting and well-supported. Loved the sponges! The expo was a great size and not at all crowded. Only two sore points: the first porta-potties were at 18KM and there were only two of them. Also, be aware that pacers are only human and can make mistakes too. Go with a pace group if you choose but do monitor your own progress if your finish time is important to you. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this race to anyone. Have fun! | |
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Ronald Deveau from Meteghan Nova scotia
(2/20/2006)
"It's like a runner's holiday!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I didn't run the marathon, as we were in Ottawa to visit our son. I wanted to be part of the race weekend, so I ran the 10K. After watching the beginning of the 1/2 marathon and the end of the full, I got the best of all. I was so inspired, I am returning this year to run the 1/2 marathon. Looking forward to the challenge. | |
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J. H. from Toronto
(12/30/2005)
"Looking forward to May 2006!" (General Comments)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Have run this before and will do so again. Nothing compares in Canada (and the rest know it) - course, organization and fans - full stop. All you Americans, make a trip, you will not regret it. | |
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J. B. from canada
(11/17/2005)
"Great for first-time marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon as a runner. Totally awesome. Well organized, great volunteers and I can't say enough about the fans. I have worked on other marathons; none have come close to Ottawa. Looking forward to making this an annual event! |
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