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Apr 28, 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 41 to 51]

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Larry Sherman from Greenfield, MA (USA) (5/31/2010) "Great city, great marathon, new PR and BQ!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had high hopes for this marathon after a disappointing Hartford in 2009. My goal was to break 3:20 to BQ, but the early weather reports were predicting temps in the lower 80s with high humidity (not good). The race doctor posted a warning about the temps and hydration, but the weather changed by Sunday and the day stayed cloudy throughout, with temps in the 60s - just perfect for a marathon! The starting area was well organized with plenty of crowd support. I didn't know much about the course, but I was encouraged by the weather I went out with the 3:15 pace bunny and kept my splits at 7:24 per mile. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, and the crowd really got the adrenaline going. The course was not flat - more of a rolling course, but not as dramatic as VT City. It always seemed like I was running up or down an incline, and there were a lot of turns and sights to see along the way so the run never got monotonous. The water-stop volunteers were great - super nice and plentiful. This was the first marathon where I got to use sponge stations (a really great idea). Even though it wasn't very hot, it made a difference to be able to clean up and cool off with a nice, clean sponge soaked in cool water. The music was a mixed bag. One band consisted of little kids playing pop music (cute), another was playing Mexican acoustic tunes, and there was a talented Dixieland jazz group with clarinet and tenor banjo. One rock band was deep into a catchy groove that kept me going for miles, but another near the finish was playing a song with lyrics saying to slow down (a stupid message for a marathon). I kept with the 3:15 group until they picked up the pace a bit to 7:20, then dropped into my own rhythm and worked on keeping my focus. The crowd was sparse away from the city center, but there were pockets of people everywhere, and it was really cool getting cheered for in both English and French. Towards the end there was a big bridge we had to cross that was an unwelcome, long uphill just when you didn't need it, but there was a funny sigh at the start of it saying, "This bridge could be much worse, so just get over it." That helped... and for every climb you were rewarded with a welcome downhill to push you back on pace. The last few miles were tough for me, but I kept hearing people cheering for the 3:20 pace bunny, and I knew that I couldn't let the 3:20 group pass me after all those miles. The last 500 meters felt like 2 miles, but the crowd made it all worthwhile, and I finished with a time of 3:18:59 (BQ!). Some random notes: Although the race was well organized, and the spectators, volunteers, and runners were very polite and helpful, there were some exceptions. In the last mile or so, and especially in the last 300 meters, the spectators kept crossing in front of the runners. My wife saw a woman step right in front of a runner who was struggling to finish, and he stopped dead, and had a lot of trouble getting his legs to move again. Thats the last thing you want in the finishing chute. I had to run around a guy crossing in front of me with a bike. Don't they realize how hard it is to just keep putting your feet in front of each other? Another runner stopped to let a woman with a stroller cross in front of him, but he did it with a sense of humor that left the spectator (who hadn't looked first) horrified at her own behavior, and the crowd roared with encouragement for him. Luckily a police officer noticed what was happening and took control - pushing the crowd back to protect the runners trying to finish. This was never an issue anywhere else on the course. I didn't notice any issues at all with the half-marathon joining the full marathon finishers. I did see a couple of folks blow past me in the last few miles like they were running a 10K, but it wasn't disruptive to the flow or experience. The finisher's medal is awesome! The best I've ever received. The race shirt is high-quality too. There isnt a lot of commercialism with this race. Don't expect too much branded merchandise at the expo (there is plenty of stuff to buy, just not lots of Ottawa Marathon items). Logistics are easy at this race. There are plenty of hotels within walking distance from the start, lots of great restaurants, and the expo isn't far away. The pasta dinner was a bit over-produced: rich, creamy, cheesy sauces with no indication of whether the items were vegetarian or not (a big deal for me), and some kind of soft drink (flat cola?). I wish there had been some plain pasta with sauces you could add yourself. If you want to combine a trip to a beautiful city with a chance to run an exciting race, then I recommend the Ottawa Marathon. See you in Boston!
Sanjay Mohanta from Ottawa, ON (5/31/2010) "Getting Better!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my 23rd marathon and my third in six weeks. The course is not flat but rather quite hilly. The race has its pluses, like amazing crowd support, lots of porta-potties at the start, lots of volunteers and plenty of Vaseline stops, but it could improve in a few areas: 1. More water stations - every 2K 2. Hand-washing gels in the porta-potties (they looked like they were removed!) 3. With the finish line being close to Ottawa U., they should be like the TO Marathon and have free showers on campus for the runners. Just a thought. 4. Bags at the runners' expo! At least let the runners know in advance so that they can bring their own bag. Also, handouts about the warning signs of sun/heat stroke would be good as well. It was a fun race with good people around. Just a few improvements and this race would be awesome! - Sanjay
A. L. from Thunder Bay, Ontario (5/31/2010) "Great race but not as organized as other marathons" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Really enjoyed this race. I don't think they should advertise it as flat as it's more like "rolling hills" the entire course. The spectators were great; water stations were great. The race expo and the finish line were where I feel a few things could be improved. I think "sweat bags" should be given out at the expo instead of bringing your own the next day. Also, a finders' area at the finish line would be fabulous. I couldn't find any of the people I came here with - and since I'm not from Ottawa, I didn't have a landmark to choose (like others told me they did). The other marathons I have completed (Grandma's and Twin Cities) designate a finders' area by letter. Yesterday was just plain chaos! Also, and maybe I'm being picky, but I can't help but compare how the food was other races with how it was in Ottawa. (When I finish a marathon, I am starving!!) So I was disappointed in the selection (or lack thereof). Maybe I have higher expectations because at other races they have things like sandwiches, ice cream, chips and fresh fruit - and I expected the same here. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed Ottawa and the weather was fantastic - but I do think a few things could be improved upon.
D. B. from Udora, Ontario (11/16/2009) "Great Crowd; Tough First Marathon" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The number of fans throughout the weekend was terrific and perhaps unparalleled in Canada. This was a tough marathon in 2009 and for my debut: 1) Late May is a risky date for potential heat and this course has a little shade. It wasn't just me - I had a 39 second per K fade from the first 30K to the last 12.2K and didn't lose any position in the race doing so. 2) Merging with the half-marathon course for the last 5K is discouraging. I was 3:20 into a 3:53 marathon fade and had fresher halfers 1:20 into 1:40 - 1:45 halves joining our group in about a 5:1 ratio. Easy to feel trounced at that point.
j. l. from marieville Quebec (9/29/2009) "A great happening, but..." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A remarkable event with good organization and a splendid course.
Niki McLaughlin from Oakville, Ontario, Canada (7/29/2009) "Beautiful and well organized, with good spectators" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I am very glad I chose Ottawa. The course was beautiful and I liked the ups and downs of the hills. The spectators were so supportive that they made me teary eyed at times when I couldn't believe I was really doing it! I felt that the volunteers were well informed and positive. The finish was electrifying and I loved the 750M... 500M... 400M countdown signs!! My only complaint was that the medical tent ran out of ice, which I badly needed for my knee by the end! Great medal After saying I would only do one marathon... I think I would do this one again!!
D. M. from Ottawa, Ontario (5/27/2009) "Great Course and City - Must-Do for a Canadian Run" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race is very well done. I live and train in Ottawa, so I am aware that it is a beautiful city and course, and yet when I do it I am always reminded by how pretty it is. If you are coming from out of town, you can stay at many great hotels, in the center of town, all within 0.5K of the start line. No issue with getting exhausted just getting to the start. This year the organizers dropped the hated arboretum loop. I hope that it stays out. Who needs a hilly loop toward the end of a marathon - even though the arboretum is a pretty place to run?
M. B. from Greenwood, Nova Scotia (5/26/2009) "First Marathon" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved my experience and I will be back. The course is beautiful. I loved the fact that we run in two provinces!! The crowd at the end is unbelievable. They are the ones who "carried" me to the finish line. Thanks to the organizers and the volunteers; they did an amazing job!!
r. k. from Halifax, Nova Scotia (5/26/2009) "Great course, organization - get rid of the MERGE!" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, so I cannot compare it to other venues; however, here are the pros and cons I experienced: Pros: 1. Spectators - I can't fault anyone who cheers me (a stranger) on. The last mile or so was pretty amazing - basically a sea of people on both sides of the road and on the overpasses above. Also, coming into the start of the canal after passing the halfway mark we encountered a wall of noise that really lifted the spirits. 2. Course - Very flat, which was nice as a first-timer. During the race I heard some people complain about the hills, but I'm not sure what they were referring to because there were only gentle rises - definitely no hills. 3. Organization - I'm going to nitpick later about the organization because I think my opinion would have been different had I not gotten lucky with the race kit pick-up. I went on Friday at midday, and I was in and out in under 2 minutes. However, when my wife went on Saturday, she had a much different experience. 4. Volunteers/staff - Virtually every volunteer I came into contact with was willing to help as best as they could. And the water/Gatorade station workers were great - I never had any issues with getting fluids, etc., though I was near the back and most of the runners around me were pretty relaxed. I would assume things might have been more intense nearer the front. Cons: 1. Course - Yeah I liked it, but I hated the merge with the half-marathon people with 3-4 (?) KMs to go. Honestly, it was a letdown to run all that way and suddenly have the road get crowded. This may be over-analyzing, but I felt like the accomplishment of getting that far had been diminished. Plus, it more than doubled the number of people at the finish, which was a complete zoo. The merge was the only truly negative thing; I guess the other part I didn't like about the course was the section near the experimental farm, but I was hurting by that point, so I have a skewed opinion. 2. Race kit pickup at city hall - Saturday afternoon, the line was probably five-people thick and 150 meters long. It was pretty nuts. I guess the trick is to go early - no surprise. That's about all I can think of. Overall, a very positive experience; you can't expect everything to be smooth sailing with that many people.
Jill Pettit from Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada (5/26/2009) "Amazing!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The National Capital Race Weekend is an experience everyone should take part in. We watched the shorter distance races on Saturday and raced the marathon on Sunday. Everything is within walking distance - the start, finish, and expo - which is really nice. The shirt and knapsack goody bag are both wonderful. The course is fairly flat, well groomed, marked, and patrolled by race officials. Beautiful scenery the entire distance. Lots of spectators along the route. Water and aid stations were well manned by amazing volunteers. The race is inclusive to all who want to participate, and the seven-hour time limit allows it - just choose your distance and method. We had ideal weather conditions to top it all off.

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