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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 51 to 61]
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J. M. from Ottawa, Canada
(5/25/2009)
 "Great first run" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. The event was well put on. For my first marathon, I found it difficult due to what I consider hills, but others may not agree about the hills. The support from the spectators was much more than I imagined. I will be doing this one again next year and am determined to cut an hour off of my time. Stay tuned for my comments in 2010. | |
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R. W. from Toronto, Ontario
(5/25/2009)
 "Enjoyable course, highly recommended!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Its a really nice course that takes you around a giant loop of Ottawa and the Hull in Quebec. You don't even feel the small hills in the beginning; you do notice how Gatineu (the Hull) appears like a ghost town at 7:00 a.m. Not only are there no fans at this point, but nobody was walking around either. But once you get out of there, it gets better. There's a killer bridge around KM 32 that just drains any last kick out of you. Other than that, it's a fairly easy course, though it's fairly windy near the water. Fluid stations are sufficient, but they rarely had any porta-potties nearby, forcing this runner to head for the bushes. They did hand out wet sponges twice in the final half, though, and it was amazingly refreshing. Tons of spectators towards the finish and several miles before the half splits off, so you're not bumping into the slow ones at the end. It's really quite an experience, and I highly recommend it. The whole city is in the spirit of it, as over the race weekend there are 7 races with 35,000 participants. | |
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valerie smith from Orangeville, ontario
(5/25/2009)
 "great on race day; kit pick-up was horrid" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Not having race kit pick-up on Saturday afternoon/evening was inexcusable!!! Luckily the race experience was great. | |
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E. S. from Ottawa Valley, Canada
(10/23/2008)
"My favorite race so far!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I love the Ottawa Marathon! I have now run 3 marathons in the Ontario-Quebec region and it's by far my favorite. There are organizational issues with it (lack of porta-potties, etc.), probably just due to the sheer number of people that run it, but what the race lacks in organization, it makes up for in course. It's a little hilly, but not overly so - just enough to make the course more interesting. I like the fact that you get to cross over to Quebec for a portion and also the fact that the course is not out-and-back. Spectator support is hard to come by for the majority of the course, but when it's there, it normally comes in the form of crazy Quebecois dressed up in costume! The race seems to be one of the biggest in Canada and I like the fact that so many people run it, but due to that, starting corrals need to be better organized next year. Overall, excellent race; I'll definitely be back in the future! | |
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r. c. from Toronto, Canada
(6/10/2008)
"Great race, very friendly city!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon and my very first race, and everything went very smoothly, from picking up my race kit to the end of the race. Their website is very informative and a must-read for newbies. I can't imagine finishing the race without the cheers of the spectators, the beautiful scenert, and the friendly volunteers. Overall, the city is a great place to visit, and a great place to run your first marathon. | |
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J. H. from NJ
(6/8/2008)
"Great race and city" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Race was extremely well-organized, with great volunteers and fans. Weather was on the warm side, but scenery was nice. I actually liked the half merge at the end. It was nice to feed off of the half-marathoners' pace as your legs get a bit heavy. The talent of the field is impressive, with strong average times. The city is very pleasant; it has friendly people and and it's easy to get around. | |
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M. L. from Chicago
(6/8/2008)
"Very Enjoyable Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Ottawa is a great city and this race is an excellent showcase. The course winds by beautiful houses, takes you along a scenic canal, through some interesting parks, and finishes where you started - in their eclectic downtown. I only have 2 suggestions: 1) Remove the Quebec part. There were virtually no spectators and the course was on barren city streets and 2) For us metrically-challenged Americans, add a few MILE markers - like every 5 miles at least! Perhaps best of all, Ottawa must have more Irish bars per person than any city but Dublin. | |
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m. w. from ottawa
(6/2/2008)
"Race Weekend: Keeps finding ways to get better" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I may be biased, as this is my hometown marathon, but I think this is one of the best running events in Canada. This year over 32,000 runners participated in the events. This year they added a kids' marathon, with grade school kids training 41K before race day and then running the final 1.2K. This year they tweaked the start time of the half marathon to address merging problems with the marathon (I think it worked!!). This year they moved the running expo to the Cattle Castle, a wonderful historic building by the canal, and added a concert on the Saturday night. My message is that they keep trying and innovating to make a great event even better. The organizers really care about making this event a success. The course for the marathon is a nice mix - what I would call an honest marathon course - giving a good tour of the city. Weather was perfect this year - a little warm at the end - mostly because of the cool weather leading into the weekend. Crowds were fairly good; there were some spots without them, but then again it was early Sunday morning. The bands and the dancers along the way were great. Someone said they couldn't find the pace bunnies. They were there with great big signs and rabbit ears in all the events from the 10K, to half marathon, to the marathon (perhaps it is time to eat some carrots). Bottom line: great race. | |
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C. J. from Orleans, Ontario
(5/31/2008)
 "Outstanding, from start to finish!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A well organized race from start to finish. The course is great; the city is beautiful! I'll be there next year! | |
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A. F. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(5/29/2008)
"Great race, but where was my pace bunny?" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great weekend and experience. I highly recommend it to anyone coming from the U.S. The expo and Athletes' Village were well organized, the crowd support was sporadic but very enthusiastic, and the mix of French and English made for a very interesting race. My one complaint is that when I arrived at the start line and looked for my pace bunny, he/she was nowhere to be found. My wife ran the half marathon and had a similar experience. I understand that many races do not have pace bunnies, but if they are promised, it is a real disappointment if they don't show up. |
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