Why I Chose Ottawa
The Ottawa Race Weekend holds a special place in my heart. I ran the 10K last year and was blown away by how well-organized and vibrant the whole event was. It happened to be the 50th anniversary, so they offered a special $50 registration fee for the full marathon. I signed up, but unfortunately had to downgrade to the 10K due to an injury. Ever since then, I’ve been determined to return and experience the marathon in full.
In addition, the half and full marathon medals are beautifully designed, with a spinning feature that makes them extra unique. I wanted one of those, and I wanted to earn it the hard way!
In my opinion, Ottawa is a solid pick for a spring marathon. It’s a well-reputed event, and it doubles as a great excuse for a weekend getaway. From Toronto, it’s about a four-hour drive, and if you’re traveling solo, you can take the train — which I did a couple of years ago. It saves on cost and energy, especially when your legs are so sore after the race.
Race Weekend & Preparation
This year, I drove up and stayed two nights in Ottawa. It gave us enough time to settle in and pick up our race kits. The expo ran from Thursday through Saturday, and we opted to pick up our bibs on Saturday.
There was a minor hiccup before the expo — some participants didn’t receive their bib numbers and QR codes by email. I reached out to the organizers and learned there had been a system error, but thankfully it was resolved just before pickup time. I’ve contacted the race organizers a few times before and have always received prompt and helpful responses, so I felt well taken care of.
One major improvement this year was the expo location. Last year’s downtown venue was a logistical nightmare — hard to park, long lines, and we waited over an hour for our bibs. This time, they moved it to Carleton University, which was much more spacious and accessible. We got our bibs in no time.
As for my own prep: the forecast originally called for low temperature and high chance of rain, so I decided not to carry my own hydration and rely solely on the aid stations. I packed 8 gels, planning for a 4.5-hour finish. It turned out to be sunny and much hotter than expected, which made for a more challenging race day.
Race Day Experience
Race Weekend is structured over two days — Saturday hosts the shorter events (up to 10K), while Sunday is for the half and full marathons. The marathon started at 7:00 AM with about 4,000 runners, while the half began at 9:00 AM with over 11,000 participants. Corrals were organized by pace, which helped everything feel smooth and never overcrowded.
We parked about 15 minutes from the start line, and I recommend arriving before 7:00 AM if you’re driving, as parking can get tight. Public transit was also a great option this year, with early service starting at 5:00 AM.
Standing at the start line, I was filled with emotion. I had trained for five months post-injury, and just being there felt like a victory. The crowd support at the start (and throughout the race) was phenomenal — one of the things that makes this race so memorable.
The first 5K felt great, with some downhills to ease in. From there until the halfway point, the route rolled with several hills. Even though I had reviewed the elevation map beforehand, the hills still caught me off guard. The climb around the 20K mark was particularly tough, and I noticed a lot of runners slowing down. I took it easy to conserve energy, and I’m glad I did.
Despite the terrain, the route was scenic — we ran past several Ottawa landmarks, which made the miles go by faster. I fueled consistently, taking a gel every 35 minutes and stopping at all water stations for a few sips of water and electrolytes. I brought Huma and Krono gels, which I had used in training, and they worked well.
That is, until around 35K, when I hit a wall. I suddenly felt drained, even after taking more gels. I realized I was probably dehydrated. The temperature had climbed, and even though I had been stopping at every water station, I hadn’t been drinking enough. I dragged myself to the next station and downed 2–3 cups of electrolytes and water — and just like that, I felt alive again. It was a tough but valuable lesson about hydration, especially after training in cooler winter weather.
The Finish & Final Thoughts
By the time I reached the final kilometer, my legs were screaming, but my heart was full. This was my first marathon finish in 2.5 years after several DNSs due to injury. I had gone into the race with doubts about whether I could even finish — but now, I was just steps away. The crowd along the final stretch was electric. The cheers carried me through the last 200 meters, and I crossed the finish line in 4:34:38 — right around my goal.
After the finish, we collected our medals and post-race snacks in a well-managed recovery zone. Despite the huge turnout, everything moved smoothly.
All in all, I can’t recommend the Ottawa Marathon enough. It’s incredibly well-organized, scenic, and full of energy. If you’re chasing a PB or want a flat course, this may not be the one. But if you want a solid spring race with great vibes and crowd support, it checks all the boxes. I’ll definitely be back — and hopefully a little faster next time.
