Ottawa, Ontario, Canada May 23-24, 2026
Source: https://www.runottawa.ca
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
Races
Challenges
The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend began as a small marathon in 1975 and has since grown into the largest multi-day running event in Canada, drawing tens of thousands of participants to the nation’s capital each year .
Here is a timeline showing how the event has grown and changed over the decades:
🏁 Humble Beginnings and Early Years
The event was founded in 1975 as the National Capital Marathon. The first race was modest, with only 146 runners—143 men and just 3 women, the first of whom was Eleanor Thomas, who finished in 3:27:28 .
Inclusivity has been part of its fabric since the early years:
- 1979: The first wheelchair participant, Lou Mulvihill, took part .
- 1983: A separate division for wheelchair athletes was officially created, with Rick Hansen becoming the first official winner in that category .
📈 Major Growth and Milestones
The 1990s marked a turning point, transforming the event into the modern “Race Weekend” concept:
- 1996: Jim Robinson was hired as Race Director, bringing a vision and energy that professionalized the event .
- 1998: A pivotal year when the Half-Marathon and 5K were added, officially expanding it into a weekend of events. Ottawa also became the first running event in Canada to use chip-timing technology .
- 2004: The Kids Marathon was introduced, reinforcing the family-friendly atmosphere .
- 2012: The event was officially renamed the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend after Ottawa-based Tamarack Homes became the title sponsor .
- 2013: Just one year after the rebranding, the event solidified its status as a national leader with close to 44,000 participants .
🌟 A Truly World-Class Event
Today, the Ottawa Race Weekend is more than just a local race; it is a destination for elite athletes and casual runners alike, featuring certified Gold and Elite labels from World Athletics .
- Record Breaking: The weekend has seen incredible athletic feats. Andualem Shiferaw set the men’s marathon course record in 2:06:04, while Gelete Burka set the women’s record at 2:22:17 .
- Inclusivity Focus: Run Ottawa has continued to break down barriers. In 2021, they expanded gender categories to include non-binary participants. They have also created dedicated Adaptive Athlete Programs to support runners with physical and invisible disabilities .
- Economic Powerhouse: The event draws over 40,000 participants and generates millions for the local economy, booking thousands of hotel rooms and creating a vibrant race expo .
