The National Capital is once again preparing for a friendly invasion, with tens of thousands of runners and walkers preparing to dash and stride through area streets from Ottawa to Gatineau over the weekend.
Organizers have pegged official registration at about 40,000 participants, the highest level in about a decade . That’s not including the tens of thousands of spectators at the weekend events.
The six events are sold out: the Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon; the Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins; the Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa: the 5K; the 2K and the popular Ottawa Kids’ Marathon.
Here’s what you need to know to take in and enjoy Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
Ottawa weather this weekend
The weather’s looking a bit iffy, (although hard-core runners should be pleased).
The outlook is cloudy with a 40-per-cent chance of rain showers for both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s high is forecast at 18 C, while Sunday should be around 17 C.
Evening temperatures are expected to be about 13 C.
Weekend Event Schedule
Saturday
- Ottawa Kids Marathon – 1 p.m.
- Ottawa 2K – 3 p.m.
- Ottawa 5K – 4 p.m.
- Elite Women’s 10K – 5:45 p.m.
- Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa – 6 p.m.
Sunday
- Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon – 7 a.m.
- Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins – 9 a.m.
Race Start lines are on Laurier Avenue near Elgin Street and finish lines are on Queen Elizabeth Driveway, just north of Somerset Street.
Fitness Expo/Bib pickup
Fitness Expo features dozens of exhibitors presenting sports gear, nutrition and wellness products from Thursday to Saturday at the Carleton University Fieldhouse, 1125 Colonel By Drive.
Runner bib pickup is at the Fitness Expo.
Expo hours:
Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Getting there
OC Transpo says O-Train Line 1 and Line 2 service will begin at 5 a.m. on Sunday. Runners and spectators can use the Rideau and uOttawa stations to access the start and finish line areas.
Check here for OC Transpo Race Weekend info.
Baggage check
Baggage check for runners is at Lisgar Field, behind Festival Plaza.
Saturday from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday from 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
How to track athletes you’re cheering for
You can track runners in the Run Ottawa app and find results and other data on “Sportstats.”
Download the app here.
Road and bridge closures
Saturday, May 23
- Laurier Avenue (Metcalfe to Nicholas): 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Elgin Street (various): 1:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
- Queen / O’Connor / Wellington: 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Somerset to Preston): 3 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Colonel By Drive (Hawthorne to Bronson): 3:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Lakeside / Lakeview: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 24
- The Alexandra Bridge, Chaudière Bridge will be closed on Sunday morning.
- Laurier Avenue: 5 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Elgin Street (northbound): 5 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Wellington Street (eastbound): 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Lawrence Freiman Lane to Laurier): 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Elgin to Preston): 6 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Colonel By Drive (Rideau to Hog’s Back): 6 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Bronson Avenue southbound: 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Bank Street Bridge: restricted during peak hours
- Rideau Street (Sussex to Mackenzie): 7 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Mackenzie Avenue: 6:30 a.m. – Noon p.m.
- St. Patrick Street: 6 a.m. – Noon p.m.
- Sussex Drive: 6 a.m. – Noon
- Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway: 6 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Parkdale Avenue: 6:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Tunney’s Pasture Driveway: 6:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Booth Street (local access only): 6:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Slidell Street: 6:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway (Vimy to Island Park): 6:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Booth Street: 6:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Wellington Street (eastbound): 6:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Eddy Street in Gatineau: 6:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Alexandre-Taché Boulevard in Gatineau: 6:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Montcalm / Laurier in Gatineau: 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
What about the Great Glebe Garage Sale?
Note: The Great Glebe Garage Sale reports the city has imposed traffic and parking restrictions to manage congestion and safety:
- Closures on Second and Fourth avenues between Lyon and O’Connor in effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Closures on Glebe, First and Third avenues may also be put in place during that period depending on traffic congestion.
- Access to streets from Bank Street in either direction between Glebe and Fourth avenues will be closed. However, local traffic will still be able to access the area between Glebe and Fourth from Lyon and O’Connor.
- Parking and no-stopping restrictions will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following streets will be closed to visitor parking, although Glebe residents with residential parking permits may park as usual: Glebe, First, Second, Third and Fourth avenues between Lyon and O’Connor.
