{"id":14964,"date":"2025-01-17T10:08:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T15:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/?p=14964"},"modified":"2025-01-17T10:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T15:09:15","slug":"the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa","title":{"rendered":"The History of the National Capital Marathon: Sporting Ottawa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Capital Marathon is Canada\u2019s most popular multi-day running event. Each May, over 40,000 participants compete along Ottawa\u2019s picturesque routes. Discover the story of this remarkable event on <a href=\"http:\/\/iottawa.net\">iottawa.net.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a495e7c773e9\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a495e7c773e9\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#How_It_All_Began\" >How It All Began<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#The_Evolution_of_Ottawa_Marathons\" >The Evolution of Ottawa Marathons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#Rick_Balls_Record-Breaking_Victory\" >Rick Ball\u2019s Record-Breaking Victory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#Celebrating_40_Years_of_the_Ottawa_Marathon\" >Celebrating 40 Years of the Ottawa Marathon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#Ottawa_Marathon_Race_Distances\" >Ottawa Marathon Race Distances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#Ottawas_Sports_Hall_of_Fame_Exhibition\" >Ottawa\u2019s Sports Hall of Fame Exhibition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#Ottawas_Fastest_Woman_Becky_Peterson\" >Ottawa\u2019s Fastest Woman: Becky Peterson<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-history-of-the-national-capital-marathon-sporting-ottawa\/#A_Citywide_Celebration\" >A Citywide Celebration<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_It_All_Began\"><\/span>How It All Began<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The highly anticipated Ottawa Race Weekend, also known as the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend thanks to its sponsor Tamarack, Scotiabank, traditionally takes place on the last weekend of May in Canada\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This two-day event features seven races, including the prestigious Ottawa Marathon. All races start and finish near Ottawa\u2019s City Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first Ottawa Marathon was held in 1975 and is recognized as an Elite Label Road Race World Athletics event. Each year, over 40,000 participants take part, making it a cornerstone of Ottawa\u2019s athletic calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the marathon, the event includes Canada\u2019s largest Health and Fitness Expo. Every year, participants raise over $1 million for charity, supporting both local and national organizations. For instance, in 2010, $904,521 was raised and donated to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101809\/ad_4nxei75n7nsr-vk31dt_wgzt88quj6t3sd7gzjvbpexvsqkvsrkrlozrmrifhnavzb_r4jvm-1uxbi3jfoz5r8_lyxjfc62jwr4bfyctswp0zmsu9rbwbr9v0l44uloim6yfaeytq6akeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Evolution_of_Ottawa_Marathons\"><\/span>The Evolution of Ottawa Marathons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since its debut in 1975, the marathon has evolved significantly. The inaugural event featured 146 participants (143 men and 3 women). Over the years, the marathon has expanded and adapted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1986: A new 10 km distance was added.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1995: Inline skating was allowed for marathon participants but was discontinued in 2005.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1996: Jim Robinson joined as race director, ushering in new leadership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1998: The event introduced 5 km and half-marathon (21.1 km) distances. Ottawa became the first in Canada to implement official timing at these events.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1999: A 2 km distance was added.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2006: Fourteen runners accidentally veered 400 meters off course, rendering their results unofficial. While some received prizes, others were offered compensation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2010: Rick Ball set a world record for a single-leg amputee marathon runner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2012: John Halvorsen, a two-time Olympian and former Ottawa record-holder, succeeded Jim Robinson as race director.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2013: Over 44,000 participants took part.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101807\/ad_4nxdzm1mvtrysrtxj0it51ylmdwjlcxwwri7ldbyyy84jidcbjqcm7fihywbzpr2fpbbjefg8kzechedb1qb4vbcgydjbvwl0tri-ztsq4ubmfjj2__k5xzie9bextsysyvfdrxiboqkeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rick_Balls_Record-Breaking_Victory\"><\/span>Rick Ball\u2019s Record-Breaking Victory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rick Ball\u2019s performance in 2010 remains a landmark moment in Ottawa Marathon history. Despite having a single leg, the runner from Orillia, Ontario, shattered the three-hour mark, setting a new world record and inspiring countless others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Celebrating_40_Years_of_the_Ottawa_Marathon\"><\/span>Celebrating 40 Years of the Ottawa Marathon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2014, the Ottawa Marathon celebrated its 40th anniversary, drawing nearly 48,000 participants to its seven events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two years later, scorching temperatures of over 30\u00b0C forced adjustments to event schedules. In 2019, construction on Elgin Street necessitated a route change, and Ian Fraser became the race\u2019s new director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, the traditional races were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite prepayments from many participants, organizers cited significant expenses and declined refunds. In 2024, the Ottawa Marathon will celebrate its 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101806\/ad_4nxfwogiknbwrtyyd0ryesz7k5zjn4kb3mkdujoglck1yyayzpfkhqjb6dflrcewbiki456l7bhuu3gckpnmzg5qoozj1jieob6rroz75_ptagz2alyguqlffhozid0yz01iuni5fnakeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ottawa_Marathon_Race_Distances\"><\/span>Ottawa Marathon Race Distances<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event offers a range of distances to suit participants of all ages and abilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children\u2019s races: 1.2 km, 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Half-marathon: A 21.1 km road race covering half the marathon distance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wheelchair marathon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Full marathon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Capital Marathon is Canada\u2019s largest running event. Organized by the non-profit Run Ottawa, the event relies on over 2,000 volunteers, including a dedicated race committee and a team of staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101804\/ad_4nxef7b7fsg9uex55vphvwrg2yfwqjcwsokq1lep_ij4sc5qflrrric_bj0zfw1zsk3c2vsatvn1fhftixwf-uqpmq7lpaivh0ra2ubvx1uoxst9juikfurzkk_k1naxwabvrowkigakeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ottawas_Sports_Hall_of_Fame_Exhibition\"><\/span>Ottawa\u2019s Sports Hall of Fame Exhibition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2019, the Heritage Building at City Hall hosted an exhibition titled \u201cOttawa Marathon: 45 Years of Running.\u201d Visitors enjoyed a nostalgic journey through photos of legendary runners and pioneers of Ottawa\u2019s running community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exhibition highlighted the marathon\u2019s growth, from its humble beginnings to its current prominence. As Fred Pelletier, a marathon board member since 1995, stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This event is for everyone, and we all share in its success.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John Halvorsen, renowned for his athletic achievements and race records, also supported the exhibition, emphasizing its role in uniting the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101803\/ad_4nxeycupmzgijg35tbw1cpwreagu1yjnaug0mmm2hvzksupgjq_wxquwaqprwk251jpt1uhcyxt3v_vs4czehhruotbzdbbysxxi0i3i2l0gnpcqpo5egkhfd79tcv2tl6_o18frckakeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ottawas_Fastest_Woman_Becky_Peterson\"><\/span>Ottawa\u2019s Fastest Woman: Becky Peterson<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becky Peterson has become a local running legend. Encouraged by her parents, who paid her $5 for each sport she tried, Becky discovered her passion for running in university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, she earned first place among women at the Ottawa Marathon, securing her title for the second consecutive year. Becky\u2019s race strategies emphasize pace control, and she offers these tips for aspiring runners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enjoy the process: The key to success is finding joy in running.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistent practice: Improvement comes through regular training. Becky\u2019s long runs range from 1.5 to 2 hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set clear goals: A defined objective provides motivation during races.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appreciate your body\u2019s abilities: Regardless of your placement, finishing a race is a significant accomplishment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/01\/17101802\/ad_4nxc1bc2c0iydgt4q1r-eohbcyc1har74hhkfr_p8juptptb367nndfviwkjtswnny897e2hfdcnvt1sbvel0oomqlpk0kp2gqzzud66de76dfz2fgqjdwisjet5z9gcivg8_cnxgagkeym1izwptk4mewe-i8fi8tvoil.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Citywide_Celebration\"><\/span>A Citywide Celebration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many Ottawa families, the marathon has become a shared tradition, involving parents, children, and even grandparents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Capital Marathon means different things to different people\u2014competition for some, enjoyment and support for others. Ultimately, it is an event that unites the city, showcasing the community\u2019s shared passion for running and active living.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Capital Marathon is Canada\u2019s most popular multi-day running event. Each May, over 40,000 participants compete along Ottawa\u2019s picturesque routes. Discover the story of this remarkable event on iottawa.net. How It All Began The highly anticipated Ottawa Race Weekend, also known as the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend thanks to its sponsor Tamarack, Scotiabank, traditionally [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":526,"featured_media":13684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4820],"tags":[8177,8173,8182,8183,8179,8184,8174,8186,8170,8180,8169,8175,8187,8176,8181,8171,8178,8172],"moimportance":[501,656,31,32,35],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[83],"class_list":["post-14964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sporty","tag-45-years-of-running","tag-achievements","tag-becky-peterson","tag-charity-fundraiser","tag-event-unites-the-city","tag-exhibition","tag-family-sporting-event","tag-how-to-win","tag-marathon-distances","tag-national-capital-marathon","tag-ottawa-history","tag-ottawa-marathon","tag-ottawa-race-weekend-en","tag-ottawa-sports-hall-of-fame","tag-ottawas-fastest-woman","tag-records","tag-rick-ball","tag-sporty-ottawa","moimportance-recommended","moimportance-trending","moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","moimportance-golovna-novyna","moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","motype-eternal","moformat-longread-short"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/526"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14964"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14983,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14964\/revisions\/14983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14964"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=14964"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=14964"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=14964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}