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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: 194 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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K. W. from Toronto, ON
(11/5/2004)
"Absolutely Great Event!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first half marathon - and what a great experience! Although I trained through the winter, and was surprised with a very warm run day, I found this to be an enjoyable course with great spectatorship and support throughout! For anyone who is looking for a great first event, I highly recommend this race. The course is relatively flat with beautiful scenery. Although the start line was very crowded (and it added about 2 minutes to my 1K split time), it is quite easy to pick up time and finish respectably. | |
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d. g. from toronto, canada
(10/29/2004)
"this year just the 1/2" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year I ran the half-marathon, having done the full (my first) here in 2002. If this is not the best running event in Canada, I'm missing a great race somewhere. I can't comment on the new full course since it is different from when I ran in '02, but the organization was as smooth as I'd remembered and the fans were very supportive at the end of the course where you need them most. Ottawa is a spectacularly beautiful city and there is just a very positive vibe about this race weekend. Run here if you can. | |
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D. C. from Mississauga, ON
(6/10/2004)
"Great First Half Marathon" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first half marathon and it was a wonderful experience. The city is great and the course was first-rate with beautiful scenery. As great as the course was the organization was even better. The major hotels were within a five-minute walk to the start/finish line. There are also free shuttles to take you from City Hall to Carleton University to get your number/information, etc. Even the weather co-operated. My only minor issue was I wish there were some more bands to help pass the time along. The finisher's medal is first-rate and there were TONS of bagels, fruit, yogurt, Gatorade, etc. at the finish line and lots of water/Gatorade and sponge stations along the route - food, drink and toilets are not an issue with this race AT ALL. This is an excellent first-timers course and I would highly recommend it. | |
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F. L. from Montreal
(6/10/2004)
"No doubt about it!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Simply the best Canadian marathon. Ottawa is a city blessed with many wonderful sights and the NCM's course takes advantage of that fact. The end result is a relatively flat course that takes you successively through national landmarks, urban landscape, posh residential areas, serene parks and of course along the beautiful Rideau Canal. But that is only half of the experience. The NCM is a superb organization that masters every important detail that makes up a great marathon experience. Non-chaotic expo, effective distance marking, efficient water/Gatorade stations and a well-controlled finishing area. The volunteers are cheerful and there are plenty of mobile medical staff and aid stations. I would say that there is only one thing the NCM organization does not have under its control (apart from the weather): crowd support :-) . One way to put it about supporters: 'THEY ROCK !' From the simple 'high-five stations' by toddlers to the sustained roar of the crowd that can be heard from the 41K mark, there are a lot of touching gestures and kind words intended for each runner, whether you're a sub-3:00 veteran or a first-timer. Yes, this is truly one great marathon. | |
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G. O. from Montreal Quebec Canada
(6/6/2004)
"Top-notch with little room for improvement" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 PROS: - People of Ottawa are friendly. - Hotels well situated near the start - I left 20 min. before the start. - Fan support 2nd half when you NEED IT. Fans make you feel like a star. - Gatorade/water tables well-staffed. CONS: - Had to search for my medal. - Recovery area a little chaotic. - Race pick-up not near city core... WHY? All in all, I recommend this marathon. Such a clean, friendly city - Ottawa rocks. | |
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Tristin Pearce from Toronto, Canada
(6/4/2004)
"Best day of my life!!!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Ottawa Marathon and it was honestly one of the greatest days of my life. The course was beautiful, the spectators were amazing and the messages written on their signs were inspiring, the other runners were so encouraging and nice, the course was well organized, drink stations were at the perfect locations, the cold wet sponges were glorious, etc. Everything was perfect! Even the Web site is awesome and I am still talking to people on the message board weeks after the marathon. Thinking about the marathon, running across the finish line, and the countless touching things I saw still bring tears to my eyes. | |
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A. N. from New York, USA
(6/4/2004)
"The race was superb" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with other comments that this was the best organized race I have ever run. I didn't even mind the quiet parts of the course because they made the designated cheering areas all the more uplifting. The crowds at the finish were fantastic. | |
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Geoff Martin from Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada
(6/3/2004)
"Great to run in our capital" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well done guys. This race was great. Good expo, very easy to get your race kits. Magnificent and scenic course. Running into Quebec and along the Rideau Canal were outstanding. Being Canadian and running in our capital you get the sense of what this great country of ours is all about. So many wonderful buildings to see. Loved the restaurants and the Irish pubs in the Byward Market. Nice to wake up at a sensible hour, walk out the hotel door and run the race. All in all the organizers did us proud. Thank you, and merci to our Francophone friends. No matter where in the great land of Canada you come from the Running Room, Grant and Kenaston, Winnipeg rock. | |
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B. S. from Toronto
(6/3/2004)
"What a great time in Ottawa" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)s
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running this marathon, and this year was even better than before. The cheering, the organization, the scenic route, and beautiful Ottawa were all well worth the run. I think the organizers handled the huge increase this year really well. I'll be back. | |
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Mileage Man from Chicago
(6/3/2004)
"Put this on your list" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ottawa Marathon (National Capital Race Weekend)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Thanks to all the volunteers, staff, race director, and citizens of Canada, for a terrific weekend. Ottawa is a beautiful city and race weekend was superb. I have done 14 different marathons and I would rate this one as tied for the best (w/ Twin Cities). The expo was fine, the bus tour of the course was informative and a fun time. The start/finish line was very well organized. The course was beautiful. The volunteers were well prepared, and the tables stocked with Gatorade, water, gel. Fanfare was somewhat sporadic, but those out were participating in cheering us on. The last few KM's were lined with folks cheering. The weather was perfect. The dry release shirt excellent, and the medal pretty cool. I would not hesitate one instant to run this one again or recommend it to everyone. Speed demons can certainly BQ here as the hills are very managable. Do this race, you'll have a great time. |
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