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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 171 to 181]
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S. M. from New York, USA
(11/3/2003)
"Great first marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and after running it I am convinced it will not be my last. Ottawa in the spring is beautiful, and the course was not only through the city but along a canal and through gardens and parks as well, so you got to see everything in bloom. The course is flat and fast, perfect for a first marathon. The crowds were a little thin, but the mass of people at the end was great to come home to. The expo was good (lots of free stuff), and the best part was getting to meet Frank Shorter, who was there as a speaker. One thing I will never do again: sleep in a tent the night before the race to save money. Bad idea! Conclusion: Go to Ottawa. It is wonderful. | |
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Derek Boutang from Winnipeg
(9/27/2003)
"The PR says it all" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Unlike some others, I LIKE the double-loop course and was a little disappointed to hear they're changing it in 2004. The weekend has a lot of events, but it's a testament to the organizers' efforts that they run seamlessly together. The high and low points in my race happened at mile 26 with the finish line in sight. As I plodded along, there was a great roar from the crowd and people jumped to their feet. Strengthened by the incredible crowd support, I brightened up considerably and was a little overwhelmed by the noise. Gee, all these people cheering for me. Suddenly, this guy chasing two motorcycles blew past me like I was going backwards. It wasn't until later in the recovery area that I realized I had been caught by the half marathon winner (who started 13 miles and an hour behind me). Oh well, better luck (and a faster pace) next year. | |
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d. g. from Toronto, Ontario
(9/25/2003)
"Excellent event" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event got me hooked on marathon running. Good expo, great on-course support, nice shirt. I loved the double-loop course as a first-time marathoner struggling to finish, since you have milestones toward the end that you recognize from the first loop. Alas, the double-loop is no more, but I'm sure it won't be a challenge for organizers to find a gorgeous running route in this green city. | |
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An avid local runner from Toronto
(5/29/2003)
"Doesn't get much better than this" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This event has everything for everyone --- a 2K, 5K, 10K, half and full marathon, plus inline skating, wheelchair and walking events. This is truly Canada's premier running event. My only complaint was the crowd --- the finish area was congested, and a long line to get water after a marathon is not good! As well, some walkers from the 5k got in the way of the marathoners and 2k runners --- but this can easily be fixed. Besides, only a really great event can attract roughly 20,000 people in one weekend. I'm from Toronto, and I only wish that our city could embrace a marathon the same way Ottawa does with the NCM. | |
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Douglas Harpel from Arlington, Virginia
(5/19/2003)
"Great Race in a Beautiful City" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Ottawa Citizen National Capital Marathon was my fourth marathon and I found it to be a well organized and executed race. Runner support from race organizers and tons of volunteers (both during the race and at the finish) were excellent and appreciated. The double-loop, largely flat, city-street course was beautiful (if redundant!) and crowd support was strong, particularly at the middle/end of the race. Live music was particularly uplifting. Aside from the déjà vu of the double-loop ('I've been here before and I enjoyed it more the first time!'), the only 'problem' with the course was the lack of race clocks. I was also a bit taken aback when I received my 'SARS' facemask two weeks prior to the race! (I will display it with the nice finisher's medal.) Great event overall. I would recommend the NCM to other marathoners -- new and experienced -- particularly if the double-loop is eliminated. | |
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A. T. from Toronto, Canada
(5/16/2003)
"Wonderful first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Pros: Good H2O and Gatorade stations Nice fan support Very fast and scenic course Good expo (if a bit too crowded) Great medal and socks Affordable and nice city Cons: A little crowded after the race I heard stations ran out for late runners Race shirt color | |
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C. S. from Canada
(5/15/2003)
"Loved it- coming back next year!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 7th marathon, and I enjoyed the actual running of it the best of all.(even over Disney!) I didn't think I'd like the 2 loop course, but I actually preferred it, as I knew exactly where I was on the 2nd loop, making it seem shorter. It felt like it was downhill most of the time, although I know this can't be. The crowds were a bit thin on the first loop, but picked up for the second and were excellent for the last 5k. I had trouble with the first water station on both loops- no cups filled and no volunteers in sight, but the rest were satisfactory. The only down side was the half marathon people catching up to me and passing- Iwas elbowed fairly hard by some old guy that passed me. I imagine it must have been more frustrating for them weaving in and out of the marathoners. All in all I loved the course and the finish line crowd and will be back. | |
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M. S. from Toronto, ON
(5/14/2003)
"What a way to start!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great first marathon. I knew when picking up my race kit was efficient and I was greeted by friendly volunteers that this would be a good race. The double loop was good and bad. Great because I knew exactly where I was, but bad because tons of 1/2 marathoners flew by just as I was hitting the 36k wall. But hey, with those tulips, that canal - how could you not finish. Fantastic! The fans were fantastic. They way out from the core of the city also. Thanks Ottawa. I was only three minutes off my goal, and I have myself to blame for that - must learn to pace! But what a way to start. Ottawa you've got me hooked on marathons! Job well done! | |
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Nurup Naimji from Toronto, On.
(5/14/2003)
"can this race get any better?" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Ottawa Marathon is the benchmark that should be used for other running events in Canada. Fluids were in abundance, smiles were plentiful, and vaseline, sponges, gels, markers, guidance, and first aid could not be missed. I felt reassured that had I pushed myself and something had gone wrong, there would have been ample resources available. The course was great and the vounteers were amazing. There is just nothing that went wrong... ooooh, but why after running 3:28:44 for my first marathon would the sponsor at PowerBar make people spin a wheel before they were given something to eat. Have any of these fools ever run a marathon?? In addition to the race being exceptionally organized, Ottawa is an amazing city to visit. Coming from Toronto, I was quite mesmorized by the city. There is much to see and experience, all within walking distance of all major hotels. Thanks citizens of Ottawa for having us in your city!!! | |
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A. K. from Boston, USA
(5/14/2003)
"Excellent race for first-timers" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I couldn't have chosen a better race. The course is flat, with just enough rolling hills to break things up. Doing two loops of the same route was psychologically a little challenging, but I understand that the organizers are working on a single loop course for next year. Overall, the organization was excellent -- kit pick-up was easy, and the race itself started right on time at 8:00 am. Furthermore, the finish line area was handled very efficiently. Course support was great -- plenty of water stops and "porta-potties", tons of live music along the way, and terrific fan support in both English and French. A wide field of participants, but not so many that it felt too crowded. Pace bunnies were a great idea, and I only wish I'd stuck with mine consistently! Distance markers were all in km's, which made it a little difficult to pace for those of us who 'run in miles'. It also seemed a little odd that there were no clocks at all along the course -- only one person at the 20 km mark calling out times and projecting possible finish times. I used my watch to pace myself, but it would have been nice to have at least a couple of clocks out there. I wouldn't hesitate running this one again, and highly recommend it, especially for first-time marathoners. Great job! |
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