Run Ottawa to organize annual Émilie’s Run starting in 2016

Ottawa, December 2, 2015 — Run Ottawa is pleased to announce it will take over the organization of the popular annual Émilie’s Run beginning in 2016. The competitive women-only 5K race will take place June 18, 2016.

The race, which started in 2005, was renamed Émilie’s Run in 2007 in memory of Émilie Mondor, an Olympian at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the first Canadian woman to run sub 15:00 for 5K. Mondor, who was born in Mascouche, Quebec, was killed in a car accident on September 9th, 2006, at the age of 25.

Émilie’s Run takes place on an Athletics Canada/Run Canada certified course. Since inception, the race has been draw for Canada and the world’s elite female runners, like New Zealand’s Mary Davies and Kenya’s Lucy Njeri Macharia. Canadian Rachel Hannah is the reigning two-time champion, and also set the course record of 15:57.5 in 2014.

“We’ve long wanted to organize an event that would be focused on women,” said John Halvorsen. “We’re honoured to be realizing this vision with a well-known event that has so much significance for women and the sport of running.”

Until now, the event has been organized by Ken Parker, a local running coach and one of the Ottawa Marathon’s founders. Parker first met Émilie Mondor at a news conference for the 2006 Ottawa Race Weekend. Later that year, she moved to Ottawa to train with him for the Beijing Olympics. Parker’s organization, Runners’ Web will be one of the race sponsors.

“I’m happy that to the race will keep going past my time and keep Émilie’s spirit in our memories,” said Parker.

For more information on the history of the event and to register, visit the race page.