2026 Run to Empower race recap

What an inspiring morning!

Run to Empower 2026 brought incredible energy to the Central Experimental Farm, with participants, volunteers, and supporters coming together to celebrate and advance women’s running in Canada.

Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, rolled, volunteered, and cheered. Your presence and support helped create an atmosphere that was welcoming, uplifting, and full of purpose from start to finish.

Before heading out on course, participants in the Run to Empower Open 5K were led through a pre-race warm-up by City of OM, setting the tone for a strong and positive start line experience.

There were standout performances across the morning, including a strong return from Julie-Anne Staehli, who took the win in Ottawa’s Fastest Women 5K with a time of 15:55. Staehli also claimed victory in 2025 with a 15:50 performance, setting the event record, and previously won in 2019 with a time of 16:53, continuing an impressive history at this event.

Throughout the event, there was plenty to explore on site. XACT Nutrition was on hand showcasing the latest in sports nutrition, while the RA Centre connected with participants about their running programs and girl and women-centred initiatives. SuzyQ Doughnuts kept things sweet with fresh doughnuts in both classic and creative flavours, and Lufa Farms shared a taste of their rooftop-grown produce. The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance also played an important role, educating participants about key risk factors and the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women.

Thanks to your generosity and participation in the Green Bib program, over $1,000 has been raised in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, helping to make a meaningful impact beyond race day.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, whose time, energy, and commitment make events like this possible. From start line to finish line and everywhere in between, your efforts brought the day to life.

Thank you as well to St. John Ambulance for their support in keeping participants safe throughout the event.

And of course, congratulations to everyone who participated. Strong efforts, first races, personal bests, and everything in between, it was all out there on course.

Awards and Results