6 Characters you encounter running in Ottawa

A light-hearted guide to surviving the multi-use pathways with your sanity (and stride) intact.

By: Bethany Dietz

The sun is shining, the ice on the Rideau Canal is glistening, and I am out for what should be a beautiful run. However, the running itself is proving more difficult than expected as the canal pathway I am on is packed with people! Ask any Ottawa runner and I am sure they will tell you that a necessary evil of running on a nice day is dealing with crowds. Ironically, the best part of running in Ottawa can also be the most daunting: the many kilometres of beautiful, pedestrian-filled pathways.

There are minimal rules on any pathway: keep right, pass on the left, don’t walk more than two abreast, and sound your bell when passing someone on a bike. They seem easy to follow, but a pathway on a sunny day, regardless of the season, can prove challenging. If you are a runner, I am willing to bet you have experienced this and been in my (running) shoes before. However, the paths are meant to be shared and used by everyone. Ottawa’s active population is actually one of my favourite parts about living in the Nation’s Capital.

So, instead of getting frustrated, I turn it into a game and categorize the people I encounter. Whether you are running across the scenic Alexandra Bridge, or pounding the pavement on the Aviation Parkway, I’m willing to bet you have met these characters: 

1. The Tourist – Beware! You can expect them around every monument, attraction, or slightly cool thing along your run route. They understandably want to see EVERYTHING, and that can distract them from their surroundings. Take extra precaution around the Byward Market, where they are known to flock for a Beavertail or two. Shout a strong “on your left!” before passing. Bonus points if you also say it in French, giving them the true Ottawa experience.

2. The Tour de France Cyclist – Dressed in their finest (read- flashiest) biking kit, you just know that they are on their way to bike a Gatineau Park Loop, or seven. Hug the right of the path, let them by, and enjoy the satisfying click of their freehub as they pass.

3. The Influencer – The most obvious giveaway here is a coordinated outfit and running shoes that are too crisp and clean to have seen many kilometres. But hey, who doesn’t love a new running fit! Filming or selfie capturing can happen at any moment, so you must stay alert if you want to avoid accidentally appearing in the background. Sunglasses are a great tool to hide your face in case of unintended cameos.

4. The Large Run Club – Like most run clubs, they started small but expanded quickly. They travel in herds and can usually be spotted by their neon shorts, tattoos, and enthusiasm. It may be easiest to just stand to the side and let them pass, you can even cheer them on (or join them)! 

5. The “Do I know That Person?” – I was shocked and impressed by how friendly the other runners are in Ottawa. If you make eye contact with someone as they pass, even briefly, you will most likely be rewarded with a smile, wave, or a peace sign of encouragement. It took me several months of running to realize that no, I don’t know that person, they are just happily embracing their run community.

6. The Canada Goose – Easily Canada’s most dangerous animal. They travel in gaggles and are constantly looking for a fight. No matter the season, there is no reprieve. Supposedly they fly South for the winter, but Ottawa’s geese seem to have adapted to stay in the Capital during the winter specifically to terrorize your runs. Don’t even get me started on geese in the Spring, when it’s probably safest to update your will before even attempting to run by them and their offspring. If there has to be one silver lining, it’s that no one will hit a PR quite like someone being chased by a goose – godspeed!

So, the next time you lace up your shoes and hit the paths, don’t think of it as just a run. It’s truly more of an obstacle course! Ottawa’s pathways may test your navigation skills, but sharing the pathway experience is something we all navigate together. And if you do manage to successfully dodge a tourist or outrun a goose, well then you have definitely become a true local legend.