Green Initiatives

Run Ottawa is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its events through thoughtful planning, responsible partnerships, and continuous improvement. From race operations to participant experience, sustainability is integrated into how our events are delivered, with a focus on minimizing waste, supporting community initiatives, and making more environmentally conscious choices each year.

United Nations Sports for Climate Action Initiative

As the organizers of Canada’s largest running event — Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend —  we are committed to implementing sustainable practices that reduce the environmental footprint of our events. Run Ottawa is a participant in the Sports for Climate Action Initiative, part of the United Nations Global Climate Action Plan.Participants in this initiative commit to five key principles, integrating them into their strategies, policies, and operations, while promoting environmental responsibility across the broader sport community.

Here are several additional areas where Run Ottawa is making a positive environmental impact:

Green Bib Program

Run Ottawa offers a Green Bib option at registration for those wishing to reduce their environmental footprint while giving back to their community. When participants register for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, they can choose this option to direct a portion of their registration fee to a charity of their choice within the Desjardins Charity Challenge, in lieu of receiving a medal. For all other Run Ottawa events, participants can also select the Green Bib option, where a portion of their registration fee is donated to that event’s designated charity partner instead of receiving a medal.

In 2025, more than $43,000 was raised through the Green Bib program.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

  • Run Ottawa continues to expand its efforts in recycling and waste reduction across Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and all its other events by evaluating and reevaluating the recyclability of all event materials year after year.Emballages Carrousel will supply 300,000 non-PE coated, recyclable and compostable 8 oz drink cups.
  • All cups used at on-course water stations are recycled, and waste stations at event sites are equipped to collect organics, paper, and plastics.. Run Ottawa also works closely with partners, including XACT Nutrition, to ensure packaging meets compostable or recyclable standards. In previous years, single-use non-recyclable sponges were distributed on course to help participants cool down. Since 2022, these have been eliminated and replaced with reusable microfiber towels, which are collected at water stations and the finish line, then washed and reused.
  • Race medals are recycled post race if there are any left over. We aim to keep this number as close to distribution as possible.
  • Event shirts are now offered as an optional add-on and are made from recycled materials.
  • Clothing discarded at the start line and leftover food from the post-race recovery area are donated to local shelters. In addition, bags have been eliminated from all race kit pick-ups, reducing unnecessary waste.
  • Where possible, water used during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is sourced locally from nearby homes and public buildings to reduce reliance on transported water and single-use plastic bottles.

Transportation

By hosting Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend in the downtown core, Run Ottawa encourages participants and spectators to walk, cycle, or use OC Transpo. O-Train Lines 1 and 2 will be open at 5:00 am on Sunday, May 24 to help get people to the start line of the Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon. The start lines, finish areas, and Running and Fitness Expo are all easily accessible via transit and Ottawa’s multi-use pathways. 

Electric buses are also used during the Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon course tour.

Community Initiatives

At Run to Empower 2025, Run Ottawa partnered with EnviroCentre to pilot the use of reusable cups at water stations, replacing single-use cups. This community-driven initiative was supported by the City of Ottawa through the Community Environmental Projects Grant Program.

With 400 participants, the pilot was a success, keeping more than 600 single-use plastic cups out of landfill from a single event.

Footwear 4 Kids

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend partners with local organization Footwear 4 Kids to collect and redistribute running shoes for both youth and adults.

Participants can bring gently used footwear to the Running and Fitness Expo during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Footwear 4 Kids works with local organizations to ensure these donations reach children, youth, and families in need.

Over the past four years, more than 4,000 pairs of shoes have been collected, helping provide footwear to hundreds of children and youth in the Ottawa community.

 

Run Ottawa continues to build on these initiatives each year, recognizing that meaningful change comes through consistent effort and collaboration. These efforts are made possible through the support of participants, partners, and the broader running community, with a shared goal of creating race experiences that are both impactful and environmentally responsible.