Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend Information Page

Registration for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2026 is open! Take advantage of early bird pricing and register today!

2026 Race Schedule:

Saturday, May 23

Ottawa Kids Marathon – 2:00 p.m.

Ottawa 2K – 3:00 p.m.

Ottawa 5K– 4:00 p.m.

Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa  – 6:30 p.m.

Please note the elite women’s 10K begins at 6:15 pm

Sunday May 24

Tartan Ottawa International Marathon – 7:00 a.m.

Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins  – 9:00 a.m.

What’s Next? Explore Upcoming Events:

Make It Yours: Add-on Products Celebrate your race and take home something special! Add a commemorative shirt or personalize your medal with an iTAB—both great ways to mark your accomplishment.

To add products:

  • Log in to your Let’s Do This participant dashboard
  • Select your 2026 registration
  • Click “Manage Booking”  then “View or purchase add-ons“to add an event shirt, iTAB, or other available products

If you missed these options at registration, don’t worry, you can add them anytime before race weekend (while supplies last)!

Manage Your Registration Make sure everything is just right for race weekend by visiting your Let’s Do This participant dashboard. You can:

  • Update your predicted finishing time
  • Edit your email address
  • Add or update your emergency contact information

Your predicted finishing time determines your corral placement, corrals help organize runners at the start line based on pace, so everyone has a smoother, safer experience. If you’re hoping to start with a specific pacing group or want a different atmosphere, this is your chance to get it right. Participants who don’t adjust their times may be placed in a corral that doesn’t reflect their goal.

You can make updates to your registration until April 30, 2026.

Training going better than expected—or maybe life got in the way? You can transfer to a longer or shorter distance! This flexibility helps make race weekend work for you.

Distance Transfers:

  • Online distance changes must be completed by April 25, 2026
  • Available through your Let’s Do This dashboard, it’s self-serve
  • A $5 transfer fee applies when changing distances online
  • If you’re moving to a longer distance, you’ll pay the difference in entry fees
  • If you’re switching to a shorter distance, no refund of the fee difference is provided.
  • After April 25, these transfers can be done at the Running and Fitness Expo, and the cost will be $25 plus taxes and booking fees.

Transferring to Another Person:

If you can no longer participate, you can transfer your bib to someone else in person at the Running and Fitness Expo. Online transfers are not currently available.

To complete a transfer:

  • Forward your bib number and/or QR code email to the new participant. QR codes and bib numbers will be assigned the week of the event and sent via email to all registered participants.
  • The new participant picks up your bib and any add-ons
  • The new participant brings the bib to the Let’s Do This Solutions Desk at the Expo to officially complete the transfer

Transfer Fee: $25 + tax + booking fee (payable at the Solutions Desk)

Transfers ensure medical and emergency contact info is up to date, please don’t skip this step.

Fundraising Fundraising for a cause that matters to you is one of the most meaningful parts of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

Make every step count—and feel good doing it.

Age Guidelines Run Ottawa follows Athletics Canada age guidelines for road races:

  • Marathon: 18+
  • Half Marathon: 16+
  • 10K: 14+
  • Youth participation in shorter distances is permitted within published age ranges.

Please visit Athletics Canada’s Guidelines for the Inclusion of Children and Youth in Road Races for full details.

  • Accessibility and Adaptive Athletes Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend welcomes athletes of all abilities.

    • Adaptive athletes register through the main registration platform, and indicate their accessibility needs in registration.
    • On the first Friday of every month, an email will be sent to all participants who have indicated they are adaptive athletes. This email will include a unique link that allows your guide or support runner to register for complimentary entry into Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
    • Adaptive athletes and support runners will have a designated table at the Running and Fitness Expo for race bib pickup. Exact location to be announced.
  • May I bring my service dog or are guides available?
    • Service dogs are welcome on the course in accordance with the law. However, if you feel the weather may be too hot for your service dog, we encourage adaptive athletes to consider using a guide/support runner instead.
    • You can leverage the promo code you received after registering under the adaptive athlete program to register a guide runner at no cost. This way, you can ensure the safety of your service dog while still having the support you need, saving your pup’s paws from the hot asphalt in exchange for a guide runner in sneakers!

Questions, feedback, or requests for accommodations can be directed to: Danielle.Avery@RunOttawa.ca

Payment Plans and Registration

1. Can I use a payment plan to pay for my entry? Yes! With our registration platform, Let’s Do This, participants can opt into a 0% interest payment plan to spread the cost of their entry over five payments.

Important Details:

  • The final payment must be made by May 1, 2026
  • If all payments are not completed by this date, your registration will be cancelled and you will be removed from the event

2. How do I sign up for a payment plan? During the registration process, you’ll have the option to select the payment plan. The system will automatically calculate your installment amounts and schedule payments for you.

3. What happens if I miss a payment? If a scheduled payment fails, you’ll receive a notification with instructions to resolve the issue. If payments aren’t updated after this notification, your registration will be cancelled.

Refunds and Insurance We understand that life happens—injuries occur, and sometimes race weekend just isn’t in the cards.

If you purchased registration insurance, you can file a claim directly through your Let’s Do This dashboard:

  • Scroll to the bottom of your dashboard to find a box titled Refundable Registration
  • In that box, you’ll see a link to start the claim process
  • Insurance is only available during registration, and terms and conditions apply

The process is quick, convenient, and fully self-serve. Need more help? Visit this page!
While we’re always here to help, the fastest way to resolve insurance questions is through your dashboard.

To check if you purchased insurance:

Please note: refunds or deferrals are not offered by Run Ottawa on Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend registrations.

Additional Race Day Questions

Can I run with a stroller or use a backpack child carrier?

  • Strollers and baby joggers are only permitted in the Ottawa 2K at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
  • Backpack child carriers are not allowed on any race course for safety reasons.
  • Strollers are always welcome at the Run Ottawa Saturday Series, where children participate for free!

Can I run with my dog?

  • Dogs, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in any of the events. If you’d like to enjoy a race with your dog, consider participating in the Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run, a dog-friendly event hosted by the Ottawa Humane Society! It’s a great way to bring your pup to the start line.

Can I wear headphones?

  • Yes, but for safety and awareness, we strongly recommend leaving them out or keeping volume low.

Is there a walk category?

  • Absolutely, many participants choose to walk, speed walk, or pole walk as part of their Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend experience. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace. Simply select the walking option during registration, and your results will be listed with fellow walkers in your chosen event. We’re proud to support a race environment that celebrates every kind of movement.

Do any of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend distances have time limits?

  • Marathon participants are expected to reach the 26km marker by 11:30 a.m. If they have not, they may be redirected to the finish line. Marathon participants are expected to complete the race within 7 hours.
  • Half marathon participants are expected to complete the event within 4 hours.

Volunteer Opportunities Not racing this year but still want to be part of the excitement? Join the incredible community of volunteers who help bring Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend to life.

The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend experience wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers. Whether you’re passionate about running or just want to be part of the action, we welcome you to join our team. High school students can also take part and complete the volunteer hours required for graduation.

Volunteer sign-up will be open early 2026!

Virtual Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
The virtual event will not be offered in 2026. We look forward to seeing you in-person as we come together as a community.