A statement on this past weekend’s destructive storm

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend participants:

We hope that everyone finds themselves safe and sound after the storm that hit Ontario and Quebec and other parts of Canada this past weekend. Our thoughts are with those who were and are still affected by the destructive events.

We are grateful to city staff and crews, all first responders, Hydro Ottawa, and Hydro Quebec for their diligence and action post-storm, and for all that they continue to do during the ongoing challenges our cities face.

We are working with the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau to ensure we can go ahead with Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend on May 28-29 as planned. As it stands right now, there will be no course changes, and the races will start at their originally scheduled times. Should things change, we will share information as soon as possible. 

While we are planning to proceed, there are still thousands of people affected by the storm, and we have an opportunity to help! 

Charities, like the Ottawa Food Bank, are stepping up once again to support our communities in need. You can show your support by donating to them or any of our other Desjardins Charity Challenge participating organizations.

If every participant donated $20.00 to a participant or charity in the Desjardins Charity Challenge, together we could raise an additional $500,000 for our communities. $20.00 is all it takes. If you can, please choose a participant or charity to donate to now.

In addition, there is still time to run and fundraise for a cause you believe in by joining the Desjardins Charity Challenge as part of your Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend experience. Learn how here.

We also want to remind and reassure all our participants of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend’s Emergency preparedness. Run Ottawa has systems in place for meteorological events such as this past weekend’s storm, and we’re working with KSMI Weather to closely monitor weather events for next weekend. PLEASE take the time to read and familiarize yourselves with on-course emergency protocols for your own safety and the safety of others.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding at this time.

Ian Fraser

Race Director, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend