Official Statement regarding the results of the 2025 Tartan Ottawa International Marathon and winner Albert Korir’s recent provisional suspension

Ottawa, January 12, 2026 – Run Ottawa, the organizers of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon, is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and athlete health in our events.

As part of our procedures for the 2025 Tartan Ottawa International Marathon, athletes competing in the event, including 1st place finisher Albert Korir, were subject to anti-doping controls conducted in accordance with international standards.

On June 18, 2025, Run Ottawa received the following communication from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) regarding the samples collected at the event:

“On behalf of the Athletics Integrity Unit, we are pleased to communicate that the analysis of the samples collected at the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon [25/05/2025] and analysed at the (Montreal) INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie WADA-accredited laboratory did not reveal the presence/use of substances/methods prohibited under the current WADA Prohibited List.”

These tests were performed by Sport Integrity Canada (formerly named CCES). 

Run Ottawa works closely with governing bodies and testing authorities to ensure that all competitions are conducted in a manner that is transparent, credible, and consistent with global anti-doping regulations. We remain focused on delivering a world-class event that reflects the values of the sport and the trust of our athletes, partners, and community.

Media contact:
Lisa Georges
media@runottawa.ca

Elite athlete contact:
Stephen Andersen
EliteProgram@runottawa.ca

About Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is Canada’s largest running and walking festival with six races, including the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon, Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins, Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa, Ottawa 5K and 2K presented by Runkeeper, and Ottawa Kids Marathon, as well as three multi-event challenges. Since its inception in 2015, the Desjardins Charity Challenge has raised more than $9.5 million for local and national charities through the Desjardins Charity Challenge.

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is the only running event in Canada to host a World Athletics Elite label marathon and is host to Athletics Canada’s Canadian 10K Championships. The weekend was named Event of the Year at the 2019 Canadian Tourism Awards. In 2020, its title sponsor Tamarack Homes won Sport Tourism Canada’s Canadian Sport Event Sponsorship Initiative of the Year Award.