Exciting refresh announced for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend as 2020 registration opens
New marathon team relay event and distance challenge added; Scotiabank Ottawa Kids Marathon moves to Saturday on new family-friendly course
September 24, 2019 – Ottawa – Registration opens today for the 2020 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend with three exciting changes to Canada’s largest running festival:
- a new relay category in the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon;
- a new distance challenge for runners in the 2k, 5k and 10k events; and
- a new race day and course for the Scotiabank Kids Marathon
The Race Weekend refresh comes with the arrival of Ian Fraser, whose vision for Race Weekend includes delivering more options for runners. Fraser signed on as new Executive Director and Race Director on September 9th.
Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon Team Relay – Experience the iconic Ottawa marathon course with a team!
Starting in 2020, teams of 4 people will be able to run the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon as part of a new relay event—with each person taking on a part of the course.
“The new relay category will give a whole new class of runners the chance to experience the magnificence of this iconic course first-hand,” said Ian Fraser. “Until now, only those who could train for and run a full 42.2km could experience one the world’s most picturesque marathon courses.”
Bytown Challenge – Making the most of the Saturday!
Runners interested in a distance challenge will now have their pick between the Lumberjack Challenge (2K, 5K, 10k and marathon), the Voyageur Challenge (5K, 10K, and half-marathon), or the newly introduced Bytown Challenge (2K, 5K, 10K).
“There’s a trend in the running culture for people to challenge themselves by competing in multiple distances over a weekend,” said Fraser. “We believe this new challenge will allow participants to supersize their experience at race weekend.”
Scotiabank Ottawa Kids Marathon – New day, new family-friendly finish line!
The Scotiabank Kids Marathon traditionally staged on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. will now be moving to Saturday at 2:00 p.m., on a new course that will allow parents to watch their kids cross the finish line.
“The current finish line location was limiting parents’ ability to celebrate this huge accomplishment with their kids,” continued Fraser. “The new course ending on Laurier Street will enable them to watch with pride as their kids cross the finish line and give them that well-deserved hug or high five.”
Registration information
Details on the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon Team Relay, Bytown Challenge and Scotiabank Ottawa Kids Marathon, along with full pricing and registration information can be found at www.runottawa.ca.
The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place May 23-24, 2020.