Wodak vs. Elmore: Canadian Distance Legends Set for a Showdown at the Ottawa 10K

Ottawa, April 8, 2025 – The stage is set for an epic battle at the Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa, as two of Canada’s most celebrated distance runners, Natasha Wodak and Malindi Elmore, go head-to-head for the Athletics Canada 10K Canadian Championship title on Saturday, May 24 2025. 

With both athletes boasting Olympic experience, national records, and decades of dominance across distances from the track to the marathon, this high-stakes duel promises to be one for the ages.

Wodak, Canada’s marathon record holder and 2020 Olympian, is known for her blistering speed over the 10K distance and a deep history of championship victories. Elmore, a two-time Olympian, and the former Canadian marathon record holder, who made a remarkable transition from middle-distance track racing to the marathon, will be defending her 2024 10K championship title against 2023 champion Wodak. With neither athlete backing down, fans can expect a fierce and strategic contest on the Ottawa 10k’s fast and scenic course.

 

Tale of the tape

Personal bests

Distance Natsha Wodak Malindi Elmore
5km road 15:36 (2019) 15:40 (2007)
10km road 31:59 (2015) 32:35 (2023)
Half marathon road 1:09:41 (2020) 1:10:11 (2023)
Marathon 2:23:12 (2022) 2:23:30 (2023)

 

Recent Race Results:

  • June 2024: At the Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Winnipeg, Wodak secured first place with a time of 1:12:56, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Elmore, who took second place with a time of 1:13:09.
  • May 2024: Wodak and Elmore faced off for the title of Canadian 10K Champion at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2024, with Elmore placing first with a time of 32:50 and Wodak finishing third with a time of 33:21.
  • September 2022: Wodak set a new Canadian marathon record at the Berlin Marathon, finishing in 2:23:12.

 

Although both athletes have impressive careers, Wodak holds the current edge in recent performances and national records.

“Malindi and Natasha are two of the best distance runners in Canadian history,” says Stephen Andersen, Run Ottawa’s Elite Athlete Coordinator. “Their longevity, durability and range are impressive and almost inconceivable. We are super excited to welcome both of them back to the Otto’s Ottawa 10K and for another epic battle. We know both athletes will return to Ottawa hungry to win another Canadian title and continue to chase that long-time Canadian record.”

The Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa is part of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada’s largest and most popular multi-day running festival, drawing elite competitors and thousands of enthusiastic spectators. With national titles and World Athletics rankings points on the line, the energy on race day will be electric.

Who will take the podium ? Will Wodak’s speed and 10K experience prove decisive, or will Elmore’s endurance and tactical racing prevail? The only way to find out is to watch the battle unfold live at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend on Run Ottawa’s youtube channel.

For more information and to register, please visit the official website at www.runottawa.ca.

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 & Ottawa 2K, and Ottawa Kids Marathon, as well as three multi-event challenges. In 2024, runners and walkers in the event raised a record-breaking $1,132,150.21 for local and national charities through the Desjardins Charity Challenge.

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is one of two running events in Canada to host a World Athletics 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, and in 2020, its title sponsor Tamarack Homes won Sport Tourism Canada’s Canadian Sport Event Sponsorship Initiative of the Year Award. 

The 2025 edition of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place May 24-25. For more information or to register, visit www.runottawa.ca.

Athletics Canada

Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for track and field, para athletics, cross-country, and road, mountain, and trail running. Its purpose is to support high performance athletics excellence at the world level, and to provide leadership in developmental athletics. Athletics Canada is a not for profit, charitable organization operating under a board of directors elected by provincial / territorial members. https://athletics.ca/