World Marathon Major Champion Albert Korir Returns to the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon

2025 sees deepest marathon field since 2018

Ottawa, May 20, 2025 — Run Ottawa is proud to welcome elite Kenyan marathoner and 2023 New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir to the start line of the 2025 Tartan Ottawa International Marathon, taking place on May 25 during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025.

Korir, who captured victory in the 2019 edition of the Ottawa marathon with a time of 2:08:03, will return to Canada’s capital with his sights set on reclaiming the title and building on a career defined by consistency and championship excellence.

Since his win in Ottawa, Korir has cemented his reputation as one of the top marathoners in the world. Later in 2019, he finished second at the New York City Marathon (2:08:36), and in 2021, he returned to win it (2:08:22), claiming his first World Marathon Major title. He has continued to perform at the highest level, finishing second in New York again in 2023, where he ran a personal best of 2:06:57. Korir has also delivered strong results in Boston, placing among the top six three times, including a fourth-place finish in 2023 (2:08:01).

Known as one of the best championship racers of his generation, Korir brings global experience and proven performance to this year’s elite field, which is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the event’s 50 year history. His return adds further excitement to what is already expected to be a thrilling race through the streets of the national capital region.

Although the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon is officially sold out, spectators are encouraged to line the course and cheer on this world-class field, or subscribe to the Run Ottawa YouTube channel to catch the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon live from Canada’s capital. With this year’s elite field shaping up to be one to watch, you won’t want to miss a moment!

For more information on the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon and the full elite athlete field, visit 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.