Ottawa Running Diplomats Club Promotes Health and Camaraderie with 30+ Countries at Ottawa Race Weekend
The Ottawa Running Diplomats Club, comprised of members representing over thirty countries, is gearing up to participate in the upcoming Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. This unique club not only aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle but also seeks to connect international runners within a supportive network, engage with Canadian running enthusiasts, and take part in major running events in Ottawa.
Co-founded by Darius Skusevicius, the Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada, and Magdalena Pajewska-Lewandowska, a Polish diplomat, the Ottawa Running Diplomats Club emerged as a joint initiative between Poland and Lithuania. “The idea came up very naturally as we both were preparing for Ottawa Race Weekend in 2022. We sent out invitations for other Embassies in Ottawa and started our weekly runs,” Darius says.
The club has grown to over 80 members, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners from around the world.
This year, the club will have 30 members participating in Ottawa Race Weekend, from countries including Iceland, Poland, Indonesia, Hungary, Lithuania, the EU delegation, Mexico, Estonia, Finland, Belgium, Israel, Kenya, the United States, and Vatican City. They will compete in various races including the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon categories. While each runner has their own motivation, they all share the common goal of fostering a sense of community among Ottawa’s running enthusiasts and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
To prepare for the race, the club has enlisted the expertise of running coach Marsh Marsh, who’s also been involved in creating the National Health and Fitness Day Act with the goal of making Canada the fittest nation in the world
“I agreed to volunteer my time but in return I asked that the Ambassadors and their teams take that same message of health and fitness back to their respective countries in hopes that something similar could be established,” he says. “Participants include everyone from beginners to Ironman competitors and marathoners. The group runs weekly and is focused on the social aspects, that everyone has someone to run or walk with, and that we get out after to socialize.”
Marsh emphasizes the importance of starting with a run/walk program, maintaining a comfortable pace, and enjoying the sport. Beginning with 2-3 weekly sessions, individuals can gradually increase their training frequency to 3-5 times a week as they gain experience.
“I think the run/walk program is the ideal way to get started, keeping everything at conversation pace and comfortable. If folks can begin a sport and enjoy it, they will continue but if they have a bad experience or get injured they are just as likely to stop doing it. Proper footwear and clothing is crucial as it is for any sport, and having 1-2 friends that will undertake the journey together so you are always accountable and always have someone to train with,” he says. Marsh also encourages incorporating cross-training, weightlifting, core exercises, flexibility training, and adopting healthy sleep and nutrition habits for overall well-being.
Marsh is happy to see the race weekend gaining popularity again after COVID. “It’s always an exciting time in Ottawa, seeing tens of thousands of folks at the start then at the finish line is so exciting and gives me hope that people will be inspired to get moving as well.”
Notably, this year’s race includes world-renowned runners such as Cam Levins, who broke the North American marathon record and is coached by Jim Finlayson, a former world-class marathoner Marsh previously coached.
He reinforces you don’t need to run to be part of the experience. “I would encourage folks to come out both days to participate but also to be spectators on the route, to cheer on everyone from the Olympians to those doing an event for the first time, and to create fun signs to encourage them and to have fun being part of one of the biggest running festivals on the continent!”
For Darius, this will be his 15th marathon. Having previously completed Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend three times, he has also participated in marathons across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, and the Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill. “A marathon is a great way to challenge yourself and to be with yourself. It’s also a chance to show others that even if you are not an athlete, you still can participate and have lots of fun,” he says.
While running is at the heart of the Ottawa Running Diplomats Club, its mission extends beyond physical activity. “Last year, we all ran with T-shirts “Run for Ukraine”. If there will be a possibility to join this initiative this year, I will definitely be ready to promote Ukraine’s victory and support this country,” Darius says.