Running with purpose: Native Women Run at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2026

At this year’s Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, a group of Indigenous women will take to the start line carrying more than training and race-day goals. They bring with them a shared sense of purpose, community, and connection through Native Women Run.

Native Women Run, founded by Verna Volker, has grown into a global movement rooted in the idea of “Run the Land.” It creates space for Indigenous women to come together through running, with a focus on wellness, visibility, and strength. This year, that presence extends to Ottawa through a team of Canadian runners, including Jocelyn McIntosh, a member of the Otto’s Ottawa Power Crew who also serves as part of the Leadership Team of the organization. Volker shares that “Native Women Run is honoured to participate in Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend this year. Our involvement is about more than racing, it’s about building community, uplifting Native women in sport, and creating visibility in spaces where we have not always been represented. We’re excited to run together, support one another, and continue growing a movement grounded in strength, culture, and connection.” 

Their journey to race weekend is part of a larger project led in partnership with Dr. Chantelle Richmond’s Indigenous Health Lab at Western University. The initiative follows five Indigenous women as they prepare for the Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon, documenting what running means in their lives and how it connects to identity, health, and community.

Over several months, each participant is capturing her experience through interviews and self-recorded video journals. These reflections offer a personal look at training, resilience, and the everyday realities of preparing for a marathon. Filmmaker Greg De Souza is documenting key moments along the way, including race weekend itself, from pre-race gatherings to the finish line.

The result will be a short film created in collaboration with the runners, centred on their voices and owned collectively by the women involved. More than a record of a race, it will highlight Indigenous women as athletes, storytellers, and leaders within their communities.

For many, running spaces have not always felt inclusive or representative. This project aims to change that by making space for stories that are often underrepresented and by building a stronger sense of belonging within the sport. Their presence at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2026 is another meaningful step forward, adding to the growing diversity at the start line and reflects intentional action towards making running more accessible and inclusive for all.

As the big weekend approaches, this group of runners will arrive not only prepared to take on the course, but ready to share their journey. Together, they will cross the finish line carrying more than just the experience of a race, but the strength of community and the impact of being seen.

Be part of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and experience a race that brings together community, culture, and connection. Register now to join participants from across the country and be part of a start line that continues to grow more inclusive, representative, and powerful each year.