Six Ottawa Running Routes to Help You Train for Your Next Race
Whether you are training for the marathon, training for a 10K, or training for a 5K, finding the right running route is key to meeting your running goals. There are many factors that go into choosing a running route in Ottawa: distance, location, how busy it is, even how plowed it is in the winter. One of the most reliable ways to choose the right route is to ask other runners, that’s what makes running app sites like Strava so popular.
To help our runners train for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend we asked some Run Ottawa members and local runners to provide us with their favourite running routes. These routes range from Westboro to Gatineau and cover distances from 6K to 15K.
We’d love to share your favourite Ottawa running routes too! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and show us your favourite places in to run in our city, we’ll be sure to reshare them – we might even add them to this list!
6K: A Warm Up Run Through Wellington West
Wellington West resident Hieu Nguyen provided this breezy 6K running route which is equal parts scenic and urban – and even less busy since the opening of the LRT reduced OC Transpo busses on Scott Street.
8.5K: The Westboro-Ottawa River Running Loop
Westboro runner Jeff Riggs has his choice of great running routes through his neighbourhood, though the backdrop of the Ottawa River is his favourite. This medium distance running loop covers a bit of both worlds.
10K: Run the Rideau River in Old Ottawa East
From Boston qualifier Jesse Blondin comes this beautiful and relatively quiet running route that leaves from and returns to Old Ottawa East along the Rideau River.
11K: Run Along Two of Ottawa’s Waterways
This running route is a favourite staple for Glebe runner Jane Spiteri and her Sunday Run Club which takes them along the Canal, to Hog’s Back and then through Vincent Massey Park.
13K: A Running Route that Bridges Ottawa and Gatineau
We’ll let Gatineau runner Terry SanCartier tell you about this one: “I call it the Champlain Bridge Loop — I alternate the direction from time to time but usually start on the Ontario side of the river. The Quebec side of this route is not flat and is good training for races with uneven terrain. I enjoy this loop as it is generally less congested than the paths along the canal in the summer months — especially on the Quebec side.”
15K: The Best of Rockliffe in One Running Route
Ashley Kokelj, organizer of Run to Beer, is as passionate about her New Edinburgh neighbourhood as she is about running. This running loop shows off both of her passions.
What Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend event are you training for? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Haven’t signed up yet? Here’s your chance to register.