Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend Information Page

Registration is now open for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025!


2025 Race Weekend Schedule

All races start at Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Ave. W, Ottawa)

Saturday, May 24

Ottawa Kids Marathon– 2:00 p.m.

Ottawa 2K – 3:00 p.m.

Ottawa 5K   – 4:00 p.m.

Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa  – 6:30 p.m.

Please note the elite women’s 10K begins at 6:15 pm

Sunday May 25

Tartan Ottawa International Marathon – 7:00 a.m.

Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins  – 8:30 a.m.


Race Kit Pick-Up

  • To be announced

Frequently Asked Questions

I’d like to order a t-shirt to commemorate my 2025 experience, but I didn’t see it in the registration?
Event t-shirts for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025 are currently in the design phase. Registered participants will receive an email once the designs are finalized, along with an option to purchase the t-shirt.

Stay tuned, and thank you for making Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025 part of your event planning!

Can I get a refund if I’m injured or unable to attend Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025?
Refunds are available only through cancellation insurance, which must be purchased during registration via Race Roster. View FanShield’s policy coverage by following this link.

Where can I find hotels offering preferred pricing for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend participants?
Visit our hotel partner page for a list of participating hotels. Book early, as these fill up quickly.

Are there age discounts?
Youth, ages 3-18, receive an automatic 20% off registration fees at checkout. Children ages 0-2 (with a stroller) are free and permitted only in the Ottawa 2K, and must be registered as participants. Age discounts are based on age on race day.

Age Guidelines for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025

Run Ottawa follows the guidelines set by Athletics Canada regarding developing runners.

  • The Tartan Ottawa International Marathon is restricted to participants 18 years and older.
  • The Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins is restricted to participants 16 years and older.
  • The Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s is restricted to participants 14 years and older.
    Please visit this link to read the Guidelines for the Inclusion of Children and Youth in Road Races from Athletics Canada, including age restrictions for the 10K, half marathon, and marathon.

What is the Green Bib program, and how is it different from in-person participation?
Green Bib registrations are available for both in-person and virtual participants. Those in the Green Bib program do not receive a medal when crossing the finish line. Instead, part of their registration fees goes to a charity of their choice.

For virtual participants in the Green Bib program, you will receive a digital race bib. Only items purchased during registration will be mailed to you. Participants in the Green Bib program will not receive a medal.


How can I personalize my medal?
You can order an iTAB that fits perfectly onto the ribbon of your Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend medal. It’s engraved with your name and finish time, making it a great way to celebrate your achievement. At this time,  iTABs are available only during the registration process for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025.

Your personalized iTAB will be mailed to you within one month after your 2025 race.


Fundraising Questions
I noticed that over $1M was raised for charity in 2024, how can I fundraise for my favourite charity?
Here are some simple steps to get started:

  1. Select a charity from the official charities listed in the 2025 Desjardins Charity Challenge during registration.
  2. To join the challenge as a registered participant, log in to your Race Roster dashboard. Select Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025 from your events dropdown list and choose “View Registration.” This will take you to your profile, where you’ll find the Fundraising “Edit Page” button. The “Edit Page” button will take you to your personal fundraising page, where you can select your charity and personalize your fundraising page.
    OR
    From the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend page, select “Donate to a Participant,” enter your name, and select the blue “Donate” button to go to your personal page. There will be an option to edit your page on the right-hand side. You will need to be logged into Race Roster to access it.
  3. Set up your personal fundraising page on Race Roster. You can share photos and tell the story of your connection with your charity. Sharing the link through email or social media makes it easy for your friends and family to donate.

Volunteer Questions

This isn’t my year to participate in Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend but I’d like to volunteer! How do I become a volunteer?
The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend experience is only possible because of the generosity of valued volunteers. Volunteer online sign-up will be available in early 2025!

High school students are welcome to join us to help fulfill their volunteer hours needed for graduation.


Race Day Questions

What accommodations have you made to ensure an accessible event for adaptive athletes?
Please visit the Adaptive Athlete program page on the Run Ottawa website for details on adaptive athlete registration. We are working with adaptive athletes to ensure a seamless race day experience for all participants. Feedback from adaptive athletes is always welcome and can be directed to Danielle.Avery@RunOttawa.ca.

Service dogs are welcome on the course in accordance of the law. However, if you feel the weather may be too hot for your service dog, we encourage adaptive athletes to consider using a guide/support runner instead.
You can leverage the promo code you received after registering under the adaptive athlete program to register a guide runner at no cost. This way, you can ensure the safety of your service dog while still having the support you need—saving your pup’s paws from the hot asphalt in exchange for a guide runner in sneakers!

Can I push a stroller during my race? Can I use a backpack child carrier on any of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend courses?
With the exception of the Ottawa 2K, baby joggers and strollers are not permitted. Backpack child carriers are not permitted on any Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend courses.
Strollers are always welcome at the Run Ottawa Saturday Series, where children participate for free!

Can I run with my dog?
Dogs, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in any of the events. If you’d like to enjoy a race with your dog, consider participating in the Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run, a dog-friendly event hosted by the Ottawa Humane Society! It’s a great way to bring your pup to the start line.

Can I run with headphones?
While the use of headphones is permitted on the course, they are not recommended.

Do any of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend distances have time limits?

  • Marathon participants are expected to reach the 26km marker by 11:30 a.m. If they have not, they may be redirected to the finish line. Marathon participants are expected to complete the race within 7 hours.
  • Half marathon participants are expected to complete the event within 4 hours.

Will there be walk categories for the virtual and in-person events?
Yes! Many participants choose to walk, speed walk, or pole walk during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. You can select a walking option during your event registration, and your results will be listed alongside other walkers.

Will there be bag check?
Yes! Full details will be sent to registered participants via Race Director emails, and will be updated here when available.


Virtual Participant FAQ

Will there be race results for the virtual event?
Yes! Our virtual timing partner, Race Roster, is set up to receive virtual race results starting May 25 and continuing through the end of July. You can download the ASICS® RunKeeper tracking app for iOS or Android or use your running watch or GPS device to record your time. Instructions for uploading your virtual race time can be found here, and your results will be uploaded to your Race Roster dashboard.

How and when do Virtual Participants receive their race kits?
Virtual participants can pick up their race kits at the Health and Fitness Expo. Kits that have not been picked up will be mailed out via Canada Post beginning in mid-June. Participants who chose the Green Bib program and did not purchase a t-shirt will not receive a kit by mail.