Thousands of runners and spectators gathered in Ottawa on Sunday, May 24, 2026, for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, featuring the marathon and half-marathon events. The day began with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe crossing the finish line after completing the full marathon, raising over $117,000 for his initiative to end youth homelessness by 2030.
Sutcliffe, who started the race at 4 a.m. in darkness and cold, said he wanted to symbolize the challenges faced by homeless youth. Despite blood pooling in his foot, he persevered, stating, "There was no way I was going to stop. I felt like I owed it to everybody to finish this thing." He was joined by representatives from local organizations supporting his cause.
Elite Runners Shine
In the men's elite marathon, Kenya's Elvis Cheboi took first place with a time of 2:09:22, earning a $24,000 prize. Sweden's Abeba Aregawi won the women's race in 2:23:12, setting a new Swedish national record. Both winners were celebrated by the crowd.
Among the notable participants was Kristian Jamieson, great-grandson of legendary runner Tom Longboat, who aimed to beat Longboat's historic Boston time of 2:24:24 on Canadian soil. He finished in 2:31:23, slightly slower but still impressive.
Half-Marathon Results
Ryan Wojdyla won the half-marathon in 1:08:55, while Meghan Foottit was the first woman to finish.
Tragic Loss Remembered
Ethiopian marathoner Yebrgual Melese, 36, tragically died while training for the race. Her absence was mourned by the running community, with a moment of silence observed.
The event saw thousands of participants, with light drizzle and cool temperatures creating ideal running conditions. Supporters lined the route, cheering and holding signs, as runners made their way past landmarks like Parliament Hill.
