2014 Ottawa Race Weekend - May 24-25, 2014

[HCcD]

Registration for the 2014 Ottawa Race Weekend is now open ....

http://www.runottawa.ca/races/register


Race
Ottawa Marathon - Sunday May 25, 2014 (Max 5,500)
Ottawa Marathon Walk - Sunday May 25, 2014
Ottawa 1/2 Marathon - Sunday May 25, 2014 (Max 11,800)
Ottawa 1/2 Marathon Walk - Sunday May 25, 2014
Ottawa 10k - Saturday May 24, 2014 (Max 10,500)
Ottawa 5k - Saturday May 24, 2014 (Max 9,500)

Ottawa 2k - Saturday May 24, 2014 (Max 3,600)
Ottawa Y Kids' Marathon - Sunday May 25, 2014 (Max 2,000)
Ottawa Wheelchair Marathon - Sunday May 25, 2014

[Run26.2]

Just registered for the full.

[HCcD]

fyi ....

All participants who sign up for the Ottawa Marathon race before Dec 1st will receive a complimentary 40th anniversary commemorative book written by Mark Sutcliffe.

The Magnificent Marathon

40 years running in Ottawa
By Mark Sutcliffe

On May 25, 1975, 146 runners gathered to run the first Ottawa Marathon. Little did they know that one day the race would be come the premiere distance race in Canada. On May 25, 2014 more than 6,200 runners are expected to participate in the 40th edition of what has become Canada's preeminent Marathon.

With a stunningly scenic course and outstanding runner experience with over 100,000 spectators, the Ottawa Marathon has grown rapidly as the flagship race of an annual running event that attracts more than 44,000 people to a world-class capital city. To celebrate this milestone year, Run Ottawa is producing a special commemorative book that will be available to all participants, past and present. Authored by Ottawa writer, broadcaster and iRun founder Mark Sutcliffe, The Magnificent Marathon will tell the story of Canada's biggest, best and most historic Marathon.

[HCcD]

Half Marathon is at around 59% SOLD OUT now .... fyi ....

[NMG]

Half Marathon is at around 59% SOLD OUT now .... fyi ....

Geez, I guess I better decide what I'm running!

[jes]

Ok, signed up for the half!

[Jogger Barbie]

I'll probably sign up for the marathon. Ed is thinking the marathon might be his goal race for the Spring. It would appear that we have a week or two to decide.

[deerdree]

i will be in ottawa that weekend, but i don't think i'll be running. if i can get back to half-marathon shape (a girl can dream), i'm more inclined to go with the familiar, downhill mississauga course (which also happens to be cheaper), and save ottawa for cheering and fun.

that said, can someone describe the half course to me? i haven't done a race there in years and the current half map is completely unfamiliar to me (well, i recognize the streets, but not enough to know their elevation and such). hilly? windy? chance of shade if it's a hot day?

[NMG]

that said, can someone describe the half course to me? i haven't done a race there in years and the current half map is completely unfamiliar to me (well, i recognize the streets, but not enough to know their elevation and such). hilly? windy? chance of shade if it's a hot day?

It looks like it's the same course as last year. I would characterize it as pretty flat with not much shade. There are a fair number of trees along the first 4KM's, but nothing that would completely block the sun. The rest of the course is pretty wide open. Wind could be an issue at the mid-way point of the course for a few KM's when you are along the river on the Ottawa side. When you cross over into Gatineau there is some shelter from some of the buildings and such. Same goes for the rest of the course on the Ottawa side. There are also some small hills on the Gatineau side, but nothing that will hamper your run in the grand scheme of things. Overall, it is a very scenic course though and I think they do a great job of breaking up the race into different sections, each with a different "feel". I found that the race went by very quickly and I think allot of that is due to the variety of the surroundings. The crowd support is also excellent. Lots of people out cheering, playing music, etc.

[deerdree]

that said, can someone describe the half course to me? i haven't done a race there in years and the current half map is completely unfamiliar to me (well, i recognize the streets, but not enough to know their elevation and such). hilly? windy? chance of shade if it's a hot day?

It looks like it's the same course as last year. I would characterize it as pretty flat with not much shade. There are a fair number of trees along the first 4KM's, but nothing that would completely block the sun. The rest of the course is pretty wide open. Wind could be an issue at the mid-way point of the course for a few KM's when you are along the river on the Ottawa side. When you cross over into Gatineau there is some shelter from some of the buildings and such. Same goes for the rest of the course on the Ottawa side. There are also some small hills on the Gatineau side, but nothing that will hamper your run in the grand scheme of things. Overall, it is a very scenic course though and I think they do a great job of breaking up the race into different sections, each with a different "feel". I found that the race went by very quickly and I think allot of that is due to the variety of the surroundings. The crowd support is also excellent. Lots of people out cheering, playing music, etc.

thank you! that's very helpful.

[Irongirl]

So, I'm about to hit register - and, I notice that the HST is added to the fee.....

I can't find my registration e-mail from last year, but, I feel like normally the taxes were included in the fee.

So it's normally $80 + service fee = 86 or something.

NOW, I it's $80 + HST (11) + service fee (6.50) = $97.75!

Now, we know that they're going to sell out, so, obviously there's no point in complaining....but, could someone check last year's registration e-mail to see if I'm out to lunch or not?

[deerdree]

I just went through Mississauga registration to see what the post-tax difference would be - surprising to see a "medal fee" line (even though it appears to be nil):

Entry fee: $ 65 CDN.
Event HST: $ 8.45
Medal fee: $
Discount: - $
Limited-Time Offers: $
Processing fee: $ 6.22
Total: $ 79.67 CDN.

[Marg]

So, I'm about to hit register - and, I notice that the HST is added to the fee.....

I can't find my registration e-mail from last year, but, I feel like normally the taxes were included in the fee.

So it's normally $80 + service fee = 86 or something.

NOW, I it's $80 + HST (11) + service fee (6.50) = $97.75!

Now, we know that they're going to sell out, so, obviously there's no point in complaining....but, could someone check last year's registration e-mail to see if I'm out to lunch or not?

For 2013:
Total Due : $81.22 (Taxes included, if applicable)
Paid Amount : $81.22

[HCcD]

So, I'm about to hit register - and, I notice that the HST is added to the fee.....

I can't find my registration e-mail from last year, but, I feel like normally the taxes were included in the fee.

So it's normally $80 + service fee = 86 or something.

NOW, I it's $80 + HST (11) + service fee (6.50) = $97.75!

Now, we know that they're going to sell out, so, obviously there's no point in complaining....but, could someone check last year's registration e-mail to see if I'm out to lunch or not?

For 2013:
Total Due : $81.22 (Taxes included, if applicable)
Paid Amount : $81.22

If you are a valid member of the Run Ottawa Club, you get a $5.00 (plus HST) discount

So, yeah ... $91.53 for a half marathon ...

eta: Kinda like it now, when some race directors put a flat rate fee on their site, that already includes all the fees and taxes, etc ., so to avoid any surprises on checkout ....

[Irongirl]

so, last year, HST was in fact included in the listed price. This year, it's not.

That's quite the difference!

off to note this on their twitter and/or facebook.....

[NMG]

I'm in for the 1/2 again!

[La]

I will have to wait until closer to the date (assuming the bib transfer option is available again) since I'm not signing up for any races in advance in 2014.

[Jo-Jo]

HalfM is now 91% sold; FullM is 48% sold.

[Jo-Jo]

HalfM is now 91% sold; FullM is 48% sold.

[scrumhalfgirl]

HalfM is now 91% sold; FullM is 48% sold.

crazy!

[newbie]

I just registered, I hate registering for races this far in advance though

[Jo-Jo]

I just registered, I hate registering for races this far in advance though

I agree.
Because of the transfer fee charged by most races when bibs are sold to someone else I think it's a great additional revenue stream for races

[Pat29]

I am most likely in for the marathon again and will register soon.

[canalrunner]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

Ottawa Marathon 50%
Ottawa Half-Marathon 100%
Ottawa 10K 51%
Ottawa 5K 26%
Ottawa 2K 32%
Ottawa Kids Marathon 7%

[La]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

I think the RR clinics are to "blame" for the rush on registrations. They push it very hard and encourage people to sign up early.