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RaceGuide’s Events of the Week: May 23-24

2008 Ottawa Marathon

Spring race season may be winding down but this week’s featured events from RaceGuide still showcase some amazing and immensely popular events from coast to coast.

2008 Ottawa Marathon

Sat. May 23rd and Sun. May 24th: Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, Ottawa, Ont.

Certified, Popular, Boston Qualifier, Race Expo, Destination Race, Historic, Bucket List Event

Profile: Canada’s largest multi-day running event is the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Last year it celebrated its 40th anniversary and continues to attract the largest number of participants – more than 44,000 – in Canada including elite, recreational and first timers who take part in six separate race options. The signature marathon and immensely popular half features a flat and scenic tour of the nation’s capital including many of its notable and historic attractions while offering plenty of spectator support and on-course amenities. The 10K event on Saturday is set to play host to the 10K Canadian Championships and is also an IAAF gold-standard race making it one of the most prestigious 10K races in the world. 5K and a kids race also goes on Saturday. In addition to the races, the event offers an excellent race expo, top-notch amenities as well as entertainment, awards and so much more. Ottawa should be considered the complete racing experience and is a must do event for all Canadian runners.

By the Numbers: Participants: 44,000; Fee(s): $105 (Marathon); $85 (Half); $55 (10K); $45 (5K)

Charity: Scotiabank Charity Challenge

Ratings: Scenery: 5; Atmosphere: 5; Crowds/support: 5; Organization: 5; Amenities: 5

CabotTrailSat. May 23rd: Cabot Trail Relay Race, Baddeck, N.S.

Popular, Bucket List Event, Destination Race, Historic

Profile: One of Canada’s best relay races in one of its most beautiful places. Seventy teams run approximately 280K around the world famous Cabot Trail on Cape Breton. Each leg of the relay varies in difficulty and distance — between 12K and 20K — and takes participants over scenic rolling hills, up and down occasional mountains, along oceanfront beaches, through national parks and to charming seaside communities. The relay starts bright and early on Saturday morning outside the town of Baddeck and continues all day and night until the finish back in the town centre on the following Sunday. There is plenty to celebrate at the post-race lobster banquet and awards ceremony which takes place Sunday in the local arena.

By the Numbers: Participants: 1,100 (70 teams); Fee(s): $1,500 (per team)

Ratings: Scenery: 5; Organization: 5; Experience: 5; Amenities: 4; Unique/Specialty: 5

Women's Running - The 2010 Toronto Women's Half MarathonSun. May 24th: Toronto Women’s Half Marathon & 5K, Toronto, Ont.

Certified, Popular

Profile: The first of the Toronto Women’s Race series, this half-marathon and 5K event takes place the last Sunday in May in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Park. The race starts and finishes inside the park and is an out-and-back course that runs along the scenic Don Valley trails in and around the park. This specialty event also features firefighter-manned water/aid stations and a popular post-race chocolate station. All participants receive a signature Mizuno technical race shirt, free race day photos and a finisher’s memento from Foxy Originals.

By the Numbers: Participants: 2,000; Fee(s): $75-105 (Half); $45-60 (5K)

Charity: Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario

Ratings: Organization: 5; Unique/specialty: 5; Amenities: 5; Swag/medals: 5

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