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This Ottawa Marathon medical team member became the unsung hero of the finish line chute

A splash of water was a welcome sight for many runners at the end of their races at the 2017 Ottawa Marathon

Ottawa Marathon

With temperatures in the low to mid-twenties, at Ottawa Race Weekend, runners were in search of a way to cool off at the finish line.

On Saturday, the Ottawa 10K, temperatures around the start of the race, 6:30 p.m., were approximately 23 C. Conditions were similar during the marathon and the half-marathons that went off on Sunday beginning at 7 a.m. with sunny and clear skies.

As the 45,000 participants made their way to the finish line, one member of the medical team was present with a spray bottle offering a chance for runners to cool off. From there, runners made their way through the chute to grab post-race snacks and electrolyte drinks as a means of recovering. Then, race medals were handed out on Queen Elizabeth Drive adjacent to Ottawa City Hall.

Ottawa Marathon
Photo: Matt Stetson.

It’s safe to say, as can be seen in the video, that most runners were relieved to make a brief stop for the spray.

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