Throwback Thursday: No lack of split shorts at the 1984 Ottawa marathon

Today’s throwback Thursday photo comes courtesy of George Aitkin from the 1984 Ottawa marathon, which doubled as the Olympic Trials that year ahead of the Games in Los Angeles.

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“I was there as a photographer and followed the race on my bicycle, trying to stay ahead of the top men,” says Aitkin. “When I stopped to wait for them to return from the turnaround (it was an out-and-back course in those days), I was able to get some other shots including the lead women, and shots like this scenic one. Despite the sunshine, it was a cool and windy day, but a good temperature for racing. Groups of runners formed to help with wind protection on the windy ‘out’ portion of the course.”

The Parliament buildings can be seen in the background as the lead men, some sporting knee-high socks, others with t-shirts, run by. All are wearing signature split shorts, a giveaway for most distance runners.

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The 2016 Ottawa race weekend runs from May 28-29 with the 5K and 10K on Saturday evening and the half-marathon and marathon on Sunday morning. Conditions are expected to be hot, up to 30 C at times, so make sure to check out this training tips page for running in the heat.

Dave Edge was the male winner in 2:13:19, while Silvia Ruegger, in her first marathon attempt, clocked 2:30:37 to win the women’s title. It was the world’s best time for a woman in her first marathon.

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The trio of Art Boileau (44), Alain Bordeleau (65) and Edge (DNF), represented Canada in the men’s marathon at the 1984 Olympics later that summer. The 1984 Games marked the first time that the women’s marathon was included as part of the sporting event. Ruegger (8), Anne Marie Malone (17) and Jacqueline Gareau (DNF) represented Canada in the women’s race.