Ottawa Race Weekend sees highest turnout and fundraising ever

The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend raised more money than ever over the weekend, breaking fundraising and participation records.

Canada’s largest running event saw, between six different races, 49,439 participants and raised over $800,000, both records. The fundraising dollars are still coming in. The money raised was a huge jump from the $650,000 donated to charities in 2014.

The participation numbers were about 2,000 higher than the previous year, the most popular race being the half-marathon, followed by the 10K. In the half, 14,280 competed. There were 13,227 finishers in the 10K.

“This has been a tremendously successful and memorable race weekend,” said race director John Halvorsen. “The outstanding performance of the athletes, together with the support of more than 2,500 volunteers, the National Capital Commission, Ottawa Police Services, the City of Ottawa emergency staff and other organizations have helped to make the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend a success year after year.”

The numbers follow similar trends across the country and south of the border, with race participation continuing to grow at all distances, though year-over-year increases have begun to slow.