Ottawa Marathon Photo Race Report - Sunday, May 25, 2014
Marathon #22 is now in the books. An amazing experience! Race very well organized. 7000 registrants for the marathon - year #40. Total 28 000 registered for the race weekend (half, 10K, 5K, 2K).
Summary:
* First 3 K was slower start than usual - great idea
* Got into comfortable running pace for race - around 5:30 minutes/K
* About 25 K, started to slow down - it's the age!
* Knees tightened and were in pain - not sure what happened - have experienced this before in a race. Walked and bended - need to figure this out!
* Kudos to race director - such a well organized race - looking forward to 50th anniversary in May 2024
Saturday - on trek to Ottawa, Expo, visit to Parliament Buildings
Photo 1: Train passed by Belleville - back field of my former school, Quinte Secondary School
Photo 2: Yeah! Train arrived in Ottawa.
Photo 3: Rideau Canal - amazing view with Parliament Buildings in the background. Photo taken making trek to race expo at Ottawa Convention Centre.
Photo 4: At the expo with Newby (Newbalance mascot!)
Photos 5 & 6: Love the tech shirt!!! Ended up wearing it in the race - first time I wore the tech shirt before earning it. Too nice not to wear!
Photo 7: Autographed copy of complimentary book to commemorate Ottawa Marathon's 40th anniversary.
Photo 8: Bib - in and out to pick up bib and tech shirt within minutes. Well organized.
At the expo, I signed up for the Niagara International Marathon. Couldn't resist - was given the cheapest registration fee without on-line processing fee - also got last year's tech shirt. This race will start in Buffalo, NY and end up at the Niagara Falls. Now to get my Passport updated.
Photos 9 & 10: Rideau Canal - just outside the Ottawa Convention Centre
Photo 11: Parliament Buildings - breathless building
Photo 12: Peace Fire
Photo 13: View of Gatineau (Hall), Quebec
Photo 14: Library
Photo 15: View of Supreme Court of Canada
Photo 16: View of House of Commons (through glass)
Photo 17: Inside view of library
Photo 18: Inside the Senate
Photo 19: Look at the structure!
Photo 20: Honouring 5 women
Sunday, May 25 - The Race!
Photo 21: Start line - positioned in Green corral. Total of 6 corrals with 2 minute break between corrals. This really helped to increase running room.
Photo 12: Race started with overcast weather - but no rain! This photo was taken about 10 K. Unfortunately when downloading photos, the order got messed up - not sure why - argh! First few Ks were parallel to the Rideau Canal. This route is repeated in the final several Ks - photos are there. I found 5 K to 18 K fairly dull and boring. The rest of the route was spectacular.
Photo 13: Uphill incline. Yeah - walked it!
Photo 14: Approaching Little Italy.
Photo 15: At the 19 K mark - on Ottawa River Parkway
Photo 16: Entering Gatineau Quebec!
Photo 17: Wow - look at the Ottawa River!
Photo 18: At the 22 K mark. Scenic
Photo 19: Still in Quebec - at the 24 K
Photo 20: At the 25 K
Photo 21: Great peaceful view
Photo 22: Time to return to Ottawa. This is the Alexandra Bridge (past 25 K mark)
Photo 23: A spectator took this photo of me! Great background view of the Parliament Buildings
Photo 24: Great view of spectators from the bridge
Photo 25: Royal Canadian Mint
Photo 26: At the 30 K mark -great view and getting hotter
Photo 26: South on Sussex Drive.
Photo 27: At the 30 K - has gotten humid
Photo 28: Route from 30 K to 35 K scenic
Photos 29 to 32: Quotes!
Photo 33: At 32 K
Photo 34: Another scenic photo
Photo 35: At the 39 K south on the Rideau Canal
Photo 36: This runner is cool!
Photo 37: At the 40 K mark. Almost there. Still running south on Rideau Canal.
Photo 38: All the cups after the fluid station
Photo 39: Go Habs Go - okay for Ottawa since Montreal is the only Canadian team in the playoffs.
Photo 40: Almost there
Photo 41: Spectator's sign says it all!
Photo 42: I touched this shoe earlier in the race. Read about this man! He has 1/2 shoe stuck to a board.
Photo 43: Nice view
Photo 44: Almost at the finish line!
Photo 45: Great finisher's medal!
Photo 46: Visit to the Royal Canadian Mint. The gold bar is worth $600 000. Free tour (promotion).
Photo 47: Photo with Oscar Peterson
Photo 48: Ottawa's a great city to host a marathon. Lots of spectators
Photo 49: Canadian hero
Photo 50: Train has arrived back in Toronto. What an amazing weekend!
Just downloaded my finisher's certificate
YTD = 618.4 K
Eyeing the Montreal marathon in late September.
Looking forward to the Niagara Ultra 50 K on Saturday, June 14. Less than 3 weeks away!
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