Ottawa Sun
Published: Saturday, May 28, 2005

Yes I'l run! But only in the marathon!

In the election frenzy that gripped Parliament Hill and environs over the past eight weeks, I was often asked, "so are you running this spring." To which my answer was a qualified, "yes." Running in the election which is not to be, no, running in the Ottawa Race Weekend, yes, absolutely.

As Ottawans we are justifiably proud of the Bluesfest which is recognized as one of the best of its kind across the continent. Ditto for Gatineau's Hot Air Balloon festival and the just completed 60th anniversary Tulip Festival. However unless you are an avid runner you may not know that this weekend's road races including the MDS Nordion 10K and the ING Ottawa Marathon have quickly become one of the premier events on the North American circuit.

Today and tomorrow, close to 26,000 runners will pound the pavement in five separate races. The in-line skaters will also be out in force.

Over 12,000 runners will sprint through the MDS Nordion 5K and 10K races later this afternoon while another 14,000 or so will participate in the Family 2K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon ING racing series tomorrow including yours truly who will trudge along for 21.1 km (that's 13 miles). Any of these courses just can't compare to the joy (and agony afterward) of footfall after footfall.

While every race is different, this distance should be much easier than last year's marathon which yours truly attempted (and finished) in the middle of the federal election campaign. Almost 4,000 runners will hit the streets at 7 a.m. and wind their way through Rockcliffe, Sandy Hill, Gatineau, the downtown core and then up and back the canal on their way to completing the 42.2 km (26 mile) marathon trek. Meanwhile, this humble scribe and over 7,500 other marathoner wannabes will cover the half-marathon distance starting out at 10:15 am.

So you may be asking, why? And for me the answer is, because I can. Every runner tomorrow will have a story. For some it will be their lifelong passion and 30th or 40th marathon race.

For others it will be the first and last time just to say they did it. And still some folks will run due to a marriage breakup to regain self-esteem and confidence. Then there are those who are raising money for the Ottawa Hospital and kudos to these folks who will pump another $500,000 into the Hospital Foundation through this effort.

The other appeal about running is that it is the only sport where the middle-age weekend warrior can participate in the same event with an elite, world class athlete. Your average 31/2-hour marathoner will run in the same race as 2004 male course record holder Elly Rono for example. You and I can't golf in the same tournament as Tiger Woods nor can we play in the same game as Daniel Alfredsson; this is what makes running unique.

As well, the cost to get into the sport is very low. A good pair of shoes can still be found for about $100 and no matter how much or how little you train, any training is better than sitting at home stuffing your face with potato chips watching reruns and getting fat.

If your schedule is free today or tomorrow, surf by the race site at www.ncm.ca and check out the times and paths of all the races. Runners appreciate the support of total strangers standing by the roadside cheering them on to go another mile and it truly does add to the ambience of what is a very solitary experience.

Returning to my theme of another touchstone for Ottawa, the other thing that makes this weekend so special is the expression of community spirit. Over 1,500 volunteers will help out today and tomorrow and they buttress the effort of the 40-member race committee and board of directors, all volunteers. In fact, the race itself only employs two people.

But it isn't just fun and games; these races are also serious business. The ING Marathon is host to the Canadian Marathon Championships and there is over $200,000 in prize money to be won which is the largest collective purse for any road racing series in Canada.

It is little wonder then that the race has attracted runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Mexico, the U.K., Australia, Morocco and the U.S.

Finally, if you do make it this weekend, look for bib number 13239 to be crossing the half-marathon finish line between noon and 12:15 p.m. Oxygen and fluids would be much appreciated.