Ottawa Marathon 2027: 12 weeks from late winter to May 30, every workout on your Garmin

Your training, timed for May 30

The plan lasts 12 weeks, starting on Mon, March 8. With more time, it can start on February 8 with 4 lead-in weeks.

1. Weeks 1–3

   Base

   Mar 8 → Mar 28

   Settle volume, wake threshold up

2. Weeks 4–7

   Development

   Mar 29 → Apr 25

   Marathon pace comes in, long runs get longer

3. Weeks 8–10

   Specific

   Apr 26 → May 16

   Long blocks at marathon pace, 2-hour-plus runs

4. Weeks 11–12

   Taper

   May 17 → May 30

   Two weeks to arrive fresh

Two provinces in one marathon: Ottawa, Gatineau and the Rideau Canal

The race starts at 7:00 a.m. outside Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West. In 2026, the course passed Parliament Hill, headed west to Tunney's Pasture (5K), crossed the Ottawa River on the Chaudière Bridge for a loop through Gatineau, Quebec, then came back into Ontario over the Alexandra Bridge.

The second half ran up Sussex Drive to Rockcliffe and Rideau Hall (20K), then followed the Rideau Canal to Dow's Lake (30K) and beyond, before coming back along the canal to the finish near the start. The official interactive map shows the route, road closures and elevation profiles: check it for the 2027 edition.

The course is certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier. You need to reach the 27K mark (Pretoria Bridge area) by 11:30 a.m. or you may be redirected to the finish, and the marathon has a 7-hour time limit.

Three workouts for the canal straights and the turnarounds

The 2026 course mixed long steady stretches, such as along the Rideau Canal in the closing part of the race, with several turnarounds that break your rhythm. Ask your assistant to create these three workouts and send them to your watch; it sets them from your MAS.

• — Marathon-pace blocks: 15 min easy, 2 × 5 miles at marathon pace (about 78% of MAS), 3 min recovery, 10 min cool-down, to hold pace along the canal.
• — Surges: 45 min easy with 10 × 1 min at about 90% of MAS and 1 min recovery, to get back up to speed smoothly after each turnaround.
• — Long run with a fast finish: 2 h 15 min, the last 30 minutes at marathon pace, run early in the morning like the 7:00 a.m. start.

Twelve weeks, from late winter to late May

The 12-week plan starts on Monday, March 8, 2027: the first weeks are still run in winter, the biggest ones fall in April and early May, and the taper covers the last two weeks, from May 17. The organizer sets up cooling and misting stations on the course.

A week lost to snow, work or the Easter long weekend (Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027): your assistant reads your activities on Garmin Connect, reviews the week and adjusts the rest of the plan without making up for it. If you're traveling from far away, arrive a few days early to pick up your bib.

Registration and race day

Registration for 2027 is open on the Run Ottawa site, which lists a total event capacity of 6,000; only runners registered before May 1 get their first name on their bib. The marathon is on Sunday, May 30; the rest of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, May 29 and 30, includes a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K and a 2K.

Frequently asked questions