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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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Ottawa Marathon

Ottawa, ON
Sunday, May 30, 2027


  4.9 Stars from 7 Reviews

Course Description
The Ottawa Marathon course is a relatively fast, scenic route with a few elevation changes. It winds through some of Ottawa's most vibrant neighborhoods and popular landmarks.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in Ontario Marathons near Ottawa, ON



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, May 30, 2027
2026: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 64°F (17°C)
Average High: 74°F (23°C)
Average Low: 54° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.24
Course Score: 98.56

Race Size

2026: No Results
2025: No Results
2024: 4,780 Finishers
2023: 2,433 Finishers
2022: 2,320 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: N/A
2025: N/A
2024: 10.9%
2023: 14.3%
2022: 14.3%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 8 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 71°F  (22°C)
Low: 53°F  (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

57°F  (14°C)
Humidity: 77%

Mostly Cloudy
ESE 6 mph

PR Score

97.75

Course Score

98.82






Ottawa Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Ottawa Marathon was the 3rd largest marathon in Canada in 2024 based on the number of finishers. The 2025 marathon ranking is not available because the race was cancelled. Race size gives runners useful context when comparing marathon events, including expected field size, crowd support, and overall race atmosphere.

In 2024, 10.9% of Ottawa Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Ottawa Marathon ranked 14th among marathons in Canada in 2024. In Ontario, it ranked 8th in 2024.

The Ottawa Marathon has a Course Score of 98.56, ranking it as the 21st fastest marathon course in Canada and the 11th fastest marathon course in Ontario.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Ottawa Marathon a PR Score of 98.24. The PR Score ranks the Ottawa Marathon as the 23rd best marathon in Canada for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 11th best marathon for a PR in Ontario.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Ottawa Marathon compares with other marathons in Canada and Ontario for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Ottawa Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed21st fastest marathon course in Canada
Ranked 11th fastest marathon course in Ontario
Top 68% Nationally#11 of 12 in Ontario
PR Potential23rd best marathon for a Personal Record in Canada
Ranked 11th best marathon for a PR in Ontario
Top 75% Nationally#11 of 12 in Ontario

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 264 feet (80m)
Min Elevation: 175 feet (53m)

Elevation Gain: 660 feet (201m)
Elevation Loss: 653 feet (199m)


Ottawa

Course updated 05/12/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Ottawa Marathon

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Compare the Ottawa Marathon to other Marathons

Use tools below to compare races and convert times across courses.

Do you want to see how the Ottawa Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Ottawa Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Ottawa Marathon in 5:48:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


Time Converter Tool

Race Reviews


4.9
Based on 7 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great Race and Beautiful Course

Full Review:

I have run this race 4 times (all slightly different courses) but am always impressed by how scenic and pretty it is. Every couple kms is a nice view of the Ottawa river or the Rideau Canal and in between views are segments in nice subdivisions with great crowd support. It is hilly though, so be prepared for the later sections in Rockcliffe park. The race is typically well organized and the volunteers do a great job.

The only negatives are that it is typically hot weather (although 2024 was much cooler than typical which was wonderful) and there is a segment shared with the half marathoners. In some years, there has been a 2 hour difference in start times but this year it was only 1.5 hours and that meant that the full marathoners merged with halvers running much slower pace and there were too many of them to run around.

So its not a fast course given the negatives and that its a hilly course, I highly recommend taking this one in for a fun and scenic marathon and just enjoy the views and the crowds!

Race Tips:

The 2024 race was much hillier in the second half and there are some decently long grinds through Rockcliffe park around 32-37km. Don't go too hard the first half because those hills are coming!

Be prepared to merge with half marathoners and have the challenge of weaving around them

Race weekend is typically hot and humid so try to acclimate before hand.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are many hotels within walking distance to the start and many will offer late checkout. I've stayed downtown only 300m from the start line the last 2 years and it really makes race morning logistics a breeze. There is also free parking at City Hall all weekend.

The Expo for 2024 was a zoo, so I'd recomend trying to get there on the Friday.
Reviewed by Laura About 2024

Full Review:

Reviewed by LL About 2017

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2016

Full Review:

Starting line was easy to get to. Bag drop off was well organized. The course profile was great, mostly flat with a few risers. Nuun hydration along the course is so much better than Gatorade. It's not overly crowded, just enough so once you get farther into the race there is always runners around. It was nice having pacers available. Although, my pacer had to drop at around mile 8 due to an injury. Thankfully there was a group of about 4 of us that stuck together for the majority of the race. Not a ton of crowd support during some areas, but overall there is a good amount of people out and watching. A spectator handed me a huge chunk of ice just before the Alexandria Bridge which I was so thankful for!

The BIGGEST con was the fact they started the 1/2 marathon earlier than was planned due to hot temperatures. This meant that for my last ~5k I was running among a large crowd of 1/2 marathon runners that were at a much slower pace than I was. So it was like a crowded start where you have to weave through slower runners to get by. Except you don't have the energy to do it. At a couple points I even hopped up on the grass. Not ideal, but like I said they started the 1/2 earlier that year.
Reviewed by Shanley About 2016

Full Review:

Very Hot (record temp) and drink lots on the course.

Race Tips:

Pace yourself.
Reviewed by Harry V H About 2016

Beautiful and flat

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2015

Full Review:

Fantastic organization. Every runner counts. Thousands of volunteers. Interesting and lovely course. Smooth registration, start. Huge community involvement. There is a half marathon, 10k, 5k, kids 2k all the same weekend - really a running festival.

Race Tips:

Marathon sells out by January, half-marathon in November, so register as early as you can.
Reviewed by ET About 2014