Posted: May 29, 2004

Athletics: ING Canada - 30th National Capital Race Weekend making history

Registration hits new record; last qualifying marathon for Canadian Olympic hopefuls

OTTAWA, May 28 /CNW/ - On the eve of the first race starting, the National Capital Race Weekend, featuring the Ottawa ING Marathon, is enjoying a record year with over 22,000 participants already registered and over 3,000 more expected within the next 18 hours. As well, a number of potential Olympians will be at the start line to qualify for the upcoming 2004 Olympics to be held in Athens, Greece.

"The competition will be at its best this year as Olympic fever is hitting the nation's capital," says Susan Longbottom, Race Weekend president. "I wouldn't be surprise if we register a record on our new one-loop course." Many of the events are expected to sell out before the close of registration and running hopefuls are urged to register soon. For the past two years, some of the events - including the ING 2K Family Run and the Ottawa Citizen 5K Run - have been sold out before the end of registration - which closes on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

CANADIAN ATHLETES TO WATCH

Among key Canadian athletes competing in the Ottawa ING Marathon, designated the 2004 Canadian Marathon Championships, past champion Bruce Deacon (PB: 2:13:18) and Stéphane Gamache (PB: 2:23:00) will be facing newcomers Andrew Hahn, Michael McInnes and Steve Osaduik who will be making their marathon debut. They'll be facing stiff international competition from Kenyans Ely Rono (PB: 2:10:57), Duncan Kibet (debut), Mustapha Bennacer of Algeria (debut), Gino Van Geyt of Belgium (PB: 2:13:14), Dagne Debela of Ethiopia (PB: 2:13:20).

In the women's category, Nicole Stevenson (PB: 2:33:27) and Carol Howe (PB: 2:34:29) will try to succeed to last year's champion Sandy Jacobson who confirmed she wouldn't be part of the competition due to injuries. International athletes in the women's field includes past winner Ludmilla Kortchagina (Russia) as well as Alevtina Diktimiroba (Russia). The Race Weekend will also welcome elite athletes for the MDS Nordion 10 KM, which was also designated at the Canadian 10K championships.

UNPARALLELED GROWTH

In 1975, the first Ottawa marathon started with 146 runners at the start line. Over the years, the event grew but hit a phenomenal increase between 1996 and 2000, from 4,000 participants to 13,000. Last year, the event broke all previous participation records when it topped 20,000 runners taking part in eight events over two days. Total economic activity attributed to the 2003 Race Weekend, was $13,2 million.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL RACE WEEKEND

The National Capital Race Weekend, Canada's premier running festival, combines competition, participation and fundraising to make a distinctive contribution to the health of the community. The Race Weekend has over 20,000 participants in 9 races, including the ING Ottawa Marathon. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. This year, the Race Weekend is scheduled for the May 28-30 weekend and the ING Ottawa Marathon will feature a one-loop course for the first time in over 10 years.