Posted: May 26, 2006

Athletics: Ottawa Race Weekend Expecting Record Participation For 10th Consecutive Year

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – On the eve of the first race of Ottawa Race Weekend - the MDS Nordion 5K - Canada's largest running festival is already enjoying another record year with 27,450 participants already registered and about 3,000 more expected to sign up within the next 36 hours. In 1996, the event welcomed 4,000 runners, and grew to over 26,200 participants in 2005. Record breaking participation this weekend represents 10 years of outstanding growth.

“Our event has become a must for many runners across North America. We will be welcoming record numbers of participants from Canada, the US, Mexico, Europe and Africa. Clearly, there is no boundary to how big we can grow,” says Susan Longbottom, Ottawa Race Weekend President.

International competition heating up in ING Ottawa Marathon and MDS Nordion 10K

2005 ING Ottawa Marathon defending champion David Cheruiyot is expected to face stiff competition this year. Kenyans Ben Kimondiu (PB: 2:0852), Henry Tarus (PB: 2:10:08), Nelson Njeru Ndereva (PB: 2:09), Elly Rono (PB: 2:10:57), along with South African Makhosonke Fika (PB: 2:10:18) could all be contenders, along with first timer Nicholas Kiprono Kurgat of Uganda.

In the women’s field, defending champion Lidia Vasilevskaja (PB: 2:29:26) of Russia will be again facing Canadian Champion Lioudmila Kortchaguina (PB: 2:29:53). They will both face newcomers Magdalene Makunzi (debut), Helena Kiprop (PB: 2:34) of Kenya, Moges Zebenaye (PB: 2:35)of Ethiopia and Argentinian Claudia Camargo (PB: 2:36:06) and American Mary Akor (PB: 2:37:19).

Crowds will also feel the excitement at the finish line of the MDS Nordion 10K as 2005 champion Kenyan George Kirwa Misoi will return to defend his title against fellow countrymen Nicodemus Malakwen (PB: 28:06), Lazarus Nyakeraka (PB: 27:41), Linus Maiyo (PB: 27:36), John Itati (PB: 27:31), Henry Kipchirchir (PB: 27:51). In the women’s category, Zhor el Kamch (PB: 31:37) of Morocco will try hold off Ukranian Tetyana Hladyr (PB: 32:00) and Kenyan Geneova Jelegat (PB: 31:48). Other contenders include Kenyan Teresa Wanjiku (PB: 31:01), Canadian Emilie Mondor (PB: 31:10) and Moroccon Salima el Ouali Alami.

The ING Ottawa Marathon is also site of the 2006 Canadian Marathon Championships and 2005 champion Jim Finlayson is not expected to return so a new champion will be crowned. In the women’s field, Lioudmilla Kortchaguina who received her Canadian citizenship two days prior to winning the title in 2005 will be facing Tania Jones (PB: 2:39) and Paula Wiltse (PB: 2:45).

“Each year, the competitiveness of our events grows, and this weekend we are closer than ever to beating this 30-year old marathon record,” says Manny Rodrigues, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “We’re hoping to give away the keys to a brand new Hyundai Tucson to one of our elite athletes in 2006.”

CBC Sports to broadcast over two hours of ING Ottawa Marathon

For the first time in its 32-year history, the ING Ottawa Marathon will be featured in a 2 and a half hour program on CBC Television on Saturday June 3rd at 3:30 p.m. EST. “CBC’s commitment to this event is a sign of the impact the ING Ottawa Marathon has had on this country’s marathon scene,” says John Halvorsen, Ottawa Race Weekend Race Director. For more information visit www.cbc.ca/ottawa

First Canadian Wheelchair championships

This year also marks the re-launch of the ING Ottawa Wheelchair Marathon, which has been designated by Athletics Canada as the first ever Canadian Wheelchair Marathon Championships. This new event is backed by support from event sponsor ING and Pfizer who came on board this year to rejuvenate the wheelchair event.

ING Run for Something Better: Canada’s Fastest City

Another exciting competition to watch for is the ING Run for Something Better, a race within the ING Ottawa Marathon to find Canada’s fastest city. Teams of two runners from ten Canadian cities will converge in Ottawa on Sunday to compete for the title of “Fastest Canadian City” – and a share of $68,000 in prize money for running programs in their home town.

About the Ottawa Race Weekend The Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada's premier running festival, combines competition, participation and fundraising to make a distinctive contribution to the health of the community. The event has over 30,000 participants in nine races, including the ING Ottawa Marathon and the MDS Nordion 10K. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. This year, the Race Weekend is scheduled for May 26-28.

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