Posted: May 23, 2007

Athletics: Canadian records within reach as world-class athletes descend on Ottawa Race Weekend

New registration record expected with over 30,000 runners anticipated to take the start line OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Ottawa Senators may be preparing to do battle for Lord Stanley's Cup, but they aren't the only game in town! Over 30,000 people are expected to make their way to the capital this weekend to reach for their own personal best in the ING Ottawa marathon, the Pfizer Wheelchair Marathon, the MDS Nordion 10K and the other events of the 2007 Ottawa Race Weekend. "We are very excited to be welcoming an unprecedented number of athletes to Ottawa this year," says Susan Longbottom, Race Weekend President. "This event has certainly come a long way in 32 years, and every year it just keeps getting better. We're hoping to break some records and make some history in 2007!" Competitions To Watch The ING Ottawa marathon is a world class event, attracting some of the most respected names in the running world. This year is both Abderrahime Bouramdane (Morocco) and Lioudmila Kortchaguina (Canada) return to Ottawa to defend their 2006 men's and women's marathon titles. Abderrahime will again face off against Amos Matui (Ethiopia),as well as Patrick Tabwe (Congo), John Kelai (Kenya), David Cheruiyot (Kenya) and top Canadian Matthew McInnis. Lioudmila is also facing some tough competition this year as she attempts to defend the course record she set in 2006. Dorota Gruca (Poland), Lisa Harvey (Canada), Claudia Camargo (Argentina) and Zebenaye Mogus (Ethiopia), second place last year, are also preparing for their own champion run this Sunday. "I'm really hoping for a new course or Canadian record this year," says Manuel Rodrigues, Vice President of the Ottawa Race Weekend and Elite Athlete Coordinator. "The depth of this field is incredible. I for one am very excited about the caliber of racing I'm sure we're going to see." If the winner of the ING Ottawa Marathon breaks the Canadian soil record (men 2:09:55, women 2:26:01), he or she will also receive a 2007 Hyundai Tucson, courtesy of Pathway Hyundai. The MDS Nordion 10K offers the most competitive 10K field in Canada and is ranked among the top 10 races in North America. This year, for the first time ever, the race includes a $5,000 bonus for the first person to cross the finish line. This new prize adds a battle of the sexes element and the elite women will start shortly before the men. Catherine "The Great" Ndereba-currently one of the best female marathoners in the world-will make her first ever Canadian race appearance at the 2007 MDS Nordion 10K. New Route, New Record Attendance For 2007 The Ottawa Race Weekend is proud to host the 2007 Canadian Marathon Championship, the National Wheelchair Marathon Championship, the Canadian Forces National Running Championship, and the Canadian Masters Marathon and Half Marathon Championships. With runners travelling to Ottawa from all across Canada, the U.S. and 47 different countries, organizers expect to break record participation for the 10th year in a row. In order to ensure the best possible experience for participants, registration caps have been placed on the Marathon and Half Marathon events in 2007 (3,600 and 9,000 respectively.) Other changes include a new route for the ING Ottawa marathon and ING Ottawa Half Marathon, which will take runners further into Gatineau, Quebec, and will eliminate many of the turns in the first half of the race. The route changes also enable organizers to answer the call from runners for an earlier start time for the ING Ottawa Half Marathon at 8:30 a.m. in 2007. 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 Race Weekend has over 29,400 participants in 6 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 the May 25-27 weekend.