• By: Keith Whittier

Ottawa 10K is Living up to Gold Label Expectations

Lately, it seems like everyone’s been getting into running. Whether it’s for the purpose of trying the new sport-leisure fashion trend or for health benefits, we will never know. But one thing is for sure: while many people enjoy going for a leisurely jog during the warm weather seasons, it takes a truly dedicated person to lace up and train year round.

For those that do, May is just the beginning of what they look forward to throughout the entire year: race season. Emerging from a long list of upcoming races is the much anticipated 2015 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend!

Wellington VictahThe Race Weekend hosts six different races, including the Gold label 10K race, one of just four Gold label 10K’s in the world! The race was given this prestigious award by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAFF) last November for meeting a list of strict criteria, including a roster of runners that have met the IAAF’s performance level requirements as well as extensive media coverage for the race.

“The combination of being a Gold label event and hosting the National Championship has led to the deepest 10K field that I have seen on Canadian soil,” said Manny Rodrigues, elite athlete coordinator.

From Sweden to Kenya, top runners from around the globe will be trekking to Canada’s capital to take part in the race.

World half-marathon and 10,000 m champion Gladys Cherono of Kenya is striving to beat last year’s course record and win the gender competition, where both men and women compete for a $2,000 bonus!Kiprop_WilsonFV-Ottawa14

Running alongside her will be last year’s second place finisher and fellow Kenyan, David Kogei, who finished just six seconds behind last year’s first place winner. (To see last year’s Ottawa 10K results click here.)

Canada’s Lanni Marchant, the current Canadian marathon record holder, and Eric Gillis, a 10K champion, will also participate in the Canadian 10K championships, being held in Ottawa for the first time.

With new recruitments of top male and female runners with personal bests’ already beating last year’s 10K winners’ time, this is expected to be one of the fastest 10K events in the world!

The Gold label Ottawa 10K is truly worth the Gold title.

See here more details about the Tamarak Ottawa Race Weekend.