Ottawa Marathon Cheering Station (CCC)

The New Edinburgh Cheering Station is back on course with the support of the Crichton Community Council’s (https://www.newedinburgh.ca/ccc/) volunteers and the cooperation of Mackay United Church. Join us to welcome thousands of participants in this year’s Ottawa Marathon!  Come to the Cheering Station located on MacKay Street this year due to the construction on Stanley Avenue.The New Edinburgh Cheering Station is strategically located between kilometre 35 and 36, on MacKay Street between Dufferin Road and Keefer Street.  The leg between kilometre 35 and 36 of the 42.2 km course will run down MacKay Street this year.  (The traditional route through the neighbourhood has been modified because of the construction on Stanley between Union and Sussex.).

Come and be amazed at the athleticism of the early morning elite runners. Stay on through the morning to support those who are moving at a slower pace. Together, we’ll energize runners with all kinds of positive encouragement as they head into the challenges of the final 7 kilometres of the marathon: music; sign making; face painting; sidewalk chalk; noise makers; personalized words of encouragement amplified to runners as they pass; coffee and treats for the early risers; freezies and other refreshments later on; indoor public washrooms on site.

The elite runners should make their first pass by the neighbourhood, heading west along Sussex, around 8:25 a.m..  More than 5,000 runners will follow them.  The fastest of the pack will return to the neighbourhood from Beechwood around 8:45 a.m. (after looping around Rockcliffe and Manor Park).

Give runners some positive memories of the several minutes they’ll spend in New Edinburgh.  Show our neighbourhood’s pride.  Bring your most positive energy to the cheering station on MacKay Street, near Dufferin Road.  Loud words of encouragement, noise makers, signs and costumes are all welcome.

By 10:00 a.m. all of the elite runners will have long finished the race, but those that remain on course need your support!  Given that most people run a marathon in about 4.5 hours, at about 10:45 a.m. the hordes will be passing the cheering station on MacKay .

The last 7 km of a marathon are the most difficult for many people.  Let’s rally to raise the spirits of all participants, many of whom may be in the midst of one of the most difficult challenges they have ever undertaken.

More information about the Ottawa Marathon can be found here: https://www.runottawa.ca/races-and-events/ottawa-marathon