Latest reviews by Gabrielle K

(2016)
""Hottawa" Marathon - fabulous race but tough in a heat wave!"
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I loved the 2016 Ottawa Marathon but it was during a heat wave (newspapers the following day had the headline "HOTTAWA") and nearly got cancelled! I still had a successful race despite the weather, and the race management did an excellent job keeping us informed of all last-minute changes to start times and race day conditions. However the aid stations and medical stations were overloaded and later in the day they had to re-route runners to finish with only 20 miles instead of 26 miles because too many people were suffering in the heat. I was fortunate and was allowed to finish all 26 miles. The crowd support was fantastic and many people along the route turned on their lawn sprinklers and garden hoses to cool us down, and some even handed out ice pops! A really fun race through the Canadian capital city, and usually a cool race (so I hear).

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(2014)
"First Marathon and it did not disapoint!"
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This race lives up to the hype. It was my first marathon and was a thrill from start to finish and although I carried headphones with me, I didn't need music at all. The crowd support along the whole route was incredible. I burst into tears when I approached the iconic finish line in Central Park. The course itself is tough, with many bridges even in the last part of the race, and crowded from start to finish. After the finish line, you will have to walk about a mile before you're allowed to exit the park. Keep this in mind and don't expect to get a heat sheet or your checked bag right away. (Although I recommend skipping checked bag and getting a fleece-lined poncho instead!) If you don't mind large crowds and don't mind an early wake-up for a later race start, put this one on your bucket list!

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