Canada Army Run unveils new half-marathon route

Organizers of next month’s Canada Army Run in Ottawa have unveiled the event’s half-marathon course, a route that will treat runners to great views of some of the capital’s most famous landmarks in an outing honouring the men and women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The half-marathon will begin early on Sunday, Sept. 17 on Laurier Avenue near Ottawa City Hall, continuing west to Bay Street, where it will head north to Rideau Street.

The route continues east, past such landmarks as the Supreme Court of Canada and Parliament Hill, to Mackenzie Avenue. It stretches past the National Gallery of Canada and the prime minister’s official residence (24 Sussex Drive) along the south side of the Ottawa River, where it will veer east around Rideau Hall and through the 150-year-old Beechwood Cemetery, home of the National Military Cemetery.

The half-marathon will then continue north, veering east for an out-and-back stretch along the Ottawa River before continuing along the river toward Remembrance Row and the finish line near the National War Memorial. Runners interested in the half-marathon who are keen to take on an extra challenge have the option of signing up for the Commander’s Challenge, which enters participants in both the event’s half-marathon and 5K.

In addition to the 5K, in-person races include a 10K and the Sergeant Major’s Challenge, which combines the 5K and 10K. Runners unable to attend on Sept. 17 who would still like to take part can register for virtual editions of all the above events. This year’s event will benefit two organizations—Support Our Troops and Soldier On.

These are the two charitable causes of the Canadian Armed Forces, which provide support, services and assistance to military members, veterans and their families.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward these organizations, and participants have the opportunity to fundraise as well, either individually or as a team.

Interested individuals can visit the Army Run’s official website, where they can register online. Participants can choose their preferred race category, create a fundraising page if they wish to contribute to the supported charitable causes and find all the necessary information related to the event schedule, training guides and logistical details.