Breaking 3:30 at the Tamarack Ottawa Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/mi). But Tamarack Ottawa Marathon isn't flat-even — the plan below redistributes the same finish time across the course the way experienced runners actually race it.
How to pace this course
0–15 km
Flat Ottawa River parkway — ideal for locking in goal pace from the gun
4:58/km (7:59/mi)
15–30 km
Rideau Canal section and turnaround — stay relaxed, conserve for the closing km
4:58/km (8:00/mi)
30–42.2 km
Return to downtown — the War Memorial finish is the reward; hold your pace to the end
5:00/km (8:03/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:49 | 24:49 | 4:58/km |
| 10 km | 24:49 | 49:38 | 4:58/km |
| 15 km | 24:49 | 1:14:27 | 4:58/km |
| 20 km | 24:52 | 1:39:19 | 4:58/km |
| Half | 5:27 | 1:44:46 | 4:58/km |
| 25 km | 19:24 | 2:04:11 | 4:58/km |
| 30 km | 24:52 | 2:29:03 | 4:58/km |
| 35 km | 24:59 | 2:54:02 | 5:00/km |
| 40 km | 24:59 | 3:19:02 | 5:00/km |
| Finish | 10:58 | 3:30:00 | 5:00/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.