Breaking 3:45 at the Tamarack Ottawa Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:19/km (8:33/mi)
15–30 km
Rideau Canal section and turnaround — stay relaxed, conserve for the closing km
5:20/km (8:35/mi)
30–42.2 km
Return to downtown — the War Memorial finish is the reward; hold your pace to the end
5:21/km (8:37/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:35 | 26:35 | 5:19/km |
| 10 km | 26:35 | 53:11 | 5:19/km |
| 15 km | 26:35 | 1:19:46 | 5:19/km |
| 20 km | 26:39 | 1:46:25 | 5:20/km |
| Half | 5:51 | 1:52:15 | 5:20/km |
| 25 km | 20:48 | 2:13:03 | 5:20/km |
| 30 km | 26:39 | 2:39:42 | 5:20/km |
| 35 km | 26:47 | 3:06:28 | 5:21/km |
| 40 km | 26:47 | 3:33:15 | 5:21/km |
| Finish | 11:45 | 3:45:00 | 5:21/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.