Breaking 4:00 at the Tamarack Ottawa Marathon
Even splits would be 5:41/km (9:09/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
5:40/km (9:08/mi)
15–30 km
Rideau Canal section and turnaround — stay relaxed, conserve for the closing km
5:41/km (9:09/mi)
30–42.2 km
Return to downtown — the War Memorial finish is the reward; hold your pace to the end
5:43/km (9:12/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 28:22 | 28:22 | 5:40/km |
| 10 km | 28:22 | 56:43 | 5:40/km |
| 15 km | 28:22 | 1:25:05 | 5:40/km |
| 20 km | 28:25 | 1:53:30 | 5:41/km |
| Half | 6:14 | 1:59:44 | 5:41/km |
| 25 km | 22:11 | 2:21:55 | 5:41/km |
| 30 km | 28:25 | 2:50:20 | 5:41/km |
| 35 km | 28:34 | 3:18:54 | 5:43/km |
| 40 km | 28:34 | 3:47:28 | 5:43/km |
| Finish | 12:32 | 4:00:00 | 5:43/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.