Breaking 4:30 at the Tamarack Ottawa Marathon
Even splits would be 6:24/km (10:18/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
6:23/km (10:16/mi)
15–30 km
Rideau Canal section and turnaround — stay relaxed, conserve for the closing km
6:24/km (10:17/mi)
30–42.2 km
Return to downtown — the War Memorial finish is the reward; hold your pace to the end
6:26/km (10:21/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 31:54 | 31:54 | 6:23/km |
| 10 km | 31:54 | 1:03:49 | 6:23/km |
| 15 km | 31:54 | 1:35:43 | 6:23/km |
| 20 km | 31:58 | 2:07:41 | 6:24/km |
| Half | 7:01 | 2:14:43 | 6:24/km |
| 25 km | 24:57 | 2:39:40 | 6:24/km |
| 30 km | 31:58 | 3:11:38 | 6:24/km |
| 35 km | 32:08 | 3:43:46 | 6:26/km |
| 40 km | 32:08 | 4:15:54 | 6:26/km |
| Finish | 14:06 | 4:30:00 | 6:26/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.