New Course for the ING Ottawa Marathon
December 7, 2007 - Ottawa, ON - Organizers of the ING Ottawa Marathon today confirmed that already elite athletes from the 2006 event are flocking back to face off on May 27 next year. The 2006 champion Abderrahime Bouramdane (Morocco) will race Amos Tirop Matui (Kenya), Kasime Adillo Roba (Ethiopia), David Cheruiyot (Kenya) and top Canadian Matthew McInnes for the crown.

On the women's side, Canadian marathon champion Lioudmila Kortchaguina - who this year smashed a 16-year old course record with her time of 2:29:42 - is confirmed to return to the event. She will face Helena Kiprop (Kenya) who placed 3rd in the 2006 event, and second-seed Canadian marathoner Nicole Stevenson.

"In less than ten years, the ING Ottawa Marathon has become the top Canadian location for international athletes and a must on the North American running circuit," says Manuel Rodrigues, Elite Athletes Coordinator. "Athletes keep coming back for the prize money, the course and the overall experience. Having Matui and Bouramdane already confirmed only attest to that."

NEW COURSE FOR ING OTTAWA MARATHON

Organizers confirmed today that a new course has been established for 2007. The new route for the ING Ottawa Marathon and ING Ottawa Half Marathon will take runners further into Gatineau (Quebec) and will eliminate many of the turns in the first half of the race. In addition, the route changes enable organizers to answer the call from runners for an earlier start time for the ING Ottawa Half Marathon. By far the weekend's most popular event with over 8,000 runners, the ING Ottawa Half Marathon will start at 8:30 a.m. next year.

"These changes to the race route are part of our constant efforts to improve the overall event," said Race Director John Halvorsen. "Each year, we investigate new and better routes to give our participants the fastest, flattest and most scenic course. This is why our event has grown by 400% since 1996."

ABOUT THE OTTAWA RACE WEEKEND

The Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada's premier running festival, combines competition, participation and fundraising to make a distinctive contribution to the health of the community. Over 30,000 participants are expected for the 2007 events, which include the ING Ottawa Marathon and the MDS Nordion 10K. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors.

For more information, please contact: Laurie Davison, Marketing Manager

613.234.2221 (CELL: 613-277-2980)

media@runottawa.ca

Anick Losier, Promotions Director

613.241.7860, x4004

alosier@cihi.ca