'I feel accomplished': Thousands cross the finish line during Ottawa Race Weekend
It was a proud moment for Shamiso Kunaka as she crossed the finish line for the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon.
"I feel accomplished," Kunaka said.
Kunkaka joined more than 11,000 runners on Sunday morning for the full and half marathons at the 2023 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
Participants coming from near and far over the course of two days. The full and half-marathon routes took runners past Parliament Hill, over to Gatineau and along the Rideau Canal.
"It is the best weekend of the year," Kathy van Zeyl said. "All my friends are running, all of Ottawa is running and everyone is amazing. We are so excited for them."
Making every moment count is Ottawa's Sindy Hooper and her team.
"We are running for Sindy. Sindy Hooper, who is amazing and has inspired all of us," said Alexandra McCabe.
Hooper was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2013. The avid runner participated in the 5K race on Saturday. More than 200 runners on her team raised crucial funds for pancreatic research and treatment.
"So happy; so thankful for everyone's support," she said.
More than 27,500 people crossed this finish line over the weekend. Organizers say they saw a 10 per cent increase in participants from the last year. The local economy benefits from the weekend's festivities.
After hours of gruelling running, friends Ifeanyi Umeh and Tuvi MraKapor basked in their accomplishment at the finish line.
"We've been practising since last year. We started with 3K and now we somehow made it to 21K," said Umeh.
"It was hard but it was fun," said Mrakapoor. “We're going to be back next year for sure.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.