'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
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.