Ottawa LRT Line 1 service starting early on Ottawa Marathon day
The City of Ottawa says service on the Confederation Line LRT will launch early on the day of the Ottawa Marathon to make it easier for runners and spectators to get downtown.
Typically, the east-west LRT line doesn't start operations until 8 a.m. on Sundays, but the marathon's start time is 7 a.m. Last year, several people noted that the train wasn't running until the marathon had already started, but the city said the O-Train's maintenance schedule prevented them from launching trains earlier.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
This year, trains will be running between Tunney's Pasture and Blair stations starting at 5 a.m. on May 26, two hours before the marathon's start time. O-Train Line 1 will run as scheduled on Saturday, May 25, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
"We are thrilled to be able to partner with OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa to bring early opening of the O-Train Line 1 at 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 26," said Run Ottawa executive director Mike Vieira in a news release. "As thousands of eager runners, volunteers, and spectators converge for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, Run Ottawa extends a warm invitation to all participants to take advantage of this environmentally conscious and convenient way to get downtown. Let's skip the traffic and use public transit to make race weekend a smooth ride for everyone!"
The starting line for the 2024 Tartan Ottawa International Marathon is near the corner of Laurier Avenue West and Elgin Street. Rideau and uOttawa stations are the closest LRT stations to the starting line.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Ottawa Marathon. The City of Ottawa says this is the first time in several years the marathon has reached maximum capacity.
"Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is an enormously popular event and with O-Train Line 1 opening early this year, it is easy to get to the race using transit," said Transit Commission Chair Coun. Glen Gower. "Whether paying your fare by credit card or taking advantage of the many O-Train Stations that are a short walk away from the event, OC Transpo is your most convenient, eco-friendly, affordable and stress-free choice. I would like to wish all those joining us at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend a successful race."
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend runs May 25-26, with 2K, 5K, 10K races and the kids' marathon on Saturday and the full and half-marathons on Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Slovakia's populist prime minister shot in assassination attempt, shocking Europe before elections
The Slovak defence minister says doctors are fighting for the life of the country's prime minister, who was shot multiple times after a political event Wednesday afternoon.
Transport Canada's UFO 'lead' planned to meet with U.S. intel officials, called info requests a 'wild goose chase'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver handed a cell phone ticket for using points app in McDonald's drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
'The Fly' has become notorious in France after a brazen escape. What's his criminal history?
A prisoner nicknamed “The Fly” has become notorious in France overnight after a daring and bloody escape from a prison convoy in Normandy that left two guards dead.
BREAKING Ontario's 'crypto king' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
BREAKING Barge hits a bridge in Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
A barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a small island, officials said.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
Latest updates on the biggest wildfires burning in Canada
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
OPINION Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here's how to stay focused: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.