Ottawa Race Weekend 2025: Road Closures, Transit Impacts, and Weather Updates
Over 36,500 runners and walkers are lacing up for this year’s Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, happening May 24–25, 2025. But before you head out—whether to run or cheer—make sure you know the latest on road closures, transit detours, and weather conditions.
Major Road Closures: What You Need to Know
Road closures will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. and affect Laurier Avenue West, Elgin Street, and parts of Centretown, stretching down the Rideau Canal to Dows Lake.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Saturday, May 24 (Kids, 2K, 5K, 10K races):
- Closures begin at 11 a.m.
- Affected areas include Laurier Ave W, Elgin St, O’Connor, Wellington, and Pretoria Bridge
- Most roads reopen by 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 (Half Marathon and Marathon):
- Closures start early at 5 a.m., especially around Ottawa City Hall
- By 9 a.m., closures reach areas like Island Park Drive, Hog’s Back Park, and Manor Park
- Most reopen by 3 p.m., with a full return to normal expected by late afternoon
Major roads impacted both days include:
- Colonel By Drive
- Queen Elizabeth Drive
- MacKenzie Ave
- Sussex Drive
- Sir George Étienne Cartier Parkway
- Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway
- Chaudière Bridge
Tip: A full map of the closures is available on the Ottawa Race Weekend website.
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OC Transpo & Transit Changes
OC Transpo will have major detours throughout the weekend, affecting both day and night routes.
Key Changes:
- Saturday: Detours from 10:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
- Sunday: Detours start at 4:30 a.m., with no service to Gatineau from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Routes impacted include: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 56, 85, N39, N45, N57, N61, N98
- Para Transpo trips may face delays
- O-Train Line 1 and 2 will start early at 5 a.m. on Sunday and run double-car trains
Check OC Transpo Alerts for updates.
Weather Forecast: Bring a Jacket (and Maybe an Umbrella)
Runners, pack layers—this year’s event will be cooler than usual.
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- Friday, May 23: Showers. High 11°C.
- Saturday: 70% chance of rain. High 12°C.
- Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds with a 30% chance of rain. High 17°C.
While it’s not ideal for a picnic, cooler temps can help with long-distance running. Just keep an eye on those rain chances, especially on Saturday.
Bonus: Other Events Impacting Traffic
Planning to be out and about? A few other events might make travel trickier:
- Great Glebe Garage Sale: Saturday across central Ottawa. Expect congestion and limited parking until late afternoon.
- Odawa Native Friendship Centre’s 50th Anniversary Powwow: Running all weekend near St. Laurent Blvd.
- Royal Visit: The King and Queen will be in Ottawa Monday and Tuesday, with additional closures expected.
Heading downtown this weekend? Plan ahead for delays, pack for rain, and check your transit options twice.
Will you be cheering from the sidelines or racing through the streets this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/2025-ottawa-race-weekend-road-closures-1.7540745
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/here-is-the-forecast-for-tamarack-ottawa-race-weekend-in-ottawa
- https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/city-news/newsroom/expect-some-traffic-disruptions-during-tamarack-ottawa-race-weekend-1
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