Athletics Canada/Run Canada Certification - ON-2002-078-BDC

The Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon and Ottawa Fall Colours Half Marathon are certified by Athletics Canada and Run Canada and are considered official distance events.  The courses were measured by Dave Yaeger, and certified by Bernie Conway, National Course Certifier, IAAF Grade A Measurer, and USATF/RRTC Final Signatory.

This certification along with the ChampionChip Timing means that the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon may be used as a "Qualifier for the Boston Marathon", and the new York City Marathon and Half Marathon.  Qualification is automatic if the Boston Qualifying standard is met during this race. The traditional courses have been changed this year, with the runs being on the same route but are now an out and back course for the half marathon (instead of the former loop course), and a double out and back course for the marathon.

We have something for everyone, and the setting for the runs, is the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa. It is a turn-of-the-century village with all the trappings we need to make this Thanksgiving extravaganza one with a Canadian heritage flavour. It's right here in Ottawa, but in a country setting among fars and rural estate homes.  The elements of the classic big city marathons will be there, with an intimate humble, country Thanksgiving flavour.

Enjoy a run (or walk!) at your distance, and at your speed, through a countryside of estate homes, farms and magnificent views - at the 2012 Ottawa Fall Colours Runs.

Parking is at a premium at this event, and is $5.00 per car, payable as you enter the parking lot - correct change will ease the line up to get in. Car pool if possible.

ontario masters half marathon championship
The 2012 Ottawa Fall Colours Half Marathon is the official Ontario Master’s Athletics (OMA) Half Marathon Championships.

The Fall Colours Half Marathon, on a certified course, is picturesque and challenging, and is like no other in Ontario. Nestled in the East Ottawa country side, 'Fall Colours' has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many.

In addition to Ottawa Fall Colours age group awards, participating OMA members will qualify for OMA award medals. The first three in each age group from 30-34 and up are eligible. Only OMA members qualify for its award category medals, and age is determined as of the day of the race. This is different from the Ottawa Fall Colours races which determine age as of December 31, 2012.

2012 boston marathon and new york city marathon qualifier

Yes, the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon (and Half Marathon) are offcial qualifiers for the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon and Half Marathon.

race director
Christine McKinty - info@somersault.ca

tourism info

www.ottawatourism.ca
 

event highlights

• New Marathon  & Half Marathon Courses in 2012
• Medals for all finishers at the finish line
• Student Discounts
• Walker's are welcome in Half Marathon or shorter races
• Run Canada & Athletics Canada certified courses
• Beautiful and challenging run courses
• Personalized participant bib numbers
• Boston Marathon Qualifier
• New York City Marathon Qualifier
• Official performance certificates available online

wylie ryan's most excellent 1km turkey trot
Click here to go to the Wylie Ryan's Most Excellent Turkey Trot page for information and entry forms for this 1.0 Km event for kids up to 11 years of age.

Check out the Wylie Ryan's Most Excellent Turkey Trot 1Km Run web site as well, for information on the exciting kids' half marathon program (for home or school), that allows kids to enroll in a running program that sees them run 20km over a 1 month period before October 7th and then complete the Half Marathon at the Wylie Ryan's Most Excellent Turkey Trot 1Km Run.  Kids who complete the program receive a Half Marathon Certificate and medal! (Please send us an email at christine@somersault.ca if you plan on participating in the kids Half-Marathon event, so we can properly acknowledge you with a Certificate, and Medal Presentation on race day!)

kidsport ottawa - official charity of the event and the series

Somersault is proud to announce that KidSport Ottawa is the Official Charity of the 2012 Somersault Event Series - ‘So All Kids Can Play!’

KidSport Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children and youth living in the City of Ottawa overcome the social and economic barriers limiting or preventing their participation in sport. This is achieved through the issuance of registration fees and/or equipment grants.

As a Somersault event participant you have the opportunity to support KidSport Ottawa by choosing to make a donation when you are entering online, or by clicking here to download a Pledge Form, which you can use for collecting donations from friends and neighbours before the event, and submit them to a KidSport Ottawa representative when you arrive at the event.

For more information on KidSport Ottawa please visit www.kidsport.on.ca/ottawa

The Champions Challenge program is for those of you who participate in more than one Somersault Run Series race, and who might be interested in seeing how you stack up against others in overall, gender and gender age group categories, in the somersault Run Series.

Each 2012 somersault Run Series race is part of the Champions Challenge. Check out how you can score points in the Champions Challenge at http://www.somersault.ca/championshipstri.htm

events & distances

• Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon & Relay - 42.2 Km Run (New course in 2012)      
• Ottawa Fall Colours Half Marathon - 21.1 Km Run (New course in 2012)
• Ottawa 10 Km Run 
• Ottawa 5 Km Run 
• Ottawa 3Km Run
• Wylie Ryan 1.0 Km Run (click here)

official hotels

We are pleased to announce the official hotels for the OTTAWA FALL COLOURS MARATHON & DUATHLON are the Chimo Inn - Ottawa, and the Quality Inn - 10th Line, Orleans . They are cosest to the event site.

The CHIMO Hotel is conveniently located directly off Highway 417, via the St. Laurent Blvd. exit, about 20Km from the race site. The hotel address is 1199 Joseph Cyr Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1J 7T4.

The CHIMO Hotel is close to excellent shopping, restaurants, and National Capital Region attractions. Visit the Chimo Hotel web site (www.chimohotel.com). All rooms come with free parking, free high speed internet access, free local phone calls, a mini-fridge, and coffee maker.

If you are attending or have attended a Somersault event in 2012 you are eligible for the "Somersault Promotions Preferred Corporate Rate - $105.00 + taxes ".  You can contact the hotel at 1-800-387-9779, or email chimo@chimohotel.com .

The Quality Inn is located 10Km from the event site.  It can be found at 3363 St. Joseph Blvd.c. jUST take the 10th Line exit off highway 174 (Queensway) and you will see it on the Soutn side of the Queensway. They can be contacted at 1- 613 - 834-3938. They too have an exxcellent rate.

start time
The start time of the first race the Marathon is 10:00 a.m. See the start times for the other races, below in the "Race Day Information" section.

New Marathon & Half Marathon Courses

We have made the courses more friendly by moving from the one loop format to an out and back design this year. The half marathon does an out and back course, while the marathoners do a double out and back route on the same course.

Marathon Time Limit - 5 Hours (6 Hours with an optional 9:00 a.m. start)

Due to the nature of the marathon course, and our concern for the safety of all runners, there is a time limit of 5 hours to complete the Marathon. 

Marathon Runners - Early Start Time - 9:00 a.m.
If you are not sure you can complete the marathon within the 5 hour time limit, we encourage you to attempt the Half Marathon instead - or contact us at info@somersault.ca, to book a 9:00 a.m. early start time in the Marathon.

We accept marathon participants who expect to run the marathon distance at no more than 5 hours (or 6 hours with the early start). Please contact us if you plan to run between a 5 and 6 hour pace, and we will book a 9:00 a.m. start time for you.

participation categories - age as of december 31, 2012

your age for award category purposes - please note

Ottawa Fall Colours race age categories are determined by your age on December 31, 2012.

OMA Masters Half Marathon Championship age categories are determined by your age on race day, October 7, 2012. You must be a member of the OMA to be eligible for the OMA Half Marathon Championship awards.  You can learn more about, or join the OMA at http://www.ontariomastersathletics.ca/.

Therefore there may be different 'age group winners' in the Fall Colours Half Marathon results, and the OMA Masters Half Marathon Championship age category results.  Results for both races will be posted, and place medals will be awarded in both races.

marathon  'fours' relay

You can participate in the marathon, as a team of 4 relay runners.  There are Male, Female, and Coed Team catories  in the relay.  Coed teams with less 2 female runners, compete as male teams.

junior program

We are proud to continue to build the Junior Program in 2012.  This program is designed to encourage those 12 - 19 years to participate, by including 2 year categories beginning at 13 & under, up to 18-19.  Athletes in these categories will feel comfortable in Somersault events, and are automatically ranked in the Junior Champions Challenge.

no pets and no smoking event
Dogs and other pets are not allowed at this event.  Smoking is not permitted on the Museum grounds.

student discount

Students born in 1988 or later, and enrolled in school during the 2012 year, receive a 40% discount on the entry fee. Please provide the name of your school on the entry form to be eligible for the student discount.

early season entry fee discounts
As a courtesy to those of you who enter many Somersault events, who plan well ahead, or who are just thrifty, we have a generous early season entry fee discount program. The discount schedule is outlined below. For more information on the early season discounts, trade discounts, and draw prizes, please go to http://www.somersault.ca/earlydiscounts.htm.

entry fee discounts deadlines

entry fee schedules
Click on the "Enter Now"button at the top of the page to view the entry fee schedule. 

late entries accepted on race weekend

We accept race weekend entries. After the Online Entry Deadline has passed (Sunday Midnight before the event), participants may still enter at Race Kit Pick Up on race weekend.  The entry fee for race weekend entry is slightly higher than the Online Entry Deadline fee , and must be paid in cash. Late entrants are not eligible for the 'fee' souvenir shirt.

entry fee conditions

There are no refunds for any reason - this includes event cancellation or event changes. Credit cards are accepted for online entries only, up to Sunday September 30th.

Entries received after Sunday September 30th, must be made at a Race Kit Pick Up time and location and must be paid in cash. Souvenir shirts are included free with your entry, up to Sunday September 30th - no exceptions. Those who enter after Sunday September 30th do not receive a souvenir shirt.

important deadlines

marathon or half marathon course records - $250
We are offering cash prizes in the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon and Half Marathon for record breakers in the Open and Masters men's and Women's categories. We will award the overall, and masters winners only - male and female - of either race with a cash prize of $250 if he/she establishes a new course record.

awards and prizes
Everyone
All participants receive a completion medal at the finish line of their race.

Race Winners
The first place male and female solo winner of each race, receives a merchandise prize.

Top 3 Overall
The first three overall finishers in each race - male and female - will be honoured in an award presentation ceremony that will take place in the Awards Area shortly after they finish.

Category Top 3 Finishers
Each Age, Weight, and Relay Category top 3 finishers, is eligible for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze 'Award Medal Lanyard'. This 'Award Medal Lanyard' must be picked up on race day, any time after the results are posted at the Awards Table, or at an Award Ceremony.

Award Medal Lanyard Must Be Picked Up on Race Day
Check the official results to see if you finished in the top 3 in your category, and then you may claim your 'Award Medal Lanyard' at the Awards Table or at the Awards Ceremony.

If you do not receive your 'Award Medal Lanyard' on race day, you may send a self addressed, stamped envelope indicating the award, to 'Somersault, 411 Lefebvre Way, Ottawa, K1E 2W5', and one will be mailed to you.

official performance certificate
We are pleased to offer each race finisher, the opportunity to download and print an official certificate of their event performance. That's right, after each event you will be able to go to http://www.eventsonline.ca/fc/somersault.html, punch in your race number and obtain a certificate that highlights your race, finish time and place in the race.

somersault iTab

You will LOVE the new Somersault event finishers’ medals!  Complete your race day experience with an iTaB .  Personalize your medal with your will your Name and Finish Time engraved on a small plate which fits neatly in to the back of your finishers’ medal. After the event, don’t forget to order your iTab.Check it out –CLICK HERE - to complete your iTaB order.

record holders
Marathon

Half Marathon

event services
Medical - Qualified medical staff will be on site, at the finish line and roving on the run courses.

Massage Therapy - Student RMT's from the International Academy of Massage will be on site for half marathoners and marathoners, in return for donations to KidSport Ottawa.

Toilets - There will be 24 portable toilets on site this year - by popular demand, and there will be toilets at the 10Km, 21.1km and 31.1km points on the half marathon and marathon courses.

Timing - ChampionChip Timing courtesy of Sportstats will be in place. In addition to finish times, we will also post marathon runners half marathon splits.

aid stations

Aid stations will be placed every 2.5 Km along all run courses as well as at the Finish Line. Water and an electrolyte fluid will be available to participants in all races at these stations.

Eload Gel will be available to Marathon and Half Marathon participants only, every 5Km.

souvenir tech shirt - marathon, & half marathon
Tech Shirts are sized by gender. Click here for sizing information. All marathon participants receive a souvenir Tech T-Shirt with your entry, if the entry is received by Sunday September 30th, and if you attend the event.

souvenir t-shirt - 3Km, 5Km, 10Km, marathon relay
T-shirts are unisex sizing. Click here for sizing information. If your entry is received by Sunday, September 30th you will receive a free souvenir T-shirt if you attend the event.

If you do not pick up your race kit and souvenir t-shirt on race weekend, please do not request a shirt after the event. 

You may wish to upgrade to a high quality Tech T-Shirt for an extra $15. The Tech Shirt makes a first class casual wear shirt. You are only eligible for the souvenir Tech T-Shirt, if you upgrade to the Tech Shirt when entering online, and if you pick up your race kit by event day.

pre-event pasta

Darcy McGee's pub in Orleans at 260 Centrum Blvd. (613-841-4784), just 10Km from the race site and only a short walk from the Quality Inn will be offering a 15% discount on meals to participants in the Ottawa Fall Colours races, on Saturday.  Why not drop in with you friends and enjoy a pre-event meal. You will require either your participant bib, or the Darcy McGee's flyer which will be in your participant kit.

Many of us will retire to Darcy McGee's after the event on Sunday as well, after the Marathon finish, if you wish to join us there and tell your race stories - or not.

zoomphoto.ca photography
We are pleased to be able to offer a photo program for participants in the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon, Half Marathon, 10, 5, & 1Km Runs.  Zoomphoto will be offering you classy photos commemorating your participation.  Just go to http://www.somersault.ca/results.htm the day after the event for your photo.

expo
There will be an Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon Expo at the race site on race day and at Race Kit Pick Up the day before at the Heritage Village Museum.  Those interested in participating in the Expo, should contact Christine at info@somersault.ca for more information on booth rentals.

food and refreshments
All participants can look for fruit, bagels, water, and Gatorade at the finish line. There will be a post run lunch for all half marathon, and marathon participants as they finish.

championchip timing - by sportstats  
We use ChampionChip Timing at all Somersault races.  This timing system requires that all participants wear a ChampionChip Bracelet on your ankle (Anklet) during the race.  This bracelet contains a computer chip that allows you to be timed.  No chip = no time.

You are responsible for obtaining your ChampionChip Ankle Bracelet on race morning from the timing people at the Sportstats Tent near the Finish Line.  Do this at least 30 minutes before your race - earlier is better!  Races will not be held up waiting for those who forgot their bracelet.

You must return your ChampionChip Bracelet immediately after you cross the finish line.  You are responsible for the cost if it is not returned - and it is expensive.

your results (Age is as of December 31, 2012)
Your personal results will be posted very soon after you finish the race at the race site.  Please check the results as soon as you can, to be sure they are accurate.  If  there are discrepancies, go to the Sportstats van near the Finish Line and provide them with the information you think is correct.  Results will not be adjusted after race day.  Have Sportstats make changes before you leave the event site. Results will be posted at http://www.somersault.ca/resultsrun.htm the evening of the race.

event day schedule

directions
Take the Queensway East past Orleans on Regional Road 174 to the Village of Cumberland.  Turn South at the traffic lights on Cameron St. and make the next left onto Old Montreal Rd. Head East (left) on Old Montreal Rd. until you reach the Heritage Village Museum (approx. 2Km). If you are coming from the East, take Highway 17 (Regional Rd. 174) and take the same turnoff.

pay parking - $5.00 per car - correct change please

The only parking available at the race site at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is on the grounds of the Museum. There will be a charge for parking of $5.00 per car - payable as you enter the lot.  We ask that you bring correct change to speed things up. We are not charging a toonie per adult to enter the grounds as in the past.  The parking fee allows us a budget from which to pay the parking attendants we have to hire for the day.  

race kit pick up & late registration
It is highly recommended that you pick up your race kit prior to the event, rather than on race day.  Race morning is very hectic and it can be wet or cold at our outdoor Race Day Race Pick Up site.

Friday October 5

Aviation & Space Museum

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Aviation Parkway

Ottawa, Canada

Saturday October 6
Aviation & Space Museum

Noon - 2:00 p.m.

Aviation Parkway

Ottawa, Canada

Sunday October 7th
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Old Montreal Rd., Cumberland Village
Ottawa, Canada

how to get the cumberland heritage village museum
Click here to use the course and site map for directions to the event site. Click on Hybrid or Map, and then use the Zoom Out function on the map, to find your route.

Take Regional Road 174 or Highway 17 East - 5 minutes East of 10th Line exit - At a set of lights  turn  right on Cameron St. This intersection is the Cumberland /Masson Ferry crossing. At the next stop sign turn left onto Old Montreal Road and follow Old Montreal Road East to the Museum which is about 2Km East on Old Montreal Rd.

course maps
New Somersault course maps will be available soon, once the new courses have been certified. The starts and finishes of all races are on the Museum grounds. Verbal descriptions can be found below. 

All starts and finishes are on the Museum grounds.

All runs leave the Museum grounds, turning right on Old Montreal Rd. and heading East.

Run Course Maps will be posted once the courses have been measured and certified.

The Marathon and Half Marathon courses (CLICK HERE for the course map) are out and back, with the marathon completing a double out and back of the half marathon course which includes a 200M extension on Kinsella Dr. at Lough (see map).  The half marathon (and marathon) course leaves the Museum grounds and turns right (East) onto Old  Montreal Rd., then right again onto Pierrette Dr. It travels along Pierrette Dr. to the East end of Pierrette, and then turns right again onto Old Montreal Rd.  It follows OldMontreal Rd. (East) to Kinsella Dr., where it turns right.  It follows Kinsella and turns right onto Lough Dr. which it follows to Wilhaven Dr.  It turns right onto Wilhaven and follows Wilhaven through the intersection at Dunning Rd. and it turns right off Wilhaven onto Royal Maple Dr. It then turns left at Minogue Dr. and right onto Milburn Cr.  The course travels along Milburn to the 10.55Km turn around, and then returns to the museum on the same route to the Half Marathon finish.  Marathon participants repeat the above loop a second time, and finish as well on the Museum grounds

The 10Km Run Course (CLICK HERE for the course map) starts on the Museum grounds and is an out and back course that follows the above Half Marathon course, but it turns around at the 5Km point on Lough Dr., returning to the Museum finish line.

The 5Km Course (CLICK HERE for the course map) starts on the Museum grounds, and is an out and back course. It completes one lap of the Museum Rd. and leaves the Museum grounds to turn right onto Old Montreal Rd. It then turns right onto Pierrette Dr., left on Des Trembles Ave., right onto Pierrette Dr., and right onto Lockwood Lane.  It then turns left onto Pierrette, right onto Ernside, left onto Pierrette and back to Old Montreal Rd. where it turns left and returns to the Museum finish line.

The 3Km Course (CLICK HERE for the course map) starts on the Museum grounds, and leaves the grounds to turn right onto Old Montreal Rd. It then turns right off Old Montreal Rd. onto Pierrette Dr, left on Des Trembles Ave., right onto Pierrette Dr., and right onto Lockwood Lane.  They then turn right onto Pierrette and retrace their route back to the Museum Finish Line.

The 1Km Turkey Trot Course (CLICK HERE for the course map) will do a little more than one full loop of the Museum grounds, returning to the Finish Line.

event site
On the event site map below the Marathon and half Marathon Start Lines will be changed in the near future to accommodate the new half marathon and marathon courses .  Be sure to check this site map the week before the event so you will be familiar with the actual location of your race start on the Museum grounds. The Ikm, 3Km, and 5Km Start Lines are accurate on the map below and will not change.



Cumberland Heritage Village Museumhttp://ottawa.ca/residents/heritage/museums/cumberland/index_en.html.

All entrants are required to be familiar with the "General Information", "Rules and Procedures" and the "What's New" information sections. There is some information in these sections that may not be on this event information page, so please click and read the appropriate buttons on the left even if you are familiar with the event, as there can be changes!  It is a good idea to re-read event information the week before the event to be sure nothing has changed.

your first race?
Click here to go to our beginners and novices page for assistance.

volunteers
If your kids, spouse, family members or friends are spectating, they may wish to volunteer and have some fun too!  Email us ahead of time if you can help, and we will see if we can fit you in - info@somersault.ca. For more information on our volunteer program, please go to http://www.somersault.ca/volunteers.htm.

Clubs, teams and non-profit organizations are invited to inquire about our volunteer donation program - a donation in return for a group of members volunteering for the day.

race info updates
We will email 2 weekly Fall Colours Newsletters to participants, with the latest updates prior to the race.  These newsletters are very important as they will identify  changes, answer your questions, and recommend race day procedures that will make your event day a better one. 

Please provide an accessible email address on your entry form if you wish to receive these Newsletters. You may want to use a personal email address rather than your work email, because many employers utilize filters that will not let the Newsletter through.