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

The Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon and Ottawa Fall Colours Half Marathon have received official certification by Athletics Canada and Run Canada and are considered official distance events.  The course was measured and certified by Bernie Conway, National Course Certifier, IAAF Grade A Measurer, and USATF/RRTC Final Signatory.

This certification along with our ChampionChip Timing means that the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon may be used as a "Qualifier for the Boston Marathon".  Qualification is automatic if the Boston Qualifying standard is met during this race.

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 true country setting and rural estate home courses.  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.

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, a certified course, was chosen for its picturesque and challenging loop course… like none other in Ontario. Nicely nestled into 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 Canadian Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon,and the Canadian Marathon and Half Marathon are qualifiers for the 2012 New York City Marathon (through the marathon or the half marathon races).

race director
Christine McKinty - info@somersault.ca

tourism info

www.ottawatourism.ca
 

event highlights

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

michael ryan's most excellent 1km turkey trot
Click here to go to the Michael 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 Michael Ryan's Most Excellent Turkey Trot 1Km Run site as well, for information on an exciting new kids' program for home or school, that allows kids to enter a running program that sees them run 20km over a 1 month period by October 5th and then complete the Half Marathon with Michael Ryan's Most Excellent Turkey Trot 1Km Run - and receive that Half Marathon Certificate and medal! (Please send us an email at christine@somersault.ca if you plan on participating in our 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

cumberland jr. grads hockey team fundraiser
We are pleased to welcome the Cumberland Jr. Grads Minor Midget AA Hockey Team as a 'Charity of the Event'. We invite you to click and download a Pledge Form, which you can use to collect pledges on behalf of the team, in support of its 2012-2012 program.  Click here for a form.

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     
• Ottawa Fall Colours Half Marathon - 21.1 Km Run
• Ottawa 10 Km Run 
• Ottawa 5 Km Run 
• Ottawa 3Km Run
• Michael Ryan 1.0 Km Run (click here)

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.

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.  Runners who do not cross the half way point in the marathon in less than 2:30 (3:00 for those who take the optional 9:00 a.m. start), will be asked to leave the course, and will receive an official Half Marathon finish time. 

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 an 9:00 a.m. start time in the Marathon.

We accept marathon participants who expect to run the marathon distance between 5 and 6 hours, however, you will be given this earlier 9:00 a.m. start time. Early starters may be running on your own for awhile as the course is being set up. Please contact us if you plan to walk or run between a 5 and 6 hour pace, and we will book a 9:00 a.m. start time for you.

Half Marathon '2 Hours or Slower' Participants - Please Note!
Half Marathon walkers and runners who are on a 2 hour (or slower) pace will walk/run the out and back half marathon certified course, instead of the loop course. If you do not reach the 10.55 Km mi-point point by 11:50 a.m., you will be turned around at the 10.55Km point.

The first half of this out and back course is exactly the same for all Half Marathon participants. Both the full loop and the out and back Half Marathon courses are measured and certified. The out and back course is the same as the 2nd half of the 2nd loop of the marathon course.

The out and back course ensures that the walkers and slower runners have lots of company and are on a safe route.

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/.

Therefor 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 relays - pairs, fours, & eights

That's right, you can participate in marathon, as a team of relay runners.  You can choose the 2 person team (each does a half marathon)or the 4 person team (each does approximately 10Km, with the last runner doing 12.2Km). There are Male, Female, and Coed Teams in each division.  Coed teams with less than 50% female content, compete as male teams.

wheelchair marathon & half marathon
We are pleased to offer theWheelchair category, but advise potential participants it may be a challenging course for wheelchairs.

Those considering entering the Marathon or Half Marathon Wheelchair category should be aware that the course has a tough uphill section, which may be difficult to complete.  Please review the course elevations (below) to assure yourself that you can complete this hilly section.

junior program

We are proud to continue 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.  Likewise, smoking is not permitted either.

student discount

Students born in 1988 or later, and enrolled in school during the 2012 year, receive a 40% discount on the entry fee.

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 higher than the Online Entry Deadline fee , and must be paid in cash.

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. We will award the overall, and masters winners - 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.

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.

eLoad aid stations

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

eLoad Gel will be available to Marathon and Half Marathon participants only, at every second aid station.

souvenir tech shirt - marathon, half marathon, & 2 person relay
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, & 4 or 8 person marathon relays
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 Long Sleeve 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.

chimo hotel - the official somersault event hotel

The CHIMO Hotel in Ottawa, is the official Somersault Event Hotel for 2012.  The CHIMO is conveniently located directly off Highway 417, via the St. Laurent Blvd. North exit. The hotel address is 1199 Joseph Cyr Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1J 7T4.

The hotel is 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".  You can contact the hotel at 1-800-387-9779, or email chimo@chimohotel.com.

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 on 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 eLoad at the finish line. There will be a post run meal as well for all half marathon, and marathon participants.

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 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

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 a toonie per adult. 

race kit pick up & late registration
It is highly recommended that you pick up your race kit at one of the pre-race opportunities, 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 5th

CHIMO Hotel

3:00 -7:00 p.m.

1199 Joseph Cyr St.
Ottawa, Canada

Saturday October 6th
CHIMO Hotel

1:00 -3:00 p.m.

1199 Joseph Cyr St.
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 down the road.

course maps & how to view
Somersault event maps are featured through the Google Maps service.  Participants may easily view course maps using your Explorer or Firefox browsers.

Click here for instructions on how to best view the course maps

Click here for a map of all courses (except 1Km).

The starts of all races are on the Museum grounds (see site map below).

All finishes are on the Museum grounds at a common finish line (see site map below).It is important to note that all races finish with one lap of the museum grounds. This may not be obvious from the maps, but be mentally prepared to do that 700m loop to the finish line after entering the Museum grounds :-).

All runs/walks head East away from the Museum on Old Montreal Rd. from the race start lines.

The Marathon (click here for the map) runners go once around the Museum grounds and then exit onto Old Montreal Rd., turning right. They complete the entire red loop once, and then half way the red loop a second time, to a turn around point on Milburn Dr. They then return back along the red route to the Museum completing a full loop of the Museum grounds to the Finish.

The Half Marathon (click here for the map) runners complete a half a loop of the Museum grounds and then exit onto Montreal Rd, turning right. They then follow the red route back a-to the Museum, completing one loop of the grounds to the Finish Line. Walkers and slower runners complete an out and back course on the red loop rather than the complete loop.

The 10Km Run Course (click here for the map) starts at the same point on the Museum Grounds as the Half Marathon and follows the purple route on the map.  The course is now an out and back course which turns around at the water station on Lough Dr. where runners returning on the same route and complete one lap of the Museum grounds to the Finish Line.

The 5Km Course (click here for the map) is an out and back loop course that completes a loop of the Museum grounds and then exits the Museum. Runners turn right onto Old Montreal Rd. and then right again onto Pierrette Dr, left on Des Trembles Ave., right onto Pierrette Dr., right onto Lockwood Lane, left onto Pierrette and right on Ernside Cr. From here, runners then turn left onto Pierrette, and left onto Old Montreal Rd. and then head back to the Museum for one loop of the grounds to the Finish Line.

The 3Km Course (click here for the map) starts at the same place as the 5Km Run, and runners run directly to the exit of the Museum grounds and turn right onto Old Montreal Rd. They then turn 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, where they  complete one lap of the grounds to the Finish Line.

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

course profile
Click here to view the course profile!

Click here to view a quick video run-through of the course!

event site
The event site map below, identifies more clearly, the actual location of the race starts on the Museum grounds.



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 3 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.