Place d'Orleans, Ottawa, Ontario

We are pleased to host the 7th Annual Orleans Half Marathon & Runs and thank Place d'Orleans for it's generosity.  We hope you plan to stay after the event and check out the great stores in the mall.

Support Minor Sports, Recreation, and School Physical Education Programs is the theme of this annual Orleans event.

It is a fun and fitness day for everyone in the family at the Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre - and a great chance to support your favourite club, team, organization, or school at the same time.  If you know of a non-profit program that fits into one of these categories, have them check out this FUNdraising opportunity.

There is a race distance for everyone - walk or run, so bring the whole family. Pick your distance, and go for it, at your own speed. Check out the the kids under 11 years event at the Austin Wylie May Day 1 Km.

race director

Terry McKinty - terry@somersault.ca

event highlights

• Strollers are allowed
• Personalized participant number bibs
• Medals for all finishers at the finish line
• Safe measured out and back courses
• New - Official performance certificate available online
• Post race refreshments

a minor sport, recreation, team, club & school FUNdraiser

Any non-profit school, club, team, or physical activity organization can use participation in the Place d'Orleans Half Marathon & Runs for its own benefit.  Achieve your fundraising goals and promote your program by registering as a Participating Charity. You can have fun, help build a strong regional running/walking event, meet your annual fundraising objectives, and support a vibrant children and youth physical activity environment in the region.

how to become a participating charity

It's not too late to become a Participating Charity! Click here to find out how you can register. If you have questions or require more information, please contact Terry McKinty at terry@somersault.ca.

participating charities in 2010 - please consider supporting them

Each Participating Charity is/will be listed below, along with a link to its Web Site, and an optional donation/pledge form which can be downloaded for use by event participants. 

If you wish to support one of these Participating Charities, simply enter the event using this "Enter Now" button. You have the option of making a donation to to 2 of the organizations in the "Donations" box on the entry form, or you can download the Charity Pledge Form below to support one of the organizations below.

     Cumberland Panthers - Web site - Donation/Pledge Form

     KidSport Ottawa - Web Site - Donation/Pledge Form

     Cumberland Cobras U12 Premier Girls - Web Site - Donation/Pledge Form

     Cumberland Cobras U14 Regional Boys - Web Site - Donation/Pledge Form

     Cumberland Cobras, Girls U11 Div 1- Web Site - Donation/Pledge Form

     Your Club/Team/Organization/School can be added here
     (email terry@somersault.ca for information on how to do that)

cumberland-orleans community resource centre
We ask for your support for the great work of the COCRC.  Please bring 2 non-perishable food items with you to Race Kit Pick Up, so you can receive the free souvenir shirt.  If you forget your food donation, you may wish to make a toonie donation at Race Kit Pick Up.

kidsport ottawa - the official charity of the somersault series

KidSport Ottawa is the Official Charity of the 2010 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. For more information on KidSport Ottawa please visit www.kidsport.on.ca/ottawa

a special guest from vancouver

Margaret Benson, 50 year old Cystic Fibrosis survivor and double lung transplant recipient, will be running the 10K in order to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis.  Eleven years ago she was dying of the disease, the number one genetic killer of children and young adults in Canada, Margaret does not want anyone else to suffer from this devastating illness.  She also wants to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation and prove, ORGAN DONATION WORKS. Please give generously to help Margaret fight Cystic Fibrosis. You can make a donation at https://cfvancouver.ca/sponsor_rider.php.

clubs of the event

We are pleased to have two organizations provide us with personnel, expertise, and effort to make the Place d'Orleans Run a good one for the participants. The Bytown Walkers support the 10km and Half Marathon races, while the Cumberland Panthers support the event site and the 1, 3, & 5Km Races. Each of these organizations receives a donation for their contribution. Thank you!

• Bytown Walkers - Website

• Cumberland Panthers - Website

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

Each 2010 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

• Half Marathon - 21.1Km
• 10 Km Run or Walk
• 5Km Run or Walk
• 3Km Run or Walk
• Austin Wylie May Day 1Km Run - Click here for more information

start time

• 8:45 a.m. - 3, 5, 10, & Half Marathon
• 9:50 a.m. - Austin Wylie 1Km

participation categories

junior program

We are proud to continue to build the Junior Program in 2010.  This program is designed to encourage those 12 years and older 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. We have a 3Km and a 5Kmrun in this event for the Juniors.

student discount

Students born in 1986 or later, and enrolled in school during the 2009 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 thrifty, we have a generous early season entry fee discount program. For more information on the early season discounts, trade discounts, and draw prizes, for which early season entrants are eligible, please go to http://www.somersault.ca/earlydiscounts.htm.

free change of entry if you enter by january 31st
Each early season entry received by January 31, 2010, is eligible for one free change to another event in the same calendar year, if the event change request is made by the Sunday April 26th.

Each entry received after January 31, 2010 and before March 15, 2010 is also eligible to change to another event in the same calendar year - if the event change request is made by the Sunday April 25th, but an administration fee of $15 is required.

Please Note: There are no partial refunds if the event change request is to a less expensive event. There will be an additional charge if the change is to an event with a higher entry fee.

entry fee discounts and deadlines

entry fee schedule after discount deadline

entry fee conditions
There are no refunds for any reason - this includes event cancellation or event changes required by circumstances that are beyond our control, such as weather conditions. Credit cards and cheques are only accepted up to Sunday April 25.

All entries after Sunday April 25th can only be made at Race Kit Pick Up and they must be paid in cash. Souvenir shirts are included with your entry up to Sunday, April 25th only - no exceptions.

accreditation, officiating, safety, and medical surcharge
In addition to the entry fee, a surcharge of $4 per entrant is being levied to cover the costs of retaining race officials, safety, and medical personnel costs, and the club of event program.

entering online is recommended
We encourage you to enter online. That way you receive an immediate confirmation of payment. Avoid the hassle of writing a cheque and mailing or dropping off your form, go to www.somersault.ca and enter.

entry drop off locations

• Somersault Promotions, 411 Lefebvre Way, Ottawa

race kit pick up & late entry
Race Kit Pick Up on race day is on the second floor of the Shopping Centre which you can get to from the elevator in the underground garage under the Shopping Centre.

It is very hectic on race day morning, so we recommend and urge you arrive early, at the beginning of the pick up timetable to avoid disappointment!

Race Day Pick Up - Saturday, May 1st
Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre - Community Room
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
2nd Floor beside The Bay at the top of elevator from the underground garage  
 

Race Day Pick Up - Sunday, May 2nd
Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre - Community Room
6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 
2nd Floor beside The Bay at top of elevator from the underground garage  

important deadlines

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
The 'Award Medal Lanyard' must be claimed 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, by Wednesday after each event you will be able go online to the event web site, punch in your race number and obtain a certificate that highlights your race, finish time and place in the race.

souvenir t-shirt
N.B. T-shirts is unisex sizing. Click here for sizing information. If your entry is received by Sunday, April 26 you will receive a free souvenir T-shirt if you attend the event. There are no exceptions to this deadline, so enter early. 

You are eligible for the souvenir shirt only if you attend at Race Kit Pick Up to pick it up. If you do not pick up your race kit, you are not eligible for the souvenir tech t-shirt.  Please do not request a shirt after the event. 

tech shirt option
N.B. Tech shirts are sized by gender. Click here for sizing information. You can upgrade your souvenir event t-shirt to a high quality Tech T-Shirt for an extra $15, but only before the souvenir shirt deadline. The Tech Shirt comes without the sponsor logos on the back, so it 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.
  

Please Note: This year men's Tech Shirt sizing is the same as you would normally wear.

zoomphoto.ca photography
We are pleased to be able to offer a photo program for participants in the Orleans 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.

chimo hotel - the official somersault event hotel
The CHIMO Hotel in Ottawa, is the official Somersault Event Hotel for 2010.  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 a convenient drive from the event site, and close to excellent shopping, restaurants, and National Capital Region attractions. Visit the Chimo Hotel web site(www.chimohotel.com). All rooms come with Free high speed internet access, free local phone calls, a mini-fridge, and coffee maker.

When calling to reserve a room, state that you would like the "Somersault Promotions Preferred Corporate Rate" (plus applicable taxes - 15%).  You can contact the hotel at 1-800-387-9779, or email chimo@chimohotel.com.

carb-boom and gatorade aid stations

Carb-BOOM Gel. Gatorade, and Water will be available at all Aid Stations on each of the run courses. The Aid Stations are located every 2.5Km on all run courses.Carb-BOOM Gel is only available to the half marathon participants.

post race refreshments
Enjoy fruit, a bagel and a drink after the run.

championchip timing 
We use Sportstats ChampionChip Timing at all Somersault races. This timing system requires that all participants wear a ChampionChip Bracelet on their ankle 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 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, 2010)
Your personal results will be posted very soon after you finish the race.  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 only adjusted after race day, if it is our error.  Have the results people make changes before you leave the event site, or live with the results!

Results will be posted at www.somersault.ca within 24 hours of the race.

austin wylie may day run & half marathon program for kids
For information on the Austin Wylie May Day 1Km, please go to Austin Wylie May Day 1Km Run. You can enter the Austin Wylie event from this event page as well as by, using the "Enter Now" button.

Check out the Austin Wylie May Day 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 a half marathon distance over a 1 month period before May 4th and then complete it with their Austin Wylie May Day 1Km Run.

The Champions Challenge program is for those of you who participate in more than one Somersault event, 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 2010 Somersault Run Series race (except the 1Km) is part of the Champions Challenge. Check out how you score points in the Champions Challenge at http://www.somersault.ca/championshipstri.htm.

event schedule - may 2

directions
Take the Queensway East past Orleans on Regional Road 174 to the Place d'Orleans exit off the Queensway.  Turn right at the traffic lights on and then make the next left into Place d'Orleans.. Take the next left and follow the signs to the parking area underground on the North side of the Shopping Centre. (if it is full, park outside the underground parking entrance and walk in through it.

Participants will go up the elevator from the underground parking lot to the 2nd floor where Race Kit Pick Up is located. Awards will also be presented there after the race.

parking
Parking is in the underground garage on the North West side of the Shopping Centre.  If the underground lot is full, park outside the underground parking entrance and walk in to the elevator which take you to the 2nd floor Race Kit Pick Up area - and washrooms.

race kit pick up & late entry
Race Kit Pick Up on race day is on the second floor of the Shopping Centre which you can get to from the elevator in the underground garage under the Shopping Centre.

It is very hectic on race day morning, so we recommend and urge you arrive early, at the beginning of the pick up timetable to avoid disappointment!

Race Day Pick Up - Saturday, May 1
Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre - Community Room
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
2nd Floor beside The Bay at top of elevator from the underground garage  

Race Day Pick Up - Sunday, May 2
Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre - Community Room
6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 
2nd Floor beside The Bay at top of elevator from the underground garage  

course maps and 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.

To go to the course maps, click here

Run Courses - Out and Back
All run course are out and back course, so you get to see your friends and family on the way back.

The starts are all directly in front of the North entrance of Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre and head directly North on Champlain St. to the Ottawa River Recreational Pathway. From here all runners head West on the path to their respective turn around points.

The 5Km runners turn at 2.5Km, the 10Km runners turn at 5Km and the Half marathoners turn at the 10.55Km points, and all return on the same route to the Finish Line in the OC TRanspo Parking Lot on the North side of the Queensway.

Water and Gatorade Stations are positioned every 2.5Km on the course, which is a gentle down hill run for the first kilometre, flat along the Ottawa River recreational pathway, with turn around and return along the same route.

your first run?
Click here to go to our beginner and novice site for assistance.

volunteers
The Orleans Run is a great opportunity for schools or clubs to raise some money by volunteering their members - a fun way to pick up a few hundred dollars.  Email us if you are interested or if your club can provide 10 or more volunteers - info@somersault.ca. For more information on our volunteer program, please go to http://www.somersault.ca/volunteers.htm.

race info updates
We will email 3 weekly Orleans Half Marathon & Runs 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.