CBC News | Posted: May 28, 2023 8:30 PM | Last Updated: May 29, 2023
Ethiopian racers grabbed 1st in both men's, women's marathon Sunday
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend 2023
Caption: Runners pass Parliament Hill as they start the half-marathon of the Ottawa Race Weekend on Sunday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
It was a sunny few days for the thousands of runners who hit the pavement for Ottawa Race Weekend.
More than 27,000 people registered for the races, which have been held in the nation's capital for the past 49 years.
Runners made their way through neighbourhoods in both Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., from Centretown and Rockcliffe to Hull and Aylmer.
The 2K, 5K and 10K races were held on Saturday, with the marathon and half-marathon on Sunday.
Media | Scenes from Ottawa Race Weekend’s finish line
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Racing through the city
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend 20230528
Caption: Ethiopia's Gebretsadik Abraha, centre, and Felix Kibitok, right, make their way across the Alexandra Bridge during Sunday's marathon. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend 20230528
Caption: Runners take part in the half-marathon Sunday. The entire weekend saw clear, sunny skies. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend - Half marathon
Caption: A runner pours water over their head after finishing the half-marathon. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend - Peace Tower
Caption: Runners make their way up Elgin Street during the half-marathon. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
The marathon finish line
The top three finishers Sunday in the men's marathon all hailed from Ethiopia.
Yihunilign Adane grabbed first overall with a time of 2:08:22, Gebretsadik Abraha finished close behind at 2:09:13 and Abdi Ali Gelchu came in third with a time of 2:10:38.
New Brunswick's Lee Wesselius was the top Canadian, finishing roughly 10 minutes off the winning pace.
In the women's marathon, Ethiopia's Waganesh Mekasha came in first with a time of 2:24:47, followed by Canada's Malindi Elmore with a time of 2:27:44. Germany's Melat Kejeta finished right on her heels, with a time of 2:27:50.
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend - Marathon winners
Caption: Ethiopia's Gebretsadik Abraha and Abdi Ali Gelchu hug each at the marathon's finish line. They came in second and third place, respectively. (David Bates/Radio-Canada)
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend - Top 3 women in marathon
Caption: The top three finishers of the women's marathon pose with their national flags at the finish line on Sunday. They are, from left to right, Canada's Malindi Elmore, Ethiopia's Waganesh Mekasha and Germany's Melat Kejeta. (David Bates/Radio-Canada)
Image | Ottawa Race Weekend - Marathon 2nd place woman
Caption: Elmore, from Kelowna, B.C., finished second in the women's marathon with a time of 2:27:44. (David Bates/Radio-Canada)
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