Ottawa Race Weekend Road Closures Hit Downtown Saturday and Sunday

Ottawa race weekend road closures will hit downtown Ottawa on Saturday and Sunday as all races sell out and thousands head into the core for the annual run. The closures start Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and run to 9:00 p.m., then return Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

City Hall Start Line

All events start from City Hall, with runners set for the 5K, 10K, 21.1K and 42.1K. The route is a loop through major parts of Ottawa and Gatineau, so the impact goes beyond a single street and reaches much of the downtown network.

That setup leaves the core carrying the weekend load. Thousands are expected in the area, and the sold-out field means traffic around the start and along the route will be heavier than a normal spring weekend.

Saturday and Sunday Closures

Saturday brings the longest window of disruption, with closures in place from late morning into the evening. Sunday starts earlier, at 5:00 a.m., and lasts until 2:00 p.m., which puts the morning race window squarely inside the closure period.

Rain is likely on Sunday, with showers expected and temperatures around 14 C. That may not change the road plan, but it gives anyone heading downtown another reason to build in extra time and expect slower movement near the course.

Line 1 and 2 Trains

One transit adjustment is already set: Line 1 and 2 trains will start at 5:00 a.m. on May 24. For race-day travel, that gives early riders a way into the core before the Sunday closure block begins.

For anyone driving, the practical move is to avoid downtown Ottawa during the closure windows and plan around the race route rather than through it. With sold-out fields, street closures and early train service all in the same weekend, the safest assumption is that the core will be busy from the first start through the final closing of roads.