A short report from our CER( Chief Executive Runner) Judy.
This was the first year for this event which included a 5 km, a 2 km and a 10 km run all were chip timed by Sportstats. The courses were certified and flat! The results were determined by GUN TIME not by CHIP TIME. There were 300 in the 10K , 300 in the 5K and 200 in the 2K
The race was held at the Quai-des-Cageux area on Jacques-Cartier Street in Gatineau an area I had never been to. It’s directly across the river from Rockcliffe Park and has some nice views of the Ottawa River.
Getting there
We were encouraged to use public transit and our bibs were good for free travel on STO buses. I drove from Barrhaven because it would take hours to get there by public transit from Barrhaven on a Saturday and I did not pick-up my bib before the race, but the buses were a great idea! They also had safe bike parking and free public parking in Parc de la Baie which was not too far from the start. I used google maps to find it as I have never been in that area.
I picked up my bib at a tent between the start area and the parking lot. When I arrived the 2 km was just starting. Lots of kids and families.
There was a small expo with some give aways, games and things to buy.
The 10 km was a 4:30pm and it was quite warm. The course went 2.5 km out then turned and came 2.5 km back to the finish line. After that we went 2.5 km past the finish line and 2.5 km back. It seamed a little odd, but it actually works because the start mat gives you a 5 km split when you pass over it.
The course was very well marked, volunteers in all the right places and no issues with cars. There were two water stations. One at 2.5km and the other at about 6km which you also passed by at 8km. It was quite warm so the water stations were needed.
I ran the 10k just to check out the event. I knew I had an LSD run the next morning, so I did not go intending to run too hard. About 2km into the race a volunteer yelled “vous etre la deuxieme femme” . At the turn around a 2.5 km I did a quick count of women coming my way and discovered the volunteer was correct, I was second woman. In my experience over many years of running although it’s well intended some volunteers can’t count.
I could see the third woman not too far behind. I was still in second when we passed the 5km mark. At 7.5 km when we made the turn the woman in third had definitely made up some time. She passed me at about 8.5 km and I finished third. Which was more than I expected and I won $100! So I made more than I paid to enter.
Overall. This race is a great addition to the local races. Well run and organized on a fast, flat, scenic course. Put it on your list September 27th , 2025. They have added a 15 km for next year https://couronsgatineau.ca/
Run K2J 