Wednesday is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and Run to Empower has announced enhancements to its elite women-only race, the Fastest Women 5K, formerly known as Emilie’s Run. The event, with the aim to celebrate women’s running, is set for May 3, and will feature a $5,000 increase to its previous prize purse and a new label as an official Athletics Canada road race event.
The race was formerly named after the late Canadian 5K record holder Emilie Mondor, who died tragically in 2006. Her mark of 15:16 has stood since 2004.
Registration is open to individuals aged 12 and up who have achieved the 5K time standard of 20 minutes and who identify as female. “We are excited to welcome some of Canada’s fastest women to Ottawa for this event,” said Run Ottawa’s elite co-ordinator Stephen Andersen. “The event is the perfect opportunity to prepare for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend as well as the upcoming track season. May is truly an exciting time for fans to watch distance running in Ottawa.”
Registration requirements and prizes
While registration costs $20 each for athletes who have run a sub-20 minute 5K since the start of 2024, those who have run 18:30 or quicker will receive free entry.
The top seven runners overall will take home cash prizes, with first, second and third place earning $1,500, $1,200 and $900, respectively. The podium finishers for the 5K masters (40+) category will win $300, $200 and $100 prizes, respectively, while the winner of the U19 category will earn a Garmin smartwatch.
Runners who break Rachel Hannah’s course record of 15:57.5 (set in 2014) will receive a bonus of $500, and runners successfully beating Mondor’s Canadian 5K record will take home a $2,000 bonus.
Last year’s winner was Westport, Ont.’s Kara Blair, who clocked 17:19.
Open 5K will kick off with stroller wave
Run to Empower will also host an open category 5K and kids 1K (aged 12 and under). The open race will commence with a stroller wave, which allows parents to compete safely even with young children.
This year’s event will raise funds for Canadian charity Fast and Female, which works to empower young girls in sport and education; last year, $4,000 was donated to Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre. During registration, runners can opt for the “Green Bib” to donate a portion of their registration fee in lieu of a race medal.
