O-Train service to launch early for Ottawa Race Weekend’s marathon

An O-Train on Line 1 is seen in this undated image. (CTV News Ottawa)

The O-Train will be operating early on Sunday, May 25 to help runners, volunteers and spectators get to the start line for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

OC Transpo announced on Monday that O-Train Line 1 and 2 will start at 5 a.m. to help people get downtown for the marathon.

O-Train Line 1 normally starts at 8 a.m. on Sundays, while Line 2 begins service at 7:30 a.m. on Sundays.

OC Transpo acting general manager Pat Scrimgeour announced the O-Train will start early on Sunday, May 25 for race weekend.

“Eventgoers can skip traffic, forget about downtown parking and avoid road closures by using OC Transpo,” Scrimgeour said in a memo to council. “With three O-Train stations within 15 minutes of the start line, OC Transpo is a convenient, accessible and eco-friendly way to get to and from the event safe.”

The marathon for Ottawa Race Weekend is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, while the half-marathon begins at 9 a.m.

The Ottawa Race Weekend Kids Marathon, 2K, 5K and 10K are scheduled for Saturday, May 24. O-Train service will run on a normal schedule on the Saturday.

Race participants are encouraged to take advantage of O-Train Line 2 to pick up their race kits at the Ottawa Race Weekend Running and Fitness Expo at Carleton University from May 22 to 24.

This is the second year that O-Train service will begin at 5 a.m. for the marathon, after people complained about no train service two years ago.