When and Where
All races in this year's event start near Ottawa City Hall and finish beside the National War Memorial, where uniformed Canadian Armed Forces members will be on hand to greet participants as they cross the line.
Race Schedule
The morning kicks off early for the most vulnerable participants: the 5K Soldier On Wave, for military or civilian runners with visible or non-visible conditions or injuries, is first off the line at 7:45 a.m. The main 5K field, presented by General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada, follows at 8:00 a.m. The 10K, presented by The Personal Insurance Company, starts at 8:45 a.m., and the Half Marathon, presented by BMO, rounds out the morning at 9:30 a.m.
Ottawa's Role in the Race
As the host city, Ottawa's downtown streets essentially become the race course for the morning, from the start near City Hall to the ceremonial finish beside the War Memorial. That stretch runs through some of the city's most recognizable landmarks, and it's part of why the Army Run has become an annual fixture on Ottawa's fall calendar, drawing runners from across the region to a route that doubles as a tribute to Canada's military.
Not Running? There's a Virtual Option
For anyone who can't make it downtown on race day, or who'd rather skip the road closures altogether, the Canada Army Run's virtual race window runs from September 4 to September 25, 2026, giving participants three weeks to complete their distance wherever and whenever works for them.
What Drivers Should Know
Sources: Canada Army Run (official) (https://armyrun.ca/in-person/), Ottawa Tourism (https://ottawatourism.ca/en/event-calendar/canada-army-run)
