A 100-year-old runner made history on Saturday, May 23, 2026, during the opening day of the 52nd annual Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend in Ontario.
Roy Allen completed the five-kilometre event in 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 19 seconds, becoming the oldest individual in Canadian history to finish a 5K race.
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Before the race, Allen told CTV News that his participation was about more than personal achievement.
"Only 100-year-old to have done the 5K in Canada," said Allen.
The centenarian used his run to raise money for organizations that supported him and his wife over the years.
"It's nice to be able to do it and to be raising money for these other people," said Allen.
His efforts generated over $12,000 before the race, benefiting Perley Health, the Dementia Society, the Council of Aging Ottawa, and the Gloucester 50 Plus Centre.
"They are really my encouragement there. Get me going.
I can't possibly quit," said Allen.
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The weekend festivities began earlier that day with the Ottawa Kids Marathon, hosted by CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy.
The youth race reached maximum capacity with about 1,900 children aged five to 12 completing the 1.2-kilometre course.
"You're not even sweating … How did you do it?" asked an onlooker at the finish line.
Run Ottawa organizers confirmed that community fundraising remains a central part of the annual spring tradition, featuring thousands of participants running for various causes.
"We have over 87 charities participating this year, and we have teams in all of them," said Lisa Georges, a Run Ottawa representative.
"Whether people are running for a charity, an organization or in memory of somebody," said Georges.
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Saturday also included two-kilometre and 10-kilometre races. The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend concludes on Sunday with the full Ottawa International Marathon and the Half-Marathon.
