On Tuesday, the Tartan Ottawa Worldwide Marathon introduced one among its main headliners for the 2025 race: famend American marathoner and 50K world report holder, CJ Albertson.
Albertson holds a marathon private finest of two:08:17, which he set on the 2024 Chicago Marathon, the place he was the highest American finisher. The 31-year-old from Fresno, Calif., completed fifth on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and is finest identified for his world-record efficiency on the 50-kilometre Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run in San Francisco (2:38:43) in 2022.
“I’m trying ahead to my Canadian racing debut in Ottawa to kick off my summer time,” mentioned Albertson. “This can be an amazing alternative for me to run quick, compete in opposition to nice competitors and expertise the town.”
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend organizers are thrilled to welcome American long-distance runner CJ Albertson to this 12 months’s elite area for the Tartan Ottawa Worldwide Marathon, anticipating a aggressive and memorable race. Learn the total announcement: https://t.co/qpwQE0Bcpx pic.twitter.com/SxGB2Dky2f
— Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (@OttawaRaceWknd) February 18, 2025
Ottawa isn’t the one race on Albertson’s calendar this spring. He’s additionally one of many American headliners for the 2025 Boston Marathon on April 21. The Tartan Ottawa Worldwide Marathon will happen practically 5 weeks after Boston, on Could 25. Though Ottawa may sound like a fast turnaround, Albertson has beforehand raced a number of marathons in a decent window. Final fall, he raced three marathons over eight weeks and ran underneath 2:11:00 at every one, together with his PB of two:08:17 in Chicago.
“CJ is one among North America’s prime distance runners of this technology,” says Ottawa elite co-ordinator, Stephen Andersen. “His efficiency in Chicago in 2024 locations him prime 10 all-time amongst American males within the marathon. We’re excited to welcome CJ to Canada for the primary time, the place he’ll compete in opposition to what’s shaping as much as be a deep area. We anticipate him to be in rivalry for the 2025 title.”
Traditionally, American males haven’t had quite a lot of success on the Tartan Ottawa Worldwide Marathon, with solely two victories: Greg Leroy in 1982 (2:21:04) and Ric Sayre in 1985 (2:16:18). Albertson can be trying to finish the 40-year drought and add his title to the report books.
The Tartan Ottawa Worldwide Marathon, a World Athletics Label Race, is famend for its scenic course by means of Canada’s capital and vibrant racing environment. This 12 months, members will compete on a newly designed, flatter and sooner course spanning each Ontario and Quebec (final 12 months’s race remained within the nation’s capital), with the added bonus of serving as a Boston Marathon qualifier.