2026 Solstice 5K - Ottawa

The Solstice 5K - Ottawa is an evening 5K run/walk on Queen Elizabeth Driveway in Ottawa, starting from Canal Ritz beside the Rideau Canal. It is scheduled around the summer solstice and begins at 8:15 p.m. EDT, so participants head out late in the day with the event’s “race against the sunset” concept integrated into the timing. Registration is for Canadian residents only, offering both an in-person 5K and a virtual option for individuals elsewhere in Canada. The in-person course follows Queen Elizabeth Driveway, one of Ottawa’s canal-side roads, designed for regular runners, walkers, and those seeking a short summer race instead of a long-distance challenge. Each participant receives a pair of HOKA Rincon 4 shoes and a finisher medal; shoe sizes are limited, with no exchanges or style substitutions. The medal features a miniature Earth that orbits the sun, aligning with the solstice theme. Virtual participants can complete their 5K anywhere in Canada, and their shoes and medal will be shipped to their home address.