HIGH ACHIEVERS: Run Ottawa Community Sport Fund grants will benefit endurance sport organizations

By Martin Cleary

When you think of Run Ottawa, the first thing that comes to mind is the all-encompassing Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

The largest two-day running festival in Canada is the main attraction of a full calendar of diverse road races.

In the 50-plus years the Ottawa marathon and its counterparts have been around, there have been many ups and downs. The running spectacle almost folded one year, approached the 50,000 registration mark several times and was crushed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the 2026 edition of the race weekend was one of the best in its history as its five major races were all sold out, attracting more than 39,000 runners.

That accomplishment allowed organizers of the not-for-profit race weekend to take a big step in its development last month by introducing the Run Ottawa Community Sport Fund.

The race weekend’s new initiative was created to give financial support – two $10,000 grants – to Ottawa-Gatineau non-profit organizations involved in endurance sports. The successful applicants can use the money to purchase sports equipment.

The local sports community has reacted positively to the news about this opportunity. Endurance sports organizations were able to start submitting applications on Tuesday. The application deadline is Sept. 30. Organizations can apply via the Run Ottawa Community Sport Fund webpage.

Race weekend organizations will assess the applications from Oct. 1-14 and notify the two grant winners Oct. 15. The grants will be awarded Nov. 15.

Community sports groups applying for the grant must be a registered not-for-profit organization, operate within a 100-kilometre radius of downtown Ottawa, deliver endurance sports programming, have a board of directors or an equivalent, demonstrate a commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion, etc.

Sports organizations delivering endurance sport programs include, but not restricted to, canoe and kayak, cross-country skiing, cycling, orienteering, rowing, running, swimming, triathlon and track and field.

“Local sport organizations play an essential role in creating welcoming, accessible opportunities for people to discover the joy of movement and develop lifelong healthy habits,” Run Ottawa executive director Mike Vieira said in a press release.

“By investing in these organizations, we’re helping ensure more individuals have the equipment and resources they need to participate, connect and thrive through sport.”

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Between 10 and 15 local endurance sports organizations have already contacted Run Ottawa with various questions. Vieira said Run Ottawa will conduct a webinar in about a week to answer questions about the application process.

“We didn’t know what to expect, but the response has been quite positive,” said Vieira, who knows sports organizations need quality equipment to succeed, in a phone interview.

Equipment could be in the form of a rowing shell, treadmill, running shoes, cross-country skis, bicycles, etc.

“Part of our mandate is to make Ottawa a better place for work and play,” he added. “We have a reserve fund and will use the interest to fund (the grants). It’s not for one year, but for year after year.”

SKIP KATRINA FRLAN EARNS PRESTIGIOUS CURLING SCHOLARSHIP

Huntley Curling Club skip Katrina Frlan has been named as one of two For the Love of Curling scholarship recipients sponsored by the Governor General’s Curling Club of Ottawa in conjunction with Curling Canada.

Curling Canada announced Tuesday a total of 20 scholarship recipients for young curlers who have contributed to their communities through on- and off-ice achievements.

Frlan, a student-athlete at the University of Guelph, and Nicholas Codner, who is from Torbay, NL and attends Memorial University, will each receive $3,500 scholarships to help cover their educational costs, while encouraging their participation in curling.

The scholarships will be presented to Frlan and Codner on Sept. 14 in Victoria during the Governor General’s Curling Club national annual gala.

The list of 10 recipients of the For the Love of Curling scholarships also included Justin Anderson of Greely and the Manotick Curling Centre. He is studying computer science with a specialty in cyber security at the University of Guelph.

Mya Sharpe of Spencerville, ON, and the RCMP Curling Club was named a recipient of the Fran Todd All Heart scholarship. She is attending Loyalist College and studying in the occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant program.

Anderson and Sharpe will receive scholarships of $2,500 apiece.

The For the Love of Curling scholarships are presented to student-athletes who “excel in curling, maintain strong academic standing and demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities.”

The Fran Todd All Heart scholarship recognizes student-athletes who “embody the values of curling, prioritize giving back to the sport and are passionate about sharing curling with their communities.”

JUVENTUS LOANS JONATHAN DAVID TO ATLÉTICO MADRID

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Ottawa’s premier soccer player Jonathan David has a new home.

After a difficult and unproductive first season in Italy’s top professional league, Juventus will loan the Canadian striker to La Liga’s Atlético Madrid for the 2026-27 season. Atlético Madrid also could purchase David for 25 million euros in the future.

Juventus was disappointed in David’s offensive output – eight goals and five assists in 57 games – and has been trying to move him for the last number of months. Before Atlético Madrid welcomed David, notable clubs like Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa showed interest in Canada’s top career goal scorer.

David, 26, joined Juventus in 2025, after an impressive five-year career with Lille in France’s Ligue 1. In 232 games, he scored 109 goals and was considered one of Europe’s best goal scorers.

But the 2025-26 season was a struggle for David as he lost his scoring touch for Juventus and even for Canada at the recent World Cup. While he scored three goals against Qatar in the World Cup, he couldn’t step forward and stand out against Canada’s other opponents.

Atlético Ottawa, the Canadian Premier League franchise affiliated with Atlético Madrid, was thrilled to have a hometown connection on the big club.