Marathoner carries legacy of legendary Tom Longboat

When 24-year-old Kristian Jamieson runs, he runs with history at his heels. The Upper Cayuga marathoner is the great-great-grandson of Tom Longboat, the legendary 1907 Boston Marathon champion whose name still echoes through Canadian running circles more than a century later.

Jamieson will toe the line Sunday at Ottawa Race Weekend, where he'll compete against an elite field in what many consider one of Canada's most competitive road races. It's a moment that carries weight beyond the usual stakes of a marathon.

"I always ask myself, 'Would he be proud of what I'm doing?'" Jamieson has said of his great-great-grandfather. That question—the pressure and honour of carrying forward a family legacy of athletic excellence—drives him forward as training intensifies heading into race day.

Race Weekend attracts thousands to downtown Ottawa and Gatineau this weekend, with courses looping through major sections of both cities. The 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon all sell out annually, drawing serious runners from across the country alongside community participants. For Jamieson, it's not just another race; it's a conversation across generations, a way of honouring the man who set the standard.