GFNY is coming to Canada

April 29, 2026

Inaugural GFNY Ottawa to be held September 13, 2026

New York City (April 29, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – GFNY is proud to announce its first ever race in Canada: the inaugural GFNY Ottawa is scheduled for September 13, 2026. The event will bring the GFNY race experience to Canada’s capital.

“Ottawa Tourism is proud to welcome GFNY to Canada’s capital for its first-ever Canadian based event this fall” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “As an internationally recognized road racing brand, this event will elevate Ottawa on to the world cycling stage and deliver significant economic impact to our city. Ottawa will no doubt deliver an exceptional athlete and visitor experience supported by our cycling community, vibrant neighbourhoods, and unique cultural experiences”.

The competitive long distance race will cover 118.3 km with 784 m of climbing, while the recreational medium distance race will cover 66 km, offering riders of all levels the opportunity to experience a professionally organized race on fully closed roads.

“We’re excited to finally bring GFNY to Canada,” says GFNY President Lidia Fluhme. “And having our first GFNY in the capital of the country is a tremendous honor for our organization. A fully closed to traffic course will offer our riders a spectacular experience.”

Race week activities, including the start, finish, and post-race celebrations, will take place at the Richcraft Recreation Complex in the Kanata North tech hub.

The course travels along rural roads in the Kanata area, offering riders a fully closed-to-traffic route with start-to-finish chip timing, two aid stations for the medium distance, and four for the long distance. Relatively flat with gentle rolling terrain, the course lends itself to a fast race while still being selective enough to split the peloton. After a flat and fast start, riders quickly leave the urban landscape behind, entering scenic wooded countryside through a series of technical turns and open roads ideal for group riding.

GFNY participants and their families will enjoy Ottawa as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors are encouraged to extend their stay to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, take a boat ride along the river, or ride through more than 800 km (500 miles) of urban and rural pathways. GFNY Ottawa offers a unique race experience that combines the elegance of a historic capital with the beauty of its surrounding nature.

Website: ottawa.gfny.com

About GFNY

GFNY is an international cycling organization that designs, owns, and operates a structured system of races worldwide. Its competitive hierarchy connects GFNY races with National and Continental Championships, culminating in the GFNY World Championship in New York City. This progression is known as the GFNY Road to NYC.

GFNY events feature fully timed racing with age-group competition and are open to a wide range of riders, combining competitive structure with accessible participation. GFNY operates its own integrated registration, results, and ranking system, maintaining direct relationships with participants across all events. While road cycling is its foundation, GFNY also operates select events in gravel, mountain bike, and running within the same competitive framework.

Website: gfny.com

About the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York City

The Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York City is GFNY’s flagship event and the final stage of the GFNY Course to NYC. Held annually on a challenging road course in and around New York City, it brings together riders from more than 90 countries.

Website: nyc.gfny.com

GFNY Pro Series

The GFNY Pro Series is GFNY’s professional racing platform, built around an integrated Pro–Am format in which UCI-sanctioned professional races are held on the same courses and weekends as GFNY mass-participation events. The format was pioneered at Gran Premio New York City and is expanding selectively to additional locations, including Gran Premio Cozumel, subject to UCI approval.

Website: gp.gfny.com

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY Ottawa Video: here
GFNY Results: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Uli Fluhme, uli@gfny.com
Caroline Lindsay, caroline@gfny.com