Steeped in history

SSQ Insurance Quebec City Marathon
Sun 13 October 2019

Photo: Mathieu Belanger
© Mathieu Belanger

Now more than 20 years in the running, the Quebec City Marathon attracts in excess of 8000 runners and walkers from more than 20 countries. For 2019 organisers are expecting entries to top 8500 over the weekend of 12–13 October.

The SSQ Insurance Quebec City Marathon, a healthy invitation from Brunet is one of the most popular local running events and takes in eight of the historic city’s picture-postcard neighbourhoods.

The exciting new course unveiled last year starts in Old Quebec, taking runners inside the city’s 400-year old fortified stone walls. One of Quebec City’s historic neighbourhoods was the first urban area in North America to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you’ve never been to Quebec City before, the Marathon weekend is the perfect opportunity to feast your eyes on some of the finest jewels in its crown, such as the iconic Château Frontenac inside the old city walls, Parliament Hill and the grand historic Plains of Abraham – not to mention the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica and the Old Port district.

The marathon course also runs through the city’s vibrant Saint-Roch and Saint-Sauveur shopping and entertainment districts, as well alongside parts of the Saint-Charles River, giving participants and spectators a good taste of both the upper and lower towns. Early October in Quebec is the prime time to see the natural landscape transformed into a sea of vivid autumn colours, with comfortable temperatures that are ideal for long-distance running.

There is plenty for the whole family to do on the weekend of the Quebec City Marathon. The free Je Cours Qc Expo on 11–12 October is open to all, and the 2km Kids’ Race is perfect for ages 5–12. There’s also the SSQ Health 5km for runners age 10 and over. These are just some of the reasons that make Quebec City a great family destination for all.

To warm up for the big day participants are invited to the SSQ Grand Fit+Yoga happening on the Friday night. This 30-minute cardio muscle workout, followed by a 30-minute yoga session, is the perfect way to de-stress and relax – complete with music by a live DJ, free drinks and lots more great surprises.

Times recorded in the marathon are accepted as qualifying times for the 2020 Boston Marathon.

See: www.jecoursqc.com/en