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Elite Runners

The application period will run from November 1, 2023 to December 17, 2023.

For any other questions regarding the elite program, contact us at: athlete@ultratrailcanada.com

Offered by the organization

Important notes:

Selection criteria

QMT 100 MILE

Sangé Sherpa

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Highlights

Sangé Sherpa was born in Nepal, in a small house nestled in the Taplejung mountains. Far from school, he therefore had to develop a good mental strength to walk the long kilometers that separated him from classes every day. Needless to say, his physical assets and his endurance have served him well in life since he notably became a trek guide to pay for his university tuition fees, and today has a spectacular trail running resume. Now living in Besançon (France), in the Jura mountains, Sangé Sherpa takes part to many events, one after the other, and keeps pleasure at the center of his approach. He puts aside the idea of aiming for exceptional performances and podiums at all costs for each of the races in which he participates. Fueled for sporting exploits of all kinds, he completed, by example, a series of 10 ultras in 11 weeks during last summer. In short, only Sangé Sherpa, himself, can shape challenges that match his endurance! The ultra-runner has distinguished himself in international races for more than 10 years. Among his recent achievements, he won the 100 km of the LAAN Ultra Trail 2023 (Vietnam), finished third at the Cervino Matterhorn Ultra Race (Italy) and the 140 km of Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB 2023 (Switzerland). Québec Mega Trail is extremely proud to welcome back Sangé Sherpa, who holds to this day the QMT-100 MILES course record. The athlete completed the course in an incredible time of 19:35:52.

Abel Carretero

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Originally from a small village 100 km from Barcelona, Spain, Abel Carretero started running many years ago, but decided to devote himself more seriously to his sport since 2018. Now based in the Pyrenees, he really enjoys training in the high mountains and practice skiing during the winter. “I have been lucky enough to run in many countries, basically in Europe, and the feeling of freedom that trail running provides you is indescribable. I always say that it’s a lifestyle and I believe it more and more”, he says. The Spanish athlete counts among his recent achievements a fourth position in the 126 km event of the Transgrancanaria 2024 (Spain). He also has a few podiums in the bank, including a first place in the 67 km event of the 2019 Tenerife Bluetrail (Spain) and a third position in the 60 km event of the 2021 Penyagolosa Trails (Spain). He also did very well at the CCC race of the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc, even reaching eighth place in 2021. Why is he accepting the QMT challenge? “I always like to discover new places and go to other countries to experience trail running the local way. […] As a Catalan, I have always felt sympathy for Québec. I am very happy to have the opportunity to come and set foot on these lands and I am sure that I will love it,” he explains.

Luis Fernandes

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Surrounded by the fascinating, verdant mountains of Madeira, Portugal, Luís Fernandes began to enjoy running while training after joining the army. It was at the age of 25 that he had more serious contact with trail running and skyrunning. The runner, who says he demonstrates “fighting spirit and impressive determination” has a stunning sports resume. Only in 2023, the athlete finished third in the 115 km event at Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) and reached sixth place in the Ultra SkyMarathon event of the European Skyrunning Championships in Montenegro. He also obtained a remarkable 15 th position on the TDS race of the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc, in France. The runner is excited to competing in the 2024 edition of QMT-100 MILES, which will be his very first race outside the Old Continent. “The fact that QMT is part of the World Trail Majors is a motivation. This will be my second 100 miles, and I am looking forward to running it at Québec Mega Trail and discovering all the beauty of its landscapes,” he says.

Anthony Lee

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Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Anthony Lee took up running at the age of 12 when he suffered from childhood obesity. Running helped him to gain confidence and belief in himself, and sport has taken on a very symbolic place in his life over the years. Anthony now lives in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado (United States) and has several achievements to his credit. He notably finished second at the HURT 100 (United States) earlier this year, fourth at the Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB in 2022 and ninth in the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile (United States) in the same year.

Dominika Stelmach

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Joining us from Warsaw, Poland, Dominika Stelmach will take advantage of her trip for Québec Mega Trail to visit the region, having traveled to the province at the age of 14. A mother of two, Dominika counts among her best performances a time of 2:36:09 at the Debno Marathon (Poland) in 2021. The athlete has set a number of challenges for herself, including breaking the record for the greatest number of kilometers run in 12 hours during the Spartanion Race in 2023 (Israel). She covered no less than 152 kilometers, demonstrating exceptional poise.

Elliot Cardin

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Elliot Cardin started running in 2015, and began competing in ultras the following year. He will aim to complete his first 100 miles at Québec Mega Trail, on trails he knows well since he took part in the QMT-110 in 2017. Champion of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada 125 km (UTHC) in 2022 and eighth at the Black Canyon Ultra 100K (United States) the same year, the athlete from Shefford, in Québec, hopes to shine through the World Trail Majors circuit. “I have always enjoyed coming to run at QMT with the best Canadian and even international athletes for several years. I really like to see the emergence of the World Trail Majors in the trail running world and I have registered for the Black Canyon Ultra 2024, which is also part of this group with QMT,” he says.

Ihor Verys

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Originally from Ukraine, Ihor Verys moved to Canada almost 10 years ago and is now based in Chilliwack, British Columbia. He began his career as an ultra-runner in 2021 and quickly became a regular on podiums thereafter. Among his victories are the Canadian Death Race in 2023, the Badger Mountain 100 (United States) in 2023, the Fat Dog 120 (Canada) in 2022 as well as the Sinister 7 Ultra (Canada) the same year. What motivates Ihor Verys to come to compete at Québec Mega Trail? “The QMT-100 MILES is rated by many as the hardest 100 miler in Canada and I love facing challenges,” he says.

Mélina Dubois Verret

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Lover of nature and the outdoors, Mélina Dubois Verret has counted trail running among her passions for eight years now. Second in the 125 km of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) 2023 and fourth in her very first 160 km at the Bighorn Trail Run 2023, in Wyoming (United States), Mélina is looking forward to competing in the 2024 edition of QMT-100 MILES. “I have never had the opportunity to run its trails and participate in the event. Its good reputation in terms of organization and support for runners, as well as its association with the World Trail Majors are elements that attract me to be part of the next edition. I am also very excited by the level of competition for the 100-mile race,” says the athlete from Lingwick, Québec.

Mylène Sansoucy

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Passionate about running since her childhood, Mylène Sansoucy first distinguished herself on the road and has completed more than twenty marathons. An engineer specializing in geo-technics and mother of young children, the athlete from Québec has been doing long-distance running since 2017 and never ceases to surprise with her excellent results. In 2023 alone, she was the QMT-80 champion, in addition to finishing 47th in the long trail event (85 km) at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria. Mylène Sansoucy will take on the QMT-100 MILES for the very first time this year. She describes her decision to take part in the QMT-100 MILES: “I like to set ambitious goals for myself and the QMT is an exceptional event which has allowed me to surpass myself on several occasions since 2013. The 160 km course has been in my sights since its creation in 2021. I plan to be well prepared to take on this challenge in 2024”.

Philippe Poulin

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From a family of athletes, Philippe Poulin has always run for pleasure. As a child, he took part in one-kilometre events, then gradually discovered a passion for running. Only 21 years old, the trail and road runner is ready for new challenges. Philippe is from Beauceville, Québec, and has notably won a gold medal in his age category during the 2023 Ottawa International Marathon. Having finished in third place in the previous QMT-100 MILES, Philippe Poulin has fond memories of his experience. His goal for 2024: “to relive the trip I had in 2023 and beat my time from last year”.

Viktoria Brown

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Viktoria Brown is a Hungarian-Canadian ultra-runner, five-time world champion, former Canadian national record holder, in addition to being a triathlete. She started running in 2015, when she wanted to lose weight after the birth of her third daughter. She completed her first Ironman in 2017 and started working with a coach the following year. Viktoria Brown has held the course record for the 100-mile event at the Sulphur Springs Trail Race in Ontario since her participation in 2022. She is also the 48h, 72h, 6-day Canadian ultramarathon record holder. Why take part in Québec Mega Trail? “To support the new World Trail Majors initiative!,” she says.

Kelsey Hogan

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At Québec Mega Trail, Kelsey Hogan needs no introduction! The Newfoundland athlete, who now lives in New Brunswick, won the QMT-100 MILES women’s honours at the last two editions of the event. With an exceptional time of 24:34:57, she beat her own course record last year, shaving more than 3 hours 30 minutes off her time from the previous edition. Above all, she crossed the finish line in triumph, with a beaming smile and a ton of energy still in the bank. Kelsey Hogan will therefore attempt to complete a hat trick for her third participation in the QMT-100 MILES, and could, who knows, shatter her own record once again. Also a mental performance consultant and researcher, the ultra-runner counts among her most recent achievements a 41st place at the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc 2023 (France), an 11th place at the Nesters Market Squamish 50 mile 2023 (British Columbia) and a 5th place at the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB 2023 (Great Britain).

QMT 110

Maria de Fátima Buchas

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Attracted to trail running three years ago when she wanted to adopt a more active lifestyle, the Portuguese Maria Fátima Buchas not only got hooked, but she quickly climbed to the top of the rankings. She finished fourth in the 2022 Campeonato Nacional de Trail Ultra Endurance (Portuguese Ultra National Championship), which represented her very first participation in a 100 km race. Also in Portugal, she won the 110 km event of the EPIC Azores and finished seventh in the 115 km of the legendary Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) in 2023. She also took seventh place in the 126 km event at the last edition of the Transgrancanaria, in Spain. “It’s a daily challenge to reconcile family life, training and work, but the truth is that trail running is a part of me,” says the runner. Maria Fátima, who is currently dedicated to ultras, is excited to run the wonderful trails of QMT, discover the local culture and experience an epic race. Maria Fátima Buchas will set off on the QMT-110 and already says she can't wait to return to Québec to carry out “the biggest test” on the QMT-100 MILES.

Samantha Stimac

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Samantha Stimac is a runner from Wisconsin, United States, who now calls Vermont home. A travel physical therapist, she is serving a year and a half term throughout the New England region and therefore hopes to connect with the local road and trail running community. Her latest sporting achievements include first place the Catamount Ultra 50 km 2023 in Vermont and first in the Mt. Toby Ultra 50 km in Massachusetts. Competing in races of different distances, especially between 50 and 160 km, she will be at the start of the QMT-110.

Marvin Foucher

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Originally from France, Marvin Foucher learned about trail running while living in the Rockies of Colorado, United States. Needless to say, he quickly signed up for his first trail event when he arrived in Québec in 2021, and has never stopped running since. A financial controller by profession, Marvin Foucher distinguished himself on numerous occasions during recent participation in events. He was the winner of the 80 km at the Bromont Ultra (BU80) in 2022, finished second in the 80 km event at the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) and completed the Boston Marathon in 2 hours 33 minutes. “I’m going to seek my revenge from the QMT-110! Last year, I felt unwell four kilometers from the finish while I was leading from the 60th kilometer. So I have some revenge to take against myself and I have the objective of winning the race, but also of enjoying the post-race and the amazing celebration,” says the athlete who still thanks the rescuers who gave him help during the last edition of QMT.

David Savard-Gagnon

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A sports enthusiast since he was young, David Savard-Gagnon likes to be involved in the Baie-Saint-Paul sports community and above all wants to inspire people in the Charlevoix region through his accomplishments. A family man, he appreciates having the Charlevoix trails close to home so he can train in the mountains while marveling at the beauty of the landscapes that surround him. Second in the 2023 edition of the Oisans Trail Tour 40 km (France), in addition to having reached first place for Québec runners at the 2023 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:29:25, David Savard-Gagnon looks forward to the QMT-110 with great optimism. “I want to improve my time and position achieved in 2019, improve my performance on a technical terrain and represent my region,” he says Among his other great performances, he won the Marathon de Montréal in 2013 and the 125 km event of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) in 2020.

Benoit Gaillard

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The 2024 edition of Québec Mega Trail will mark the comeback of Benoit Gaillard, a runner of French origin. He won very first edition of the QMT-100 MILES in 2021 and will this time try to take the honours of the QMT-110. A regular on the podium, Benoit Gaillard also seems to excel in new courses challenges since he triumphed in the first edition of the 160 km of the Ultra-Trail du Fjord du Saguenay (Québec) which took place in 2023. During the same year, he was also the winner of the 50 km of the Trail du Grand-Duc (Québec) and finished 10th in the Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB, in the mighty Pyrenees.

Yannick Bernard

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A regular on the trails that crisscross the Côte-de-Beaupré, Yannick Bernard will add a brand new route to his QMT resume in 2024. “One of my first ultra-long-distance races was the QMT-80 and I only have great memories of this course! The departure at 5 a.m. along the river, the remarkable route and the atmosphere of the aid stations are among my favourites! I was able to repeat the course by participating in the QMT-100 MILES, in 2022, which I enjoyed just as much. The variants of the route are particularly pleasant to run and I found that I lacked the experience of the 110 km in my QMT distances,” says the trail runner from Saint-Georges (Québec). Yannick distinguished himself in 2023 by winning the Gaspesia 100 miles and setting a course record. He also took part in the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc (France), which represents an achievement in itself.

QMT 80

Alex Castonguay

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A former soccer player, Alex Castonguay took up running in 2013, beginning with the challenge of doing the Montreal Marathon. Although it was a painful race, the runner rolled up her sleeves and returned to the event three years later, shaving an hour off her previous time. Since then, her track record has become impressive and includes remarkable rankings like her first place among Quebecers at the Boston marathon in 2017, and more recently, her third position at the 2023 Montreal half-marathon. Alex Castonguay also finished second in the QMT-50 last year, her very first ultramarathon experience. “I was conservative and I was pleasantly surprised by my performance. I feel like I can push myself a lot more. So I can’t wait to relive the atmosphere of the QMT, but on a slightly greater distance,” she says.

Geneviève Asselin-Demers

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Coming from the world of road racing, Geneviève Asselin-Demers discovered a love for the mountainous counterpart in 2021, and has since been nourished by new challenges to take on each year. The Montreal athlete had a particularly breathtaking last year, to say the least. Champion of the 100km Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB, 45 km Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs (UTCC), 50 km Trail du Grand-Duc, and the QMT-110, Geneviève Asselin-Demers has had a string of victories, one after the other. Mother of twins and structural engineer, the runner is thirsty for achievement and is known for surpassing herself. 2024 has a strong chance of meeting her quest for challenges: she will participate in the QMT-80 to relive last year’s experience over a shorter distance and thus prepare for the Dacia Ultra-Trail Mont-Blanc, in France, for which she recently qualified.

Eric LiPuma

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Eric LiPuma is a trail and ultra-runner living in northern Vermont, United States. A multi-time member of Team USA and a former national champion, he has excelled in races of 5K, 100K and everything in between. Seventh in the 80 km event of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria in 2023 and second in the Broken Arrow Skyrace 52 km in 2022, in California, the runner and coach will be at the starting line of the QMT-80 for the very first time. “Québec Mega Trail is a fantastic competitive event that is close to home and in a beautiful area. I have wanted to run it for years and in 2024, it will finally fit into my schedule. I love visiting Canada and I would love to race there!” Very familiar with the muddy trail, steep climbs and descents, humidity and heat of Vermont, the athlete should have fun times on the trails here.

Francis Malenfant

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For Francis Malenfant, Québec Mega Trail has been a classic since his beginnings in the trail world, and the Côte-de-Beaupré trails are in a way part of his playground. Sixth on the QMT-50 last year, the athlete will take on the challenge of the QMT-80 this year. Third in the 80 km of the Bromont Ultra (BU80) in 2023 and first in the 80 km of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) in 2022, Francis hopes to climb to the top of the podium. “The atmosphere volunteers, organization and competition are always incredible at QMT!” says Francis, who will have family and friends at his side to encourage him and share his passion.

Mélanie Beetz

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If you ask Mélanie Beetz to describe herself, she will tell you that she sees herself first and foremost as a mother, even though her two daughters are almost adults. A clinical nurse attracted to innovation and discovery, she distinguished herself through her initiative for the relevant reorientation of users in the emergency room. In short, this high-level sportswoman thrives on challenging projects and follows her passions. Having practiced athletics as a teenager, Mélanie Beetz needed to take a break from running and rigorous training for a while before reintegrating sport into her life in a fun way. “I took part in team orienteering races. Since 2018, I have been part of the Club de trail de Montréal. I meet my gang there every week! Nothing gives me more pleasure than a trail outing or an outdoor expedition with friends,” says the woman who will backpack around Mont-Blanc with her partner this year. Distinguished by her speed downhill and her ease on technical trails, Mélanie Beetz will participate in the QMT-80 and hopes to beat her time from the 2022 edition for which she finished in third position.

Jérôme Bresson

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Born in Toulouse, then growing up in Pau, France, Jérôme Bresson was seduced by Québec during a trip to Gaspésie in the early 2000s. Now established in Saint-Théodore-d’Acton, the sportsman records dazzling performances in trail running, and also in triathlon. He finished 67th and 74th during his participations in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, 7th and 11th at the Norseman in Norway, in addition to being twice winner of the Canada Man in Lac-Mégantic. More recently, in August 2023, he finished fourth at the Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant. This next level athlete has a few races at Québec Mega Trail under his belt (or beneath his feet). This time he will have a bib for the QMT-80.

Ryan Sullivan

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When Ryan Sullivan is asked how running came into his life, he immediately responds that he “always had a ton of energy to burn”. The Grand Junction, Colorado-based athlete played soccer for several years and took up cycling during medical school. When his schedule progressively became time-crunched, he started running and enjoyed its “efficient” aspect. Living not far from the Adirondacks at the time, running was also a source of exploration for him. Winner of the 2023 San Juan Solstice 50 miles, in Colorado, and third at the 2023 JFK 50 miles in Maryland, Ryan Sullivan will complete his first 100 miles in 2024, at the Leadville Trail 100 (Colorado) and at Québec Mega Trail. “I heard the race is amazing. I love Québec, I also have family in Vermont,” says the trail runner. Believing that he ran conservatively in his early days, Ryan Sullivan now likes to throw down a little more from the start and get into the mix up front in most races. But of course, he always remembers that it’s all for fun.

Samuel Audet

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A competitive mountain biker as a teenager, Samuel Audet reconnected with the mountains, but on other types of trails, in his early twenties. “While hiking in Orford, I came across someone running. Taken aback, I asked him why he was running. He told me that he was training for a 20 km trail event. So that year, in 2014, I signed up for my first trail race. I was hooked,” he says. The athlete from Québec appreciates his sport, which combines his love for the outdoors and speed, while providing him with a connection to nature. “In mountain biking, I was used to the mud. That said, running shoes are quicker to clean than a bike,” he adds. The engineer and father of two children will be back at Québec Mega Trail for a third time and also emphasizes that he never gets tired of listening to Rush at the starting line. Having finished third in the 80 km event of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) in 2023 and the QMT-80 in 2022, Samuel Audet will be one to watch this year, hoping to surpass himself in what he considers to be the most beautiful trail route, in its raw and wild state.

QMT 50

Amélie Simard

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Rising star of the trail running in Québec, Saguenay’s Amélie Simard caused a surprise last year by capturing victory in the QMT-50. Back to defend her title, the physical education student also sets herself the goal of increasing her speed over short distances in 2024 in order to perform better in the long term on longer courses. The athlete indicates, however, that her trail season is likely to be relatively short since she also trains in cross-country with the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi team. She is toying with the idea of competing in the trail running world championships in a few years. With two parents who were involved in running, sport quickly entered the young woman’s life. Having started participating in trail events around the age of 13, the trail runner also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. “Trail running allows me to have good times with family and friends. It allows me to reduce my anxiety and enjoy nature,” she says.

Robyn Mildren

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Robyn Mildren graduated with a Ph.D. in neuromechanics with a thesis on leg muscle reflexes involved in the control of balance, and she believes in the importance of movement for the physical and mental health of individuals. Robyn is currently doing postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and is translating her knowledge of the human body to the road and trail running. Having finished second in the 10 km event during the Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Championships which took place at QMT in 2019, Robyn Mildren will return to Mont-Sainte-Anne to experience the QMT-50. She also finished first among women during the 2023 Squamish 50 km, in British Columbia. “I have always wanted to return and compete in one of the longer events. I would be very excited to experience an ultra at QMT 2024!,” says the runner, who has a very promising potential to shine in the mountains of Côte-de-Beaupré.

David Kilgore

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A resident of the Bronx, New York, David Kilgore has been running for a long time and always runs, no matter the distance, type of terrain or challenge he is given. An important figure in the On Running brand strategic team of which he is a proud ambassador, David has stood out in various events over the past year, including the Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB for which he placed fifth. He also won the World Marathon Challenge 2023, which involved running (and winning) seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Having had to abandon his race at Québec Mega Trail last year after having a nasty fall on his head, the American trail runner returns this year to finish his race, and hopes to get on the podium of the QMT-50.

Maïka Lamoureux

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A young woman who made her mark at Québec Mega Trail, Maïka Lamoureux will be back on the trails of Mont-Sainte-Anne after a forced one-year break due to a triple ankle injury. Resilient and positive, the Montreal athlete is very eager to get back into the trail community. “For me, Québec Mega Trail is much more than a simple race and I feel ready to return to it in a competitive way, and over my favorite distance,” says the runner who will participate in the 50 km event. Although she was unable to compete last summer, she was still able to stand out at the most recent Montreal Marathon with a time of 3 hours 10 minutes as well as a third place in the 28 km event of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) which took place in September 2023. Having practiced triathlons for a long time before focusing on trail running, Maïka Lamoureux is a very versatile athlete who is only beginning to reveal her full potential in the mountains, and who will undoubtedly shine, nationally and internationally, in the years to come.

Marcus Ribi

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For an elite British Columbia runner like Marcus Ribi, competing across the country has its share of excitement. “I would love to race against the fastest and most efficient athletes in Eastern Canada, while discovering a new region. QMT is one of the most famous races in the country, so it will be a pretty cool experience,” said the Vancouver long-distance runner. A lover of cats, Liverpool FC, the Ferrari team and, of course, mountains, Marcus Ribi did well internationally in 2023. He finished second in the 10 km Vertical event of the Swiss Alps 2023 and fourth in the 76 km of the Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB 2023 (Switzerland), in addition to having taken part in the 45 km event of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria. Marcus Ribi will wear a QMT-50 bib at this year’s race.

Arielle Fitzgerald

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Known as a “jack of all trades but master of none”, Arielle Fitzgerald demonstrates quite the opposite by her performances. The Albertan, who specializes in running and obstacle course racing, has competed in a number of impressive endurance events locally and internationally. She has represented Canada at the World Championships in the 100 km event twice and holds the Guinness Record for the fastest 100 km run on a treadmill. Resolutely versatile, she is a nutritionist by profession and believes in the importance of having a running community. She thinks that there is room for everyone in sport, and above all a pace for each person. She will aim to shine in the QMT-50, as she notably did with her fifth position in the 52 km of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, in California, and her victory in the 21 km of the Spartan Trail World Championships.

Victor Larocque

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At a young age, when he lived in Indonesia with his family, Victor Larocque was introduced to the “Hash House Harriers”. This outdoor team and racing game involves participants who must catch up with leaders on a course in which marks are left. These marks are sometimes false leads aimed at confusing the runners, so they must decide whether or not to follow them to join the leaders. Victor Larocque has therefore always run, but has been more officially hooked for trail running while he participated in the Trans-Vallée in 2019. “It allowed me to understand that it could be more challenging than what I thought”, he says. Having completed races for several years, the athlete was, among other things, the grand champion of the 80 km event of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) in 2021 and the 30 km of the Trail du Grand-Duc in fall 2023. Having never participated in an official marathon, the runner will set off at the legendary 42 km in Ottawa this spring, before coming to discover Québec Mega Trail over the 50 km distance. Father of a young boy, the agroeconomist by profession also practiced triathlons for around ten years as well as water skiing. “I took part in water skiing competitions until I was 15. Although it is a highly stimulating sport, I gradually moved away from it for environmental reasons,” he explains.

QMT 25

Maude Mathys

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In trail running, just like in mountain skiing, Maude Mathys needs no introduction. The French-speaking Swiss athlete has one of the finest resume in the international women’s trail running history, and is to this day* in second place in the UTMB world rankings behind Courtney Dauwalter. His male counterpart is a very unknown figure…Kilian Jornet. The five-time European trail running champion holds the course record of the legendary Sierre-Zinal (Switzerland), in the Valais Alps, and the record of the Pikes Peak Marathon (United States). She won the 2020 Golden Trail Championship, in addition to finishing first in the Golden Trail Series overall ranking in 2021 and having a personal best of 2:30:41 at the Seville Marathon in 2020. Combining her high-level runner life with that of a mother of two children, Maude Mathys will take advantage of her trip for Québec Mega Trail to travel with her family. “I wanted to discover Québec and try a competition in Canada. In addition, the event seems very friendly, welcoming and the courses look superb!”, she says.

Élisa Morin

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Third time is a charm: this is how Élisa Morin perceives her next passage on the QMT-25. The one who was unable to complete her route last year due to an injury wants to come full circle in 2024 “by having fun and not suffering from my race to be proud of my performance”, she says. The French-born athlete, living in Quebec since 2020, is first and foremost a road running and cross-country specialist. Shortly after her arrival in Québec, she got her hands on the Coupe Québec Viens Courir. She fell in love with the trails in 2022 and has continued to amaze with her results ever since. She has finished second in the QMT-25 in 2022, and has victories in the 28 km of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) 2023 as well as the 2023 Mont-Mégantic Marathon.

Grant Colligan

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From Golden, Colorado (United States), Grant Colligan distinguished himself in indoor track and field competitions throughout his academic career at the Colorado School of Mines, a university specializing in engineering and applied sciences. Also excelling in steeplechase and cross-country, the young athlete has shone, in recent years in trail events. He notably obtained a bronze medal during the USATF Trail Half Marathon Championship which took place at the Moab Trail Marathon in Utah last November. From the rolling trails that he knows in the Rockies, Colligan will discover the technical courses of Québec during the QMT-25. “I can’t wait to compete in the top trail race in Canada,” he says.

Kerri LaBrecque

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For a running enthusiast, the name of Kerri LaBrecque is far from unknown. Mother of two children, dietician, and nature lover, Kerri LaBrecque shares her passion wherever she goes and speaks on various podcasts and platforms in the running world. Her refined and thoughtful approach to sport has taken her to many heights both literally and figuratively. She notably finished in 30th position in the vertical ascent event at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022. She also ended up second at the Canadian Cross Country Championships (masters 8 km) in Kingston, Ontario, and second in the Trail du Massif du Sud in 2021. Kerri, who built a family chalet at Mont Ste-Marie, in Outaouais, is therefore no stranger to the trails of Mont-Sainte-Anne. She will be in action on the QMT-25 event.

Martin Dagenais

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Highlights

For Martin Dagenais, running at Québec Mega Trail means “performing on his favorite mountain in Québec”. The Laval resident, who now lives in Lac-Beauport, has carved out a special place for himself in the Québec trail running landscape, without following a trajectory in the university track and field world. His love for sports, long hikes and mountain trips have fueled his consistency and diligence in achieving his goals. The physical education teacher won the 42 km Saint-Siméon of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) and finished second in the 50 km of the Trail La Clinique du Coureur 2023. Internationally, he had a very good performance on the CCC, little sister of the UTMB, with an impressive 45th rank. He also obtained a beautiful second place in the 2021 Challenge du Montcalm de la PicArièege (70 km). The sportsman, who always retains spontaneity of practicing other activities through his training, will be among the athletes to watch on the QMT-25.

Noémie Saint-Laurent

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It is with a “mix of excitement and determination” that Noémie Saint-Laurent will set off on the QMT-25 course, competing in her very first trail race. “I believe that there is no better event than QMT to take on this challenge given that it takes place at home,” believes the trail runner. There is no doubt that Noémie Saint-Laurent belongs among the elites, since she has a solid background in road racing. Her best time in the half-marathon is 1:19:28, which allowed her to pocket a bronze medal at the P’tit Train du Nord 2023. Having evolved within the Rouge et Or athletics club of the Université Laval, the master’s degree graduate of architecture has progressed over distances of 5 km, 10 km, and particularly 21 km in recent years. Her confidence and energy will certainly help her shine on the QMT-25.

Samuël Poher

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Building on his career among the Rouge et Or de l’Université Laval, Samuël Poher has been practicing trail running for several years, investing himself in it with passion. He had an exceptional year 2023 in the slopes of Québec, winning the 20 km of the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) and the demi-marathon des altitudes of the Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs. He finished second in a heated battle during the 2023 QMT-25 as well as in the 26 km event of the Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs. Samuël Poher is above all fueled by the support of the people around him, of a community that he considers amazing and by these challenges undertaken, completed, and those that are to come. He considers the QMT-25 a part of this, and sees it as a very symbolic race. “QMT becomes a staple of the Canadian trail calendar year after year. It’s a leader in terms of organization and level of competition and by gathering together the Quebec racing community,” says Samuël, who hopes to bring home the victory.