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Québec Mega Trail (QMT) is proud to announce today the presence of more than 37 elite athletes at its next edition which will be held from July 4 to 7, 2024. Among these, some 30 elite runners from Québec and Canada will compete in the various QMT events, alongside 7 American representatives and a few European competitors.
“Again this year, we are extremely proud to welcome high-level runners to the region’s trails. It is a first wave of athletes that we are revealing today, but several big names, some of whom are preparing their World Trail Majors’ calendar, could be added to this magnificent list. QMT 2024 will be more competitive than ever, that promises!” – Jean Fortier, general director and founder of Québec Mega Trail
Québec Mega Trail is now part of the World Trail Majors, a new international group including nine of the most iconic trail running events in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.
100 MILES: records to be broken
Both for men and women, several athletes will be in a good position to achieve the course records held by Sangé Sherpa (Nepal) and Kelsey Hogan (Canada). The Newfoundland champion will also be back to defend her title, having shattered her own record last year. The Ontarian Viktoria Brown, holder of the 48h, 72h, 6–day Canadian ultramarathon record, will try to steal the honors, as will the Polish Dominika Stelmach whose personal best in a marathon is 2:36, and the Quebecer Mylène Sansoucy who has the course of 160 km in her sights since its creation in 2021.
Anthony Lee (United States), Ihor Verys (Canada), Dave Stevens (Canada) will compete for first place among the men and will try to complete the event under the 19:35:52 mark left by Sangé Sherpa. Several Quebecers could also climb to the top of the podium. Elliot Cardin, eighth in the 100 km of the Black Canyon Ultra in 2022, as well as Philippe Poulin, who finished third last year in the QMT-100 MILES, behind Kevin Biggs and Pierre-Olivier Campagna, will also try to win the showpiece event.
See the full list of elite athletes here.
QMT-110: hot Québec fight among men
The 110 km event will highlight Québec know-how since David Savard-Gagnon, second in the 40 km of the Oisans Trail Tour, in France, as well as Yannick Bernard, first in the Gaspesia 100 miles 2023, will be part. French born Quebecer Benoit Gaillard, who won the Ultra du Fjord du Saguenay 100 miles, will also compete to reach the highest step of the podium. Added to them will be runner Marvin Foucher, who during the last edition suffered from illness four kilometers from the finish line while he was the leader. So he promises his revenge!
Among the women, the American Samantha Stimac, who finished sixth in the 100 km event at the last Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, will be one to watch.
Great potential over all distances
The QMT-80 will also have its share of headliners, including Eric LiPuma (United States), seventh in the 80 km of the 2023 World Trail Running Championships and Ryan Sullivan (United Stated), third at the 2023 edition of the JFK 50 miles. Geneviève Asselin-Demers, winner of the QMT-110 last year, will undoubtedly be one of the figures to beat among the ladies.
The 50 km event will notably welcome rising star Amélie Simard. Only 20 years old, the Saguenéenne caused a surprise last year by taking first place in the QMT-50. She will thus defend her title this year. Among men, the American David Kilgore, who suffered a nasty fall on his head last year, will try to stand out. Kilgore won the 2023 World Marathon Challenge, which involves running (and winning) seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
At the QMT-25, the public will have to watch the American Grant Colgan, as well as the Quebecer Samüel Poher, who finished second last year over the same distance. He will try to bring home the victory. Noémie Saint-Laurent, who won a bronze medal at the P’tit Train du Nord 2023, is one of the female newcomers to keep an eye on. The athlete who is just starting out in the trail running this year risks impressing with her potential.
A promising 12th edition for QMT
The next edition of Québec Mega Trail will welcome a total of 3,300 runners taking part in ten events, between one and 160 kilometers. All of the events, with the exception of the QMT-100-MILES and the QMT-6, are already sold out. The 100 MILES and 110 km events will once again this year be qualifying races for the legendary Western States 100.
