Quebec City Marathon
Quebec City, Canada
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
This October, runners and walkers will embark on a postcard-perfect course that winds through the most beautiful streets of the City of Quebec. The marathon course stands out for its ‘postcard’ and urban character, showcasing the City of Quebec’s finest attractions, a jewel of world heritage. The route crosses three … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 03):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°C) | 20 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 14 |
| L (°C) | 6 | 13 | 14 | -0 | 5 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Just go!
Quebec City is magical. This race is a must-do. It has everything. The course is through historical downtown the trip is worth a long weekend in the city. The only … MORE
Quebec City is magical. This race is a must-do. It has everything. The course is through historical downtown the trip is worth a long weekend in the city. The only thing I didn’t like was getting to / from the race. I did not rent a car in Quebec City and so had to take an Uber to/from the race. I stayed downtown in the historic district. The race is about 20 minute by car from downtown. With that said, that’s a minor complaint. No race is perfect, but this one is close.
Just go. Enjoy the race. Enjoy the city. Have a chocolate croissant and some poutine.
Well done hilly fun!
Race production was on point for all aspects. Packet pickup and race start/finish are the same general area. Lots of parking. Only negative/challenge was EVERYTHING was in French. No real … MORE
Race production was on point for all aspects. Packet pickup and race start/finish are the same general area. Lots of parking. Only negative/challenge was EVERYTHING was in French. No real issues with Google translate on the race emails and everyone spoke English too just a little awkward getting there sometimes.
I stayed downtown in an historic restaurant/hotel. Walking to everything you might want to see or do or eat! If you drive parking downtown is messy or there are several public parking garages. I did that $20C a day. There are busses everywhere if that’s your thing even from the airport. Free busses to the race start too!
Half starts late 9:35. Marathon starts at 8am. First wave leaves at 9:35. Second not until 9:50…. Way too long a gap. Course is super well laid out and you go down the river on paths and also through the city on the roads All roads were separated from cars made it real easy and safe. Water stops were more than needed, brown cups for water. Gatorade cups for, you know. Some snack bars and oranges second half of the race too! 50 portapotties at the start. Not really enough with the half and 10k people there at the same time. A few on the course, but about half the course you could have found a tree if need be.
There are many little hills and 1-2 big ones. 600’ gain and loss almost all before the halfway turn around. Live bands playing, lots of people cheering (in French). Temps were 20 degrees above normal this year but still not bad 60-75F.
Medal was good, shirt too! Lots of food (prepackaged) to take with you in a provided cloth bag.
Hilly tough course
They redid the course and moved the date from Aug to Oct so this review will be based on just the new course. Nothing to compare it to from previous … MORE
They redid the course and moved the date from Aug to Oct so this review will be based on just the new course. Nothing to compare it to from previous years.
Expo – easy packet pick up. Lots of nice people. Not a lot of expo exhibitors so easy in easy out
Start – about 1900 people in the marathon. Nice smooth start right on time.
Weather – had perfect weather. In the mid 30’s at the start warming to sunny and in the 40’s
Course – hilly hilly hilly. First 4 miles downhill thru Old Quebec then about 8 miles out and back on really nice bike path thru greenery and parks. Then mile 12 thru 17 are straight back up hill back to Old Quebec. Then 2 or 3 miles thru a park then the last 7 or 8 miles out a main road thru a neighborhood and bac again. Rolling hills the whole way. The trees were changing and the whole area is awash in color.
Just as a warning – on the website there are timing checkpoints and a marathon time limit of 6 hours. These checkpoints are enforced. Saw them loading people up on buses that didn’t make the times. Nobody on the results page with finish time greater than 6 hours.
Swag – very nice designed medal. Not to big or small. Official marathon merchandise was very limited in a very small booth at the expo
Crowd – lots of tourist cutting in and across the road. So beware. But lots of nice people cheering you on everywhere.