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May 2, 2024

Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives Runner Comments

Back to Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.1

Number of comments: 87 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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S. S. from Washington, DC (8/26/2013) "could be so much better" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It's a truism that the RD can't control the weather, but when the weather is a significant negative three years in a row (too hot the last two years, canceled due to tropical storm winds the year before that), the RD should give some serious thought to the things over which he or she does have some control, like scheduling and course: 1. Scheduling. A. Why run the race in August if the weather on race day is consistently unfavorable? Why not move it to June or September? B. Why start the race at 8:30? There is a 7:30 start for walkers (of whom I didn't pass more than a couple dozen). The 8:30 start means that the vast majority of people running the full finish after noon the height of the heat. 2. The course. And the heat is exacerbated by the fact that there is literally no shade over the last 7 miles or so (once you cross the bridge). Also, Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, but you wouldn't know it from running this boring course of suburban bike trails and urban highways. One day, Competitor is going to discover Quebec City and eat the current organizers' lunch.
K. M. from Vermont USA (8/26/2013) "Beautiful course!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Having never been to Quebec city before we completly enjoyed our visit and race. The ferry ride to the start was a great way to start morning. First 13-14 miles flat shady looking over to Quebec city on all closed roads and bike paths. Wonderful not to have to worry about traffic. 2nd half not as scenic plus the temp started to really go up. Showers and aid stations along the 2nd half were wonderful to cool off. Would definetly do again!
P. L. from Maine (9/2/2012) "Wonderful place to run." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Of the 22 long races I've done, this was my favorite and while I would love to give it a 10, I'd have to back that off just because they didn't come up with a way to keep the fluids cooler than the air temp. It was a VERY hot race, which was ok, but the water was the same temp which did nothing to curb ones thirst. Other than that, it was wonderful. Lots of spectators, lots of volunteers, wonderful pits stops, great expo, nice finish and a very cool shower unit.
a. b. from United State (6/20/2011) "IT WAS REALLY GREAT!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rivess COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Quebec City Marathon 8.30.09 - Be careful of the weather here. It was the coldest, windiest day they had ever had in summer. It rained most of the marathon and the sun came out in the last 750KM. Go figure.
Lionel Simpson from Nova Scotia (5/14/2011) "Can't say enough about my race weekend in Quebec C" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I think you'd be hard pressed to find a friendlier marathon city. Loved the course, and the fans cheering, "Bravo, Bravo" and cooling you off with their water hoses. It was hot, but it was August... suck it up. RUN IT... LOVE IT Already signed up for 2011.
D. C. from Barbados (9/5/2010) "Route too hot!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I'm from a hot country and we don't run in this heat starting at 8.30 a.m. Our own Barbados Marathon starts at 4:30 a.m.; we respect the heat. The weather on this day was 29 C, 37 C with Humidex (feels like 104 F). Not a cloud in the sky. During normal weather, the marathon route I imagine would be nice on the Levis side, and a bit boring on the Quebec side after the bridge as it's just highway and highway. In hot weather, however, this route is not so much challenging as dangerous. After this has occurred several times now in the 13 year history of this marathon, you would think that the organizers would either 1: make a last-minute time change to 6:30 a.m. start time announced the day before or 2: change the route permanently to avoid having a 21.1K second half that is completely unshaded. A 47-year-old man had a heart attack a few miles before the finish, and there were many, many people being treated for heat sickness along the route and at the end (including myself) in the medic tent. I think there was a fatality in the second year of this marathon - a 32-year-old male, also on a hot day. Despite the heat, the citizens on the Levis side were great, lining the route with their chairs and makeshift sprinkler showers, and clapping and cheering, telling you to "keep on going" in French. I waved and thanked everyone as I passed. What amazing support. The fans died out before the bridge, and there were few after that until the end, but those that you saw, especially near the end of the race, would yell at you in French that you were almost there. I want to add as well that almost everyone speaks a bit of English in Quebec City and anyone wanting to run this would not have any problems at all with the language barrier. Quebec City is a very old city, and its architecture is very European. Also, Levis is like a French seaside town; the houses resemble homes in Brittany in the north of France. Amazing!
Charlotte Hammar from Cleveland, Ohio (9/4/2010) "Beautiful course; nice destination marathon." (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall the organization was good, except one caution: make sure you get on the correct bus for either the half or full marathon. I got on the wrong bus because the organizer spoke only in French. Luckily a very kind volunteer and bus driver drove me to the correct start point at the last minute. The aid stations were excellent, the course is beautiful, and yes, there are only a few "hills" but also some rather long, 20-30-degree inclines. The inclines did not bother me and I was pleased with my time at this race. It was hot on the day we ran, with the occasional nice breeze, but by taking full advantage of the aid stations I did just fine. I would recommend this marathon if you enjoy both a physical challenge and a cultural experience.
S. D. from Montreal, Qc (9/1/2010) "Nice Surprise!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I registered for this race with relatively low expectations. I wanted to run a half-marathon relatively close to home and one that was scheduled at the end of the summer. I do not know of anyone who has run this race and therefore had no prior knowledge of what to expect. I had an excellent experience! The race route was nicely planned out. It was scenic and interesting enough to keep my mind busy throughout the run. It ran through a charming waterfront neighborhood, across the bridge into Quebec City, along the St. Laurence River, and into the city. A couple of hills, but it was generally flat and fast. It is relatively well organized. I stayed in one of the event hotels, which offered a shuttle service to the ferry. The volunteers were very friendly. Everybody I encountered spoke English better than I had expected. There weren't too many spectators along the way, but the closer we got to the finish line, the more people there were cheering on runners. Tons of food at the finish line: chocolate milk, fruit, yogurt, bagels, cookies, broth, water, and sodas. So, if you're looking at running a race in the province of Quebec, this one is definitely worth the trip. Marathon swag: Finishers' medals have LEDs that flash. Extra batteries are provided too! The tech shirt is not bad; unfortunately, they are all men's cut, which is not a great fit for the ladies. Also, a reusable cloth bag with pictures from previous marathons.
G. G. from Sarasota, FL (8/30/2010) "C'EST MAGNIFIQUE!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is one of the best-kept secrets in the marathon world! I hadn't heard of it until I had to scramble to find a late-August marathon in a state/province I hadn't run yet. I am so happy I ran across it! This was my 36th marathon and it absolutely was the most beautiful course I have ever run. We saw the St. Lawrence River, which was spectacular for about 2/3 of the race. The architecture in the cities is absolutely unbelievable. The race starts in Levis and finishes in Quebec. I don't know of a race with better organization, better volunteers, or any more friendliness. Fan support was second only to Boston - we ran through neighborhoods with everyone out supporting us with smiles, applause, water and sprinklers. The race shirts were great, two-color, technical shirts, and, the medal was absolutely one of the best I have received (it even lights up). Yes, there were some hills, particularly going up to, and yes, after the bridge crossing the river. The worst was a congested construction area leading up to the bridge where I got plowed into by a non-marathon-related bike. Outside of that, and the unusually hot day (record set for that day at 85 degrees... it was 40 something last year), it was an event that I would recommend to everyone!
Mick Whitehead from Normandy Park, WA (1/11/2010) "Great Race, Great City, Potential PR" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Marathon des Deux Rives (two shores marathon) is a great course in a fantastic city that I targeted for my 2009 destination marathon and I was not disappointed There are many fine hotels in the Old City within easy walking distance of the ferry that takes you across the St. Laurence river to Levis and the start. My wife and I took advantage of the pasta supper the night before and it was worthwhile, but there are many restaurants to choose from. The expo was good and it was nice to get a runner's shirt that was not black nor long-sleeved for a change. Taking the ferry was unique and well-managed (my wife, a spectator, bought a $5 ticket at the expo and went with me to the start, and then after we began, the race was bussed to the finish). When we got to Levis, it was nice getting off the ferry and then breezing by the long line of half marathoners waiting for their bus and walking right on the marathon bus (worth the extra 13.1 miles of effort!). Toilets are adequete at the start, with (tip) port-a-potties available outside the school. It was overcast and drizzly to start the race, which limited vista views of the area, but the course was very fair, with no major uphills and plenty of water/Gatorade stops. There were many open toilets at the halfway mark, used for the half-marathon start, that I felt guilty not using. Spectators were sporadic but enthusiastic, and it's a great setting at the finish. The course allowed me to be on a pace for my PR, but a leg issue in the last six miles derailed that result. The only negative was that, without renting a car, the only two times my wife was able to see me was at the start and finish. Quebec City is the most picturesque city in North America and there is so much to see and do either before or after the race. The four days we were visiting were hardly enough. Language is not a problem, as all service people (except a few cabbies) are bilingual and very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

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