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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 61 to 71]
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M. S. from Springfield, MA.
(9/2/2005)
 "Great End-of-Summer Marathon" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 18th marathon and it was a great end-of-summer experience. The organization was superb and the course was forgiving, even for a back-of-the-pack runner like myself. The fans weren't as numerous as at New York or Boston, but those that were there were sure supportive. The expo was well organized and the medal was beautiful. The water stops were the best I have ever experienced: organization, Gatorade, water, fruit, and vaseline. The shuttle buses were a little difficult to get to because we stayed in 'new' Quebec vs. 'old' Quebec, but the return to the hotel using the city bus was relatively easy. The Quebec Plaza Hotel was the best, great service, beautiful pool. A great destination marathon. Don't forget a bus tour of the city. | |
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Arthur Castellano from New Jersey
(8/30/2005)
"In the words of Arnold... I`ll be back!" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rivess
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I`m a fan of the smaller sized marathons and this one continues to impress me with its support, organization and fair (not easy) and beautiful course. This is my third Quebec City Marathon and again RD Denis and his marathon staff have done an excellent job. All of the basics are done well. From a very organized and easy registration at the host hotel, to a fast bus ride to the start area with plentiful directions, to well stocked fluid stations with enthusiastic volunteers! I agree with my fellow New Jersey-ite who wrote in the previous comment that this is a great way to end the summer! The bonus this year was an overcast sky with light and refreshing showers during parts of the course which helped me reach my goal time and Boston Qualifier. My best to all the caring volunteers! Art Castellano, Race Director New Jersey Marathon | |
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R. L. from New Jersey
(8/29/2005)
 "Good end-of-summer event.." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great organization and hats off to the event coordinator. Everything from the expo, to bus service, ample water stops and information for non-French runners was ample. The course is not easy but not extremely hard due to various turns, long incline for the bridge (not tremendous but long) and many lonely moments. Unfortunately, 2005 was wet with rain rated between a drizzle to serious downpours which probably cut down on spectator support. I can tell you climbing the bridge in heavy rain did not give me an emotional boost I wanted entering the last 1/3 of the race. The bus takes you to the start where you can relax inside the HS and discuss/talk to other runners or perform your pre-race ritual. It is a small marathon event (despite 4 other races for 1/2, 10k, & 5k) with less than 1000 runners. Start off looping around the HS, making your way through various neighborhoods (as few/many fans as you can expect with the downpours). {Thanks to the guy yelling, 'Run Forest Gump, Go!' in French - that was funny.} Continue with a few turns, trailway, hill, turn, hill, until you right turn onto the bridge. After the bridge, long winding exit ramp to the shoreline drive which you will follow until the end of the race. A few bands played various music the last 10k. Another nice thing: Instead of the km markers increasing they were in descending order so you started at 42km and went down to 1km. I think a great thing. Otherwise, I can't complain - I missed my goal by 35 minutes but it was a great long training run. It will only make me better for my next event. BTW - If this is your first visit to Quebec - don't make my mistake! Quebec is a VERY hilly town and one should avoid extensive tourist activities immediately prior to the race as your legs may not recover in time for the event. | |
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Jim Spain from Columbus, Ohio USA
(8/4/2005)
 "The best start of the autumn marathon season." (General Comments)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rivess
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run every Québec City Marathon des deux Rives since its inception in 1998. While it is not the PR material of the flattest course on the most perfectly mild day, it is a great event to have on the calendar during the grinding training days of summer, as well as a most fine place to visit and an early break from the oppressive heat. On the course, the fan support is spontaneous and fun. Even in the narrowed bumper-to-bumber traffic on Blvd. Champlain, no one seems impatient or rude. The size of the participation is just right to maintain the look and feel of a community event. The race itself and the support of the community meld together as happens nowhere else. Not only will you leave with pleasant memories, but also a good preseason benchmark if you choose to go for some goals in the cooler training weeks that lie ahead. As for getting around the area during the weekend, nearly everyone who deals with the public is bilingual. Nonetheless, I would recommend spending some time in elementary French books before going there, both as a courtesy and to make the trip more interesting. You can even build on what you learn from year to year, as it is tempting to return. | |
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Kevin Donoghue from New York City
(11/10/2004)
"Awesome Summer Vacation Marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a well organized race but a challenging race course. Quebec City is a beautiful place to visit. The restaurants are fantastic, the Old City is very scenic, and the organizers and volunteers are awesome. You start off by being bused from Quebec City over the St. Lawrence River to Levis. There runners are able to relax and stay warm inside a high school. The first half is relatively downhill to flat and needs to be run with caution, because the second half can eat you alive. The race really starts at around 23K where you start a steep climb up from river level to a bridge that crosses the St. Lawrence. The climb lasts about 6K at which point the bridge crests and you start your downward run to river level on the Quebec City side. The last 10K is relatively flat, but in 2004 the headwind made it a little tougher. No one said these are supposed to be easy, but if you can do well in Quebec City, you will only get better in other races. | |
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A. H. from Toronto, Ontario
(9/3/2004)
"Awesome on a good day, ugly on a bad one...." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Ran the full-marathon in 2004 and had mixed feelings about the race. It was well organized and the water stops were well-supplied and well-staffed. Course was rough due to having a really strong headwind for the last 12k or so which just about killed my enthusiasm by 38km. The second half of the race was tough beginning with the climb up to the bridge which was followed by the headwind towards the end. Not too many spectators outside of the finish area but those waking up early on Sunday to watch us run were really enthusiastic. Still have a hard time accepting the fact that we were limited to one bagel and one yogurt and one of everything at the finish line. Massage at the end was incredible. On a perfect day, this race is fantastic but with the headwinds for the last 12k, this year's edition of the marathon was not as enjoyable as it could have been. | |
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H. F. from Massachusetts
(9/2/2004)
"It's well worth the trip." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Québec City is a fantastic place to visit. So why not make it a marathon destination too? You can easily drive there from the northeast U.S. If you get lucky with the weather, a fast finishing time is very achievable. I do have a critique, though. Experience tells me that a waterside course is very apt to be windy, and Deux Rives is no exception to this. This year, a strong headwind made the final 15k much harder. Additionally, I had difficulty navigating the official website, and there was a long walk to the buses before the race. The pluses greatly outweigh the drawbacks. Do this race! | |
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K. B. from Boston
(8/31/2004)
"blown away" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What an excellent race despite the strong winds. The aid stations are the best I have seen and the fans, especially on the Levis side, are fun and friendly. Thanks to all of the volunteers. I was surpised that there were no splits on the course, but my experience was overwhelmingly positive. The hills were less challenging then I expected, but the wind was tough. | |
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J. M. from US
(6/10/2004)
"Are you kidding? This is the best marathon!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rivess
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run 18 marathons and this is one of the best, certainly the best organized. The city is just beautiful! Very European... Put it on your list. | |
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M. E. from Perth, ON
(5/4/2004)
 "So so" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I guess I was not that impressed. |
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