Last weekend I was in Quebec, Canada to run the 1/2 Quebec Marathon. This was the third year for this event, I was curious (as to the course of this race), and needed to run a 13 miler and wanted to see friends and family who live in Montreal, so I thought it would work out perfectly.

I decided to pick up my race package on Friday early in the day to avoid the crowds and what a silly thought that turned out to be. I drove from Montreal to Quebec City (it is roughly a 2:30 to 3 hour drive) and got to Hangar du grand marche at 3:00 PM. The number pick up was calm and the expo was the smallest I have ever seen, each in separate rooms. As I am not too fond of expos this was okay with me. While I was there I saw a total of 10 other runners.

For those of you who have never been to Quebec Province let me digress a little. French Canadians in general are laid back people who like to live life to its fullest. Contrary to common belief, they are very welcoming of all people regardless of a French handicap (plus, most French Canadians can speak English - if they feel like it :). Montreal is a city that will allow you to get great Thai at 3 AM, a bowl of latte and a slice of baklava at 5 AM, if that is your thing. Most clubs are open till 2 or 3 AM, and the after hours scene goes on till the morning, if that is your thing. One can hear any kind of music, live, any day of the week - though I have found the selection for country music a bit limited. Quebec City (the Old Town) is a slice of Europe with its ancient architecture, cafes, artisans and cobble stoned streets. A little less English and a little more French here but the same people and the same live and let live attitude.

The two days before the race the weather was great, sunny, high 70s, no humidity and a cool breeze. Of course, the night before the race it started to rain. At 6:30 AM I dragged my still sleeping body to the bus pick up for the 1/2 marathon. Quebec marathon and the 1/2 are point to point races and the runners are taken to the start point via a bus or in the case of the marathoners via a ferry. There is ample parking at the start line and a vast number of cafes and restaurants for your supporters to keep busy while they are waiting for your arrival. The race crosses the St. Lawrence River and has few short yet unexpectedly steep hills. Markers are placed at every kilometer and mile markers are placed at every 5 miles.

During the bus ride to the start-line I met quite a few runners and was thankful for my earlier purchase of the cheap thermal blanket as everyone was already wet and cold. At the start line we waited for an hour for the start gun that was scheduled to go off at 8:30 AM. At 8:30 AM we took off with not much fan fair but lots of runner enthusiasm up a gradual hill that went on for 1/4 a mile. For the first 3 - 4 miles it rained heavily...the course went through suburban areas of Levis, I am afraid nothing too exciting. At approximately mile 5 - 6 we ran through Quebec Bridge with a great view of the St. Lawrence River and the wind started! At this point all runners got really quiet. After the bridge it was a nice downhill onto Boul. Champlain with a very strong headwind. Boul. Champlain winds by St. Lawrence River with great views of the river bank, which was a bit hard for us to enjoy due to the strong wind and on and off rain. The finish line came after an uphill run that lasted approx 1/4 a mile with a winding finish at the Old Town port.

Overall, my impression of the race was of a quiet and pleasant run with well supplied aid stations (14 water, 7 All Sport and 1 food station). The crowd support is a 3 out of 10, with an incredible finish line. I have never run Boston or NYCM, however, this was the best finish line I have run through. 1/5 mile from the finish line was lined with stands that allowed a large number of spectators to sit or stand while waiting for the runners. It was an incredible feeling to run through the screaming crowd, and I mean SCREAMING! Despite the legs made of lead and getting a little lost earlier (don't ask me why, I did get lost - I was in a zone and I was not paying attention), I had a great finish and ran a PR (i.e., Penguin Record).

This is a young event that costs $30 (or up to $50 with late registration) for the marathon and $30 for the 1/2 marathon (or up to $50 with late registration). There is of course the 10K as well. Runners get chip time, the usual T-shirt and a free poster with their goody bag. At the finish line runners get a good selection of food, good coffee (!), and free massages.