Runners who finish the Beneva Quebec City Marathon twice in a row

Simon Pierre Leblanc started last week Beneva Quebec City Marathon A few hours ahead of the rest of the pack. He had planned to run the race twice, just for fun. The 35-year-old Quebec native has been an ambassador for Je Cours QC (the organization that organizes marathons and other races) since 2017 and will come up with something special for this year’s race. said he decided to

“While running the 34K Trail du Coureur des Bois race, I realized I had the stamina to run two marathons. The idea was to keep it simple and have a blast,” said the runner. increase.

LeBlanc hasn’t always been an athlete. His story is one that many can relate to. a trying time in his life“I’m an ex-smoker with a sedentary lifestyle,” he explains. In 2011, LeBlanc received a DUI after driving just over the legal blood alcohol limit. Luckily no one was hurt, it was a wake-up call for him.

“I was teetering in life,” LeBlanc says. Realizing that he had no transportation to go to work, he used the opportunity to make some changes. “I took this incident as a lesson to myself and figured I would walk 45 minutes back to work for about a year. increase.

In 2014, LeBlanc stumbled upon a Youtube video of a trail runner and says the moment changed his life. “I discovered trail and ultrarunning and jump-started what became my ultimate calling card. I ran my first 25K trail race in 2014. I felt lost and scared. I’ve never done anything this hard in my life.”

No matter how difficult the race seemed, Leblanc was hooked. “I decided to dedicate my life away from work to running. I spent hours sweating, crying, bleeding and putting everything I had into being the best runner I could be.” LeBlanc scored several podiums and competed against famous Canadians Mathieu Blanchard When Rob Clark.

For this year’s Quebec City Marathon, Leblanc and the course organizers decided that he would run the first marathon distance before the 8:15am mass start. “I wanted to take it easy and enjoy the 84.4km run, so I started at 4:15 that morning. [at the race start] I put on my bibs on time and took a 3 minute break between the two marathons. ”

Like many at the event, LeBlanc felt it was the perfect day, even though (or because) he ran twice as far as most marathoners. “What a wonderful day,” says LeBlanc. “The thrill and fun of running in my city when everyone was asleep, following his line with his 8,000 other runners for a real start and finishing his 42K with everyone cheering.” Combined with the heart-pounding excitement of the world, nothing beats it!”

The 2022 Beneva Quebec City Marathon, held on October 2nd for the first time in two years, was a huge success, with multiple events taking place over the weekend. Runners loved the new start and finish line parties at Parc Jean Beribault.Blue skies and ideal running weather set the stage for a beautiful race through the heart of Quebec City with the local mayor Bruno Marchand Join the festivities as Pace Bunny at a half-marathon distance.

Etobicoke, Ontario David Mutai It was won in 2:24:21, followed by two Quebec-based runners. Alexis Lavoie Gilbert At 2:27:08. Anthony LaRouche finished the trio in 2:30:57.

In the women’s race, a Quebec-based trio defended the event. Nadia Bolduc Break the ribbon at 2:57:57 followed by Joanie Charland at 2:59:20 Catherine Papillon At 3:03:03.

For Beneva Quebec Marathon details and full event results, visit here.