In an eagerly anticipated reveal, Quebec Mega Path (QMT) introduced its elite lineup on Wednesday for the twelfth version, promising an intense showcase of worldwide expertise throughout varied distances. The occasion, hailed as one of the difficult and delightful ultra-trail races in Canada, is gearing as much as host 3,300 runners from throughout Canada and world wide, taking part in 10 occasions starting from one to 160 kilometres (100 miles).
100-miler data to be challenged
Each women and men will probably be in place to chase the course data held by Sangé Sherpa of Nepal and Newfoundland’s Kelsey Hogan. Hogan will probably be again to defend her title, having shattered her personal document final yr by greater than three and a half hours. Whitby, Ont.’s Viktoria Brown, the Canadian six-day document holder, will attempt to steal the honours, as will Polish ultrarunner Dominika Stelmach, who boasts a speedy 2:36 marathon private greatest.
“QMT is a world-class occasion, and I like the way it brings collectively runners of all experiences and backgrounds—there actually is one thing for everybody!” Hogan advised Canadian Operating.”I’m particularly excited to participate in 2024 as will probably be the primary version of the World Path Majors, and an opportunity to race on a few of my favorite trails with a lineup of fairly unimaginable athletes.”
(The QMT 100-miler occasion is now a part of the World Path Main Collection, a nine-race world operating collection launched this yr that member race administrators say goals to steer path operating “in the best path” by celebrating and preserving the identification of grass-roots races.)
American extremely star Anthony Lee of Boulder, Colo., and Canadian path phenom Ihor Verys of Chilliwack, B.C., will probably be lining up in opposition to each other for the second time this yr. Verys, identified for his record-breaking yard extremely help (to American runner Harvey Lewis) in October, not too long ago received the HURT 100-mile race in Hawaii, with Lee ending second. Nelson, B.C.’s Dave Stevens may even be in competition; Stevens is the course document holder on the legendary American extremely Run Rabbit Run, after profitable the race in 2023.
“I’m wanting ahead to testing Quebec trails and making new trails mates out east,” Verys advised Canadian Operating.
World Path Majors highlight
QMT, launched in 2012, is the only real Canadian cease on this yr’s World Path Main collection, which kicked off in Hong Kong in January and continues with races in Arizona, Spain, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland and England earlier than wrapping up in South Africa in November.
The QMT’s inclusion within the World Path Majors additional solidifies its world significance, aligning it with different iconic trail-running occasions throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.
