Home » Activities » Canadian Vertical Uphill Mountain Running Championships
On Saturday, October 30, 2021, the Massif du Sud regional park (PRMS), the Club de course de Montmagny (CCM) and the Canadian Mountain Running Association (CMRA) invite you to an exciting event: the vertical uphill. This race will serve as the Canadian Championships and will allow the two fastest women and two fastest men to qualify for the World Championships of the discipline*, scheduled to take place in Chiang Mai (Thailand), in February 2022.
*Athletes must be members of Fédération québécoise d’athlétisme or another provincial branch of Athletics Canada in order to be eligible to qualify for the national team.
**Please note that, according to government requirements, the vaccination passport will apply on the day of the event.
What is the vertical uphill?
The vertical uphill is an event where the course consists of an important positive vertical gain and a relatively short distance.
What about this event in Massif du Sud regional park?
We will try to make you live a vertical kilometer experience, by proposing a course that goes from the information center to the summit of the highest mountain in Chaudière-Appalaches, Mount Saint-Magloire (917 m). The 7 km race will allow you to climb approximately 525 meters. The section that comes closest to a VK? A 1.8 km trail, with a positive gain of 265 meters (average slope of 14.7%)!
What does the course consist of?
The course starts with a gravel road (400 m), then continues on two mountain bike trails. Then come an old snowmobile trail (the steepest section!) and a hiking trail. The finish line is at the top of Mont Saint-Magloire. Here is the training course that we propose (identical to the official course, except for about 1.1 km). To get the GPX file, click on the activity, then on the three dots on the left of the screen. Choose Export to GPX.
How will the course be marked?
We will place volunteers at each intersection (about 15), as well as use coloured flags and arrows. Our goal is to keep you focused on getting to the top!
Will there be aid stations?
Yes, one at the halfway point and one at the summit. Please note that we will not provide glasses. It is your responsibility to bring a hydration solution (packable glass, bottle, backpack, etc.).We also invite you to come to the Desjardins Pavilion after the race to enjoy a good time with your fellow runners (and a beer!).
Once I get to the top, how do I get back to the starting point?
Remember the two legs that carried you to the top? You’ll have to ask them to go back the other way! We are not able to offer a shuttle service, and since we are not a ski resort, we do not have a chairlift. There is more than one way to get back to the starting line, via our hiking trails.
Will I be able to send a bag to the summit?
Yes, it will be possible to do so. We ask that you keep the size of the bag to a minimum (between 15 and 25 liters), as we want to bring all the bags to the summit in one vehicle.
Are there multiple categories in the event?
As there was no qualifying race for the Nationals this year, the event is open to all. That being said, we will be offering two categories: 1) elite category 2) open category. If you want a chance to compete at the World Championships, choose the Elite category; if you are looking for a different trail running experience, a new challenge, but do not have the ambition to make the national team, choose the Open category.
Is there a limited number of places?
At this time, we have set a limit of 200 participants, 80 in the elite category and 120 in the open category. We will re-evaluate this limit depending on the interest of runners in this race.
How do I register?
Through Reservotron. Click here or on the button at the bottom of this page.
What will I keep as a souvenir?
When the Canadian Mountain Running Association approached us to host the event, we knew we had to move quickly. We will focus our efforts on providing you with a course that meets your expectations and a service that is second to none. We are confident that you will have fond memories of this event, but please note that you will not leave with a medal or a t-shirt.
Will there be any prize money?
Yes, we would like to offer prize money to the first three positions (women and men). The amount is still to be determined and will depend on the number of entries.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, but we recommend that you arrive early, as the color period is very popular at the regional park.
Where can I stay?
The regional park offers a variety of accommodation options. You can also consult the websites of Tourisme Etchemins and Tourisme Bellechasse. The region also offers several possibilities, notably in the municipalities adjacent to the park (Buckland, Saint-Luc, Saint-Magloire, Saint-Philémon).
Event: vertical uphill
The event takes place in the Massif du Sud regional park. You will use various types of trails (hiking, mountain bike, old snowmobile trail).
Vertical uphill:
SCHEDULE (may vary slightly)
Friday, October 29, 2021
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Bibs pick-up
Saturday, October 30, 2021
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: bib pick-up
8:30 a.m.: maximum time for dropping off a bag to be taken to the summit of Mount Saint-Magloire
9:20 a.m.: welcome, rules, thanks
9:30 a.m.: START OF THE ELITE CATEGORY
9:35 a.m.: START OF THE OPEN CATEGORY
10:15 a.m.: Estimated time of arrival of winners
11:00 a.m.: Pavilion is open for racers (snacks, beer)
1:00 p.m.: Presentation of prize money
COVID measures
Rates (taxes included) and registration :
Transfers:
Race Cancellation or Schedule Changes:
Bibs pick-up:
At Massif du Sud Regional Park, we are committed to protecting the environment and we want to showcase this exceptional territory for the benefit of nature and outdoor enthusiasts. In this context, the team responsible for the event intends to put forward concrete measures to reduce the environmental impacts that this trail race could have.
As we are committed to the protection of our natural spaces, so dear to the practice of outdoor activities, we propose certain measures to reduce the impact that your passage on the park’s trails will have. After the race, only your sense of accomplishment should remain!
Residual materials
All good trail runners know that they must bring back all their material (equipment, containers, packaging, etc.). Pay special attention to your gel packs. And if you see one on the trail, why not pick it up!
The organization will provide several resources at the two food and hydration stations, but no glasses! Bring the necessary equipment to hydrate yourself:
Transportation
Since the park’s beautiful playground is located several kilometers from major urban centers, we strongly encourage you to make the most of your trip by carpooling. The thread on the race’s Facebook event page is a good place to post your carpool offer or need.
Are you a local runner? Why not do your warm-up by riding your bike!
Medals and other promotional items
For this event, what we want you to remember is the fact that you have taken on the challenge of a vertical kilometer, and the simple pleasure of being in contact with nature and sharing this passion with others.
Do you have any other suggestions on how to make the event even more eco-friendly? Write to info@massifdusud.com