Canadian Vertical Uphill Mountain Running Championships – postponed to October 30

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).

Online registration is open from Monday, August 9 through Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Taxes are included. There will be no registration after this date. Price is the same whether you are 16 or 96!

A portion of the money from registration will be offered in prize money to support the athletes who will be competing at the World Championships.

Vertical uphill:

• reduced rate of $45 until October 1, 2021
• regular rate of $55 from October 2 to October 21, 2021
• last minute rate of $65 from October 22 to October 26, 2021

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

Rules of the race

• A participant is any individual who has paid the registration fee and completed all the forms required by the organizers.
• The start of the race is near the information center of the Park. The participant must be present at the time set for the start, i.e. 9:30 a.m. (after having picked up his or her bib and left his or her bag, if applicable). The start will take place at the set time.
• The maximum time to finish the race is noon. After this time, the participant’s time will not be counted and he/she will be considered disqualified.
• Any participant who knowingly does not respect the race route will be disqualified. If he/she gets lost, he/she must turn around and go back to the right place.
• All participants must display a numbered bib with a microchip in a visible place (at the front) that will record their race time. No participant will be allowed to participate in the race if he/she is not duly registered.
• Each participant authorizes the organizers to take photos during the event and to use these photos for promotional purposes on the regional park’s website, its Facebook page or other media, whether paper or electronic (e.g. flyers, posters, newsletter, etc.).
• The organizers decline all responsibility for the results and their physical failure. Each participant is deemed physically fit to run the race.
• The organization of the event reserves the right to impose a maximum number of participants (quota).
• The minimum age to participate in the event is set at:
  • Elite category: 18 years and older;
  • Open category: 16 years and older.
• Walking sticks are allowed. It is the runners’ responsibility to use them carefully and not to harm other runners.
• Throwing litter on the ground will result in disqualification of the runner.
• Headphones are not allowed due to the presence of other users on the trails.
• It is forbidden to run with your dog, even if it is on a leash.
• It is forbidden to run barefoot during the event.
• If a runner encounters an injured runner on the course, he/she must assist him/her until help arrives.
• If a runner wishes to drop out, he/she must inform a volunteer or an employee on the course as soon as possible.
• We expect all participants to show courtesy and sportsmanship. Thank you very much!

COVID measures

• Please note that the vaccination passport will be required for this event.
• The resumption of outdoor public activities and events (sporting, artistic, cultural or recreational) is authorized since June 25, 2021 in all regions of Quebec.
• In order for the Canadian Championships to be held safely, basic sanitary guidelines must be followed at all times. Also, workers and volunteers will have to follow the recommendations and the sanitary requirements in terms of health and safety at work.
• The current physical distancing (1 meter as of July 12) must be respected at all times between people who do not reside in the same household.
• Hand hygiene materials (running water, soap, hydroalcoholic solution) will be made available to runners at strategic locations on the sites (entrances and exits).
• Posters promoting physical distance, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be posted at various locations on the sites.
• In order to respect the sanitary instructions, the event organizers have set up a reservation system (online registration via Réservotron) with pre-established times (schedule of the day).
• The number of participants on the course has been determined by the organizers according to its length and capacity, in order to limit the density and to ensure the respect of the physical distance in force (1 meter as of July 12) between people who do not live at the same address.
• Starts (elite and open categories) will be spread out over time to limit traffic along the course or circuit. Depending on the space available and the number of participants, starts may be organized in waves.
• The maximum number of 500 people on site includes participants and spectators and excludes workers, volunteers and supervisors.
• Physical markers will be installed in lineups to indicate the distance between people who do not reside in the same household.
• Sanitary facilities will be in sufficient number and distributed throughout the site in order to limit crowding.
• The sale of food and beverages will be done at fixed service points.

Policy

Rates (taxes included) and registration :

• Vertical uphill:
  • reduced rate at $45 until October 1, 2021
  • regular rate at $55, from October 2 to October 21, 2021
  • last minute rate at $65, from October 22 to October 26, 2021
• Online registration is open until Tuesday October 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
• Registration fees are non-refundable. However, we allow you to transfer your registration to someone else or to postpone your registration to next year’s Trail du Massif du Sud.

Transfers:

• Transfer of registration is allowed, for a fee of $5.
• To make a transfer, please email us at info@massifdusud.com or contact the Regional Park front desk staff at 418-469-2228, ext. 101.

Race Cancellation or Schedule Changes:

• The holding of the event will depend on the health situation in effect in September. We will of course notify you of any changes to the event.
• The event organizers reserve the right to cancel the event in case of “force majeure”.
  • In such a case, the registration fee is not refundable.
• The event organizers reserve the right to change the start time of the event due to weather conditions (e.g. short thunderstorm).
• The organizers reserve the right to start an event at the determined time, despite the delay of one or more participants.

Bibs pick-up:

• Participants may pick up their bibs the day before the race between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., as well as on race day, September 25, 2021, between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
• It is permitted to pick up another person’s race number, provided that you have the person’s identification in your possession. The presentation of identification prevents the bib from being handed over without the person’s consent.

Code of Ethics and other information

• Volunteers will be placed at each intersection. The course will be marked with a specific color to facilitate orientation in the forest. Keep your eyes open!
• There will be two aid stations (at the halfway point and at the summit).
• As you are sharing the trails with other runners and users, please run on the right side of the trail to allow for passing on the left side, when possible.
• Remember that this event is organized first and foremost for the pleasure of running in the forest and surpassing yourself. Please be courteous to other runners, users, volunteers and park employees.

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.

The eco-responsible runner’s guide

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:

• A collapsible, reusable glass: crush it and store it in a pocket of your shorts. Take it out once at the refreshment station to quench your thirst!
• Different belts or running jackets allow you to carry a good supply of water and snacks (homemade, it also avoids packaging!). This way, the refreshment points will only be used to refill your water bottle!
• For those of you who drink a lot of gels, some brands offer them in large volumes and small reusable bottles are perfect for home refilling.
• Bring a reusable water bottle when you arrive.
• Finally, sorting stations will be present at the main race site. To help us divert as much material as possible from the landfill, please take a few moments to ensure that you put your waste in the right place.

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