Although trail running is a sport that brings people together and is more about pushing yourself than competing, it is important to recognize the outstanding performances of our community's athletes.
Thanks to our program Les Grosses Pointures, we are awarding bibs to athletes who have been outstanding in the past seasons.
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Selection criteria:
✓ ITRA rating
✓ Recent performance(s)
✓ History and visibility
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The 2023 application is now closed. Thanks to all of you!
our 2023 ATHLETES
Josh is a multi-sport athlete who performs in a variety of sports: rock climbing, field hockey, cycling, skiing, and trail running. His training with Team Estrie alongside many of Quebec's top athletes, in addition to his position in the Canadian Armed Forces, has allowed him to propel his physical abilities towards the podium. The Dynafit athlete will be back at UTCC for a 3rd consecutive year.
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2022 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 23 km - 1st place
2021 Bromont Ultra 25 km - 2nd place
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Trail runner since 2021, the Dynafit athlete is progressing and specializing in sub-ultra distances, now competing in international events. Her good results last year, including the Whistler Alpine Meadows, Pike Peaks and the final of the Golden Trail Series in Portugal, allowed her to earn a spot on the Canadian Team for the next World Trail Running Championships in Austria next June. She still keeps a special place for Quebec events, where she loves to connect with the community!
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2022 Golden Trail National Series NA - 1st place
2022 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 23 km - 1st place
2022 Québec Méga Trail 50 km - 3rd place
2022 Whistler Alpine Meadows 50 km - 3rd place
A former university cross-country specialist and marathoner, Samuël is now returning to his first love, trail running. Passionate about nature and mountain adventures, this choice allows him to push his limits while continuing to explore regions still unknown to him.
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2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 65 km - 1st place
2022 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 45 km - 2nd place
2021 Trail du Grand-Duc 50 km - 1st place
2021 Championnats canadiens course en montagne vertical - 2nd place
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Melanie runs with the Montreal Trail Club for the pleasure of being in nature surrounded by the trail community. Since her beginnings in trail running, she has had the pleasant surprise of performing on various courses across Quebec, standing on the podium on several occasions. But before being a runner, the athlete is first and foremost a mother. Her sport practice brings her an important life balance.
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2022 Peak Bloodroot 50 km (US) - 2nd place
2022 Beluga Trail 42 km - 2nd place
2022 Québec Méga Trail 80 km - 3rd place
2021 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42 km St-Siméone - 2nd place
Gabriel has always been a sports enthusiast. Almost 15 years have passed since he turned to endurance sports: cross-country, triathlon and track racing. In 2019, he discovered ultra-trails. This adventure sport and its community simply charmed him and he has made it his main sport ever since.
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2022 Québec Méga Trail 110 km - 1st place
2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 125 km - 3rd place
2021 Québec Méga Trail 160 km - 3rd place
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Marie-Maud is an athlete on the Rouge & Or triathlon team and specializes in long distance running. Having always loved spending time in the woods and running, it was only natural that she fell in love with trail running! After a remarkable season in 2021, Marie-Maud unfortunately had to slow down last year due to injury. Finally back on her feet, she intends to attack this new season with determination!
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2021 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 45 km - 2nd place
2021 Ultra-Trail Harricana 80 km - 2nd place
2021 Bromont Ultra 55 km - 2nd place
2021 Ironman Florida 18-24 - 1st place
Benoit is a former Rouge et Or track and field athlete (800m and 1500m). He decided to leave high speed running for ultra-endurance. From middle-distance to ultramarathon, Benoit made the transition to trail running last year. A gamble that has proven to be successful! After a few podium finishes, Benoit was nominated in the emerging athlete category for the 2022 Racine D'Or Gala.
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2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42 km Classique - 1st place
2022 Bromont Ultra 55 km - 2nd place
2022 Trail du Massif du Sud 22 km - 2nd place
Laurianne has been running for over a decade. After participating in the longer trail events from 2017 to 2019, she is now focusing on distances ranging from 20 km to 50 km. She will be facing the iconic Mont-Albert for the very first time this summer.
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2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42 km Classic - 1st place
2022 Ultra-Trail Gaspésia TP 50 km - 2nd place
2022 Trail du Bic 25 km - 2nd place
David has been trail running since 2016 and has quickly developed his physical capabilities, allowing him to run distances beyond 100 miles! Over the past few years, he has shifted his focus away from organized races and instead has taken on some crazy personal challenges. After several FKT's and running 200 km for the CHUS, David is ready to tackle the technical trails of the 113 km Tel-Loc!
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2022 200 km Sentiers de l'Estrie for the CHUS Foundation
2022 82 km Crossing of Sentiers frontaliers - FKT
2022 80 km White Mountains Hut - Crossing sub 24 hours
2021 140 km Crossing Sentier de l'Estrie - FKT
Originally from Quebec City, Valérie started running for fun a few years ago, not knowing where it would lead her. As a tree planter for almost 10 years, trail running has become another way to find herself, to exercise her mental and physical endurance, and to push her limits in the middle of nature.
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2022 Béluga Ultra Trail 30 km - 1st place
2022 Ultra-trail Harricana 42 km Saint-Siméon - 1st place
2021 Trail du Massif du Sud 21 km - 1st place
2021 Ultranza Ultra-trail 20 km - 1st place
2021 Classique Salomon du Mont-Tremblant 20 km - 2nd place
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Alexis has been trail running for 10 years now, but it wasn't until last year that he tackled his season with a competitive approach. We can say that it paid off, as he now holds the record for the 45 km Altitude Sports! In addition to performing at the races he took part in, he is also the recipient of the 2022 “Jeune pousse” at the gala La racine d’or.
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2022 UTCC 45 km - 1st place (record)
2022 Bromont Ultra 23 km - 3rd place
2022 Traversée du Mont-Sutton et du Mont-Orford - FKT
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Karel has made a strong entry into the world of trail running in 2021 by placing in the top 5 at numerous races on the Quebec calendar. The ON Running athlete, in addition to performing, is also very involved in the community. She founded the 6AM Club Limoulou community and helps out at events whenever she gets the chance.
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2022 Gaspesia 50 km - 3rd place
2022 Trans Vallée 20 km - 2nd place
2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 65 km - 7th place
2022 Trail Clinique du coureur 20 km - 4th place
After qualifying for the Canadian Cross Country Championships, Christopher made the transition to trail running thanks to Éric Lévesque his coach and training partner. He has always been committed to sports and has great ambitions towards performance in the near future. Beyond performing, trail running provides him with a much needed equilibrium in his life.
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2022 Trail de la Clinique du Coureur 20 km - 1st place
2022 Québec Mega Trail 25 km - 2nd place
2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 28 km et 20 km - 2nd place
2022 OCC 55 km - 73th place
2021 UTCC 23 km - 1st place (record)
Always a thrill seeker and passionate about endurance challenges, Juliane has dabbled in a multitude of sports from cross country skiing to cross country running to swimming. Repetitive injuries led her to switch from intensity races to endurance. Her quest for adrenaline motivates her to increase the mileage with the long term goal of participating in ultras. The evolution of this promising athlete will definitely be one to watch in the coming years!
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2022 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 45 km - 1st place
2022 Trail polaire Gaspésia Mont-Saint-Mathieu 20 km - 1st place
2022 Trail du Parc national du Bic 40 km - 2nd place
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Accomplished runner and lover of the outdoors, Matthieu started trail running because he wanted to discover a discipline where time and clocks are set aside in favor of the sensations and challenges of nature. Trail running allows him to push his limits, while enjoying the great outdoors, accompanied and supported by his family support team: his wife and 4 children!
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2022 Bromont Ultra 160 km - 1st place
2022 Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs 113 km - 4th place
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From triathlon, to road, to cross country, to trail, Anne has always been very active and competitive by nature. 2018 marked the beginning of her adventure with trail running as she won the 1st place at the Bromont Ultra 55 km. After a great season in 2019, the pandemic clouded her path. This past year she has rebuilt her confidence and plans to come back stronger in the upcoming season with a healthy approach to competition.
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2019 Québec Mega Trail 110 km - 1st place
2019 Trail de Bourbon 115 km - 1st place
2018 Bromont Ultra 55 km - 1st place​
Originally from Amqui, Olivier has been familiar with the Chic-Chocs since his childhood. However, it was only last season that he made the jump to trail running. His calendar went from exploratory to competitive mode. He even gave a hard time to our gazelle Éric Lévesque at the Trail du Bic! With an uncommon stature for running athletes, Olivier wishes to be a voice for democratizing trail running and to be a positive example for all.
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2022 Trail du Grand Duc 52 km - 1st place
2022 Trail du Massif du Sud 32 km - 1st place
2022 Trail du Parc national du Bic 40 km - 2nd place
2022 Trail Notos 65 km - 3rd place
Coming from a road running background, Genevieve took the 1st place in the Montreal Marathon in 2015 and made the jump to trail running last year. For her first season, Geneviève has carved out a place for herself among the big names in trail running with impressive results including a 1st place at the Gaspésia TP 100 and a 3rd place at the UTHC 125 km.
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2022 Gaspésia TP 100 - 1st place
2022 Trans-Vallée 59 km - 2nd place
2022 Trail du Grand Duc 50 km - 2nd place
2022 Ultra-Trail Harricana 125 km - 3rd place