Runs

ON THE RUN IN… Sherbrooke, Quebec

February 17, 2011
By Carolyne Van Der Meer

The sixth-largest city in Quebec, Sherbrooke is nestled in the Eastern Townships, about 40 minutes past the Mont-Orford-Magog region. With a population of just over 150,000 in the city proper and close to 200,000 in the greater metropolitan area, it is by no means a huge centre, yet it is the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city service. Largely francophone with a sizeable English and bilingual population, Sherbrooke’s many active residents can often be seen “either walking, running or trekking,” according to Coin des Coureurs (Running Room) manager Catherine Blais. She thinks it’s because of the breathtakingly beautiful landscape, “a playground that people can enjoy while taking care of themselves.” In fact, in 2010, Sherbrooke was deemed Canada’s happiest city based on a study released by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, with more than 92 per cent of citizens reporting that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their lives in 2009. This doesn’t surprise Blais, who believes that access to the great outdoors goes together with being happy. “Sherbrooke is a place that leads in terms of healthy life choices. When I ask our running participants, they all agree,” she says.

The Routes

Short - 5K

Mount-Bellevue Trail Run

This route starts off that the primary entry point for Parc du Mount-Bellevue. From here, you follow the path closest to the road, which takes you behind the Université de Sherbrooke on the right hand side. At this point, turn left on the path there and back, and then, continuing on the exterior path, you arrive at a secondary entry to the park. You will pass an archery practice range, then go around the Mount-Bellevue cross and down to the main path back to the main entry, which is a ski trail in winter. “This trail run is much loved by everyone,” says Blais.

Medium - 11K

Grand Times Run

Start at Parc Jacques-Cartier and take the cycling path longing the railroad tracks. From here, you will see part of King Street West, Sherbrooke’s main drag. You’ll tuck behind industrial buildings and then branch off towards a little wood. A gorgeous path takes you underneath Highway 410 to continue on the cycling path. You end up in a very quiet residential area and continue towards Parc Lucien-Blanchard. There is a beach on the left with a nice view, a place where families spend a lot of time. The path then follows a swamp and takes you back to Parc Jacques-Cartier going towards the lake. The Mont-Orford Express departure area is on the right - which won a tourism train award. The Marché de la Gare (station market) is next to it. Then you go by the Grand Times Hôtel and back to the starting point.

Long - 20K

St-François River Run

Start from the Coin des Coureurs store location at 3145 Portland Boulevard. Take McCrea Street, which turns into a dirt road with more of a countryside feel to it. At the intersection, turn left on Mgr. Fortier and follow the cycling path. Then turn left on Pryce and right on Duvenay. After this, you’ll take a left on Beckett Street and on the left, you will see Beckett Park. Head down into the old part of the city and turn right on Ontario Street, which turns into Prospect Street and goes down to the St-François River. Follow the river on the cycling path and make a U-turn. Retrace your steps for approximately 3K and then turn left on Galt Street East, which eventually turns in Galt Street West. Turn left on Alexandre and cut into Parc Camirand, which will take you to Parc Jacques-Cartier after you pass the Grand Times Hôtel and the Marché de la Gare. Continue along the railroad tracks and turn onto Jacques-Cartier Street, pass Le Cartier /St-Malo Restaurant and turn left on Prospect. You then follow the cycling path to Lionel-Groulx Street. Cross this street and turn onto Richard Street. At the end of Richard, turn right on McCrea and head back to the store on Portland.

Races

Sherbrooke’s racing roster is just getting started, with much focus from Catherine Blais and Caroline Kronlov, the Quebec events coordinator for Coin des Coureurs. There are many casual races that are part of the store’s clinics, used as a goal-setter at the end of 10-week training programs. But the main races at the moment include the Courir pour Nourir (proceeds to Club des petits déjeuners du Québec), the inaugural running of which was held this past September 26. The Sherbrooke Coin des Coureurs has also become involved in the organization of the Run for the Cure (first Sunday in October), the Santa Shuffle (proceeds to the Salvation Army) and the Brita Resolution Run on December 31. “Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships have always been very active. People are very outdoorsy,” explains Blais. “There used to be more races about 15 years ago, and we are working hard to bring that back to this city.”

Where to eat

Restaurant Le Cartier Pub St. Malo (255 Jacques-Cartier Blvd. South) gets top marks from Blais, who explains that half the restaurant is a classic dining area while the other half is a casual tavern. Next to the Parc Jacques-Cartier, it has a lovely terrace, a great ambiance and “good breakfasts.” But if your running appetite needs to be satisfied with a gourmande burger à la cuisine française, the spot for you is Antiquarius Café (182 Wellington North). Other cuisines are on offer and you can enjoy live music, too. Fondue Folie (2258 King West) offers, not surprisingly, fondue, but a rich menu of cheese and 14 types of local meat. Le Chou de Bruxelles (1461 Galt West) is a more upscale French restaurant if you’re looking for a refined night on the town. And Au Four à Bois (3025 King West) has excellent wood-oven pizza and an array of pasta dishes. Finally, if you need coffee, there is the well-reputed Brûlerie Caffuccino (1 Wellington North and 1700 King West), which, by all accounts, serves “really good desserts and coffee,” but also has a lunch and dinner menu. Specialty coffees can be found at Brûlerie de Café de Sherbrooke (180 Wellington North and 930 Blais Street) and if you go with an appetite, you can always order lunch.

Running Gear

There are few specialty running stores in Sherbrooke. Your best bet is Coin des Coureurs at 3145 Portland Boulevard. And Atmosphere Sports at 2325 King West has a wide selection of footwear and clothing.

Where to Stay

The Grand Times Hôtel at 1 Belvédère South gets the best rating. Located beside the Lac Nations, it is also on some well-loved running routes. Another good choice is the Delta Sherbrooke Hotel and Conference Centre at 2685 King West.

Carolyne Van Der Meer is a regular contributor to Canadian Running, who, if she left Montreal, would choose the Eastern Townships as the next best place to live.