Course records, 4,500 participants highlight race day at Quebec’s Rimouski Marathon
One of Quebec's most popular fall road races, the SFL Rimouski Marathon and its accompanying distances, was held on Sunday.
Some of Canada’s fastest marathons of 2016 were run today in Rimouski, Que. at the event that attracted more than 4,500 people. The SFL Rimouski Marathon is one of the province’s most popular road races and is known for being a flat and fast course along with having a great atmosphere.
Christian Mercier won the marathon in 2:27:46, which ranks him in the top-10 in Canada for 2016. Mercier has a best of 2:23:21 in the marathon, set in 2012. Andrée Paquet also had a superb run to win the women’s marathon in 2:51:11, just off her seasonal best of 2:50:48 in August. She is ranked 11th in Canada, according to the Marathon Canada rankings.
Both runners broke the previous course records and earned a $1,400 payday as the race looked to attract some of Quebec’s top talent. Race organizers put up $600 for the win, $300 if the course record was broken and an additional $500 for hitting the time bonus (sub-2:30 for men, sub-3:00 for women) on Sunday.
All races have an out-and-back course and run along the St. Lawrence River. The marathon is a popular qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and provided an opportunity for runners to get a mark for 2018 registration.
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SFL Rimouski Marathon race weekend had more than 4,500 runners registered before Sunday making it one of the larger races in Quebec. The city of approximately 45,000 is located in eastern Quebec on the south side of the St. Lawrence River.
On se prépare pour le départ du 15e marathon de Rimouski! Bonne chance aux coureurs! pic.twitter.com/MQYIFjOUy5
— Éric Forest (@EricForestRiki) October 2, 2016
Sunday’s event was action-packed as there were five races beginning at 8:30 a.m. local time with the marathon and half-marathon. The 10K was next at 8:40 a.m. followed by the 5K at 10:10 a.m. and the 1K at 12:30 p.m. According to race timing company Sportstats, the 10K was the most popular event, as measured by finishers, with 1,470 participants.
Conditions were sunny with little wind and temperatures hovered around 10 C in the early stages of the morning, ideal for those looking to run fast or participate in their first road race.
Women’s marathon winner
Cinq premières au Marathon Rimouski, dont la gagnante Andrée Paquet qui établit un nouveau record 2 h 51 m. Trophée Clément Pelletier . pic.twitter.com/zTuEc18TFH
— Rene Levesque (@RLevesque_src) October 2, 2016
Andrée Paquet de Ste-Julie gagne le Marathon de Rimouski chez les femmes avec un temps record de 2:51:11 #icibsl pic.twitter.com/otnJvO2j5Z
— Denis Leduc (@Denisleduc2) October 2, 2016
Men’s marathon winner
Le podium marathon de Rimouski avec Clément Pelletier qui remet Trophée à son nom pour première fois. pic.twitter.com/xsTFht3Rg7
— Rene Levesque (@RLevesque_src) October 2, 2016
Christian Mercier gagnant Marathon de Rimouski avec coordonnateur Sébastien Bolduc. Nouveau record 2 h. 27 m. 46. pic.twitter.com/Q7q6l2f9PB
— Rene Levesque (@RLevesque_src) October 2, 2016
Full results can be found here.
Photos
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