Marathon Beneva de Montréal is back for 2023

Runners, take your marks: the Marathon Beneva de Montréal is returning for its 31st year this September, and as the largest running event in Quebec, it will undoubtedly be a weekend to remember. From September 22 to 24, runners of all levels will have the opportunity to participate in races ranging in distance from one kilometre up to the marathon and will be able to discover the city’s parks, riverbanks, and wide-open spaces along the way.

Participants have the option to choose between several individual and team options, including:

• Marathon
• Half-marathon
• 10K, for which the organization is proud to partner with the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
• The Sports Experts 5K
• The 1K I Love Fruits and Veggies, Movement’s Little Steps Marathon
• and many other race combos

Runners who really want to get the most out of the event can also opt to participate in two races over the course of the weekend.

“This year marked the return of our organization to the helm of this signature city event, and we hope to bring participants from around the world together to run at their own pace in a setting that’s more festive than ever,” said Sebastien Arsenault, president and CEO of the event. “This coming September 23 and 24, Montréal will move to the marathon beat and celebrate the city’s major end-of-summer celebrations.”

There is more than $30,000 up for grabs in the elite program, including prize money for the top male and top female runners from Quebec, and for breaking the course record, which was set in 2022 in 2:09:25. The 42.2-km distance is certified by Athletics Canada for athletes accumulating points for different classifications.

Run for a cause

This year’s race weekend will include the return of the Run with Heart program, and runners have the opportunity to support more than 50 charitable organizations that have registered for the program for 2023. As the title sponsor, Beneva will be awarding grants to nine outstanding organizations, and the Marathon Beneva de Montréal organization will also give $1 to the Fédération québécoise d’athlétisme for each registered participant.

This year’s event has also been certified “carbon neutral” by Planetair, which means the Marathon Beneva de Montréal and its partners will offset its GHG emissions and invite participants to do likewise when they register, as well as taking part in other sustainable event initiatives.

Among this year’s race ambassadors is Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, Quebec’s 1,500m record-holder.

“Pushing yourself farther is the one thing that unites us all in racing. That’s why I am happy to be a pace bunny at the half-marathon this year and help runners reach their goals,” says Philibert-Thiboutot. “It’s so inspiring to see thousands of people cross the finish line, often in a mixture of euphoria and pain as the seemingly insurmountable has been conquered. Let’s celebrate our  sport and set new personal goals at the Marathon Beneva de Montréal!”

How to register

To participate in this year’s race weekend, head over to the event website to register for your race of choice. There are options to race as a single participant and in teams, and there will also be an adapted sport category that allows people with physical, intellectual or visual limitations to take part in the races. Prices range from $20 for the one-kilometre kids’ run, to $130 for the marathon.