Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs: a must-do Canadian trail experience
With eight different race options from a 5K up to a 113K ultra, there's no excuse not to sign up for this event
Photo by:
Éliott Lessard
The Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs (UTCC) is on its way to becoming one of the top trail races and ultramarathons in Canada. Taking runners through Quebec’s Chic-Choc Mountains, the event couldn’t have better scenery, and the rugged terrain makes for a tremendous challenge, regardless of which race distance you choose. There are eight distance options for adults, plus a kids’ 3K run, so there’s really no reason not to enter the UTCC. This year will mark the fourth running of the event, which is set to run from Aug. 18 to 20.
The races
Other than the kids-only 3K, the shortest UTCC race option is a 5.5K run. In this race, participants will run a two-loop course that covers 121 metres of elevation gain. For about half of each loop, runners will enjoy a view of the Sainte-Anne River, and the other half will take them into the hills, where they’ll hit some climbs.
The next distance up is the Lac Aux Américains 10K. This point-to-point race takes runners on the region’s International Appalachian Trail, and features “semi-technical mountain” sections. The 10K includes more than 200m of climbing, but in this race, there is actually far more elevation loss than total gain. Between the start and finish, runners will encounter more than 650 metres of descent.
The 23K Mount Albert is where things start to get truly difficult (not that anyone would call the shorter races easy), as runners will cover a total of 1,230 metres of elevation gain (the course hits a peak altitude of 1,067m). The race starts with an easy stretch of a few kilometres before hitting Mount Olivine, a 670-metre climb. At the top, race organizers note that runners will have an exceptional view of the Chic-Chocs–provided they’re not in too much discomfort to take in the spectacular scenery! After this, runners proceed to climb and descend Mount Albert. The final 6.5 km is all downhill, which will give runners’ legs a proper beating before they cross the finish line.
The next distance up is the 26K Mount Xalibu, which features slightly more elevation gain than the 23K run, with a total of 1,290 metres. This race takes runners up multiple mountains, including the titular Mount Xalibu, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,120m.
After the 26K run, the rest of the UTCC races are ultra distances. There’s a 45K, a 62K and a 78K before the event’s main draw: the 113K La Grande Traversée ultra. As one could probably guess, the races only get more difficult as they get longer, and not just because of total distance. The 45K features 2,070m of climbing, thanks to three summits on the course. The 62K hits 2,910m in total elevation gain and a whopping seven separate summits. In the 78K, runners will hit nine different summits and ascend a grand total of 3,800m.
Finally, in the 113K, participants will run a leg-crushing 5,470 metres of elevation gain. Like the 23K, runners will get a nice and easy opening few kilometres as they approach Mount Olivine, which they will eventually ascend. They also hit Mount Albert, followed by numerous other peaks. By the time runners make it to the finish line, they will have summited 14 peaks, many of which feature very technical trails.
On a clear day, these peaks offer amazing scenery, including views of the St. Lawrence River. Due to the difficulty of the 113K race, organizers will only accept runners who have run a 100K race (or longer) in the last three years.
Who should race the UTCC?
Anyone and everyone should sign up to race the various UTCC events. Organizers have created a race weekend with so many different runs for a reason: to welcome runners of all levels and abilities to the Chic-Chocs Mountains. Whether you’re a trail rookie who wants to dip a toe in the world of off-road racing or a seasoned vet with a dozen ultras under your belt, the UTCC is the event for you.
This year, the weekend festivities kick off on Aug. 18, and there’s sure to be some exciting racing. To learn more about the UTCC and to register for one of its many events, click here.
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