Legend’s Path
Legend’s Path is the name used by the Gatineau Loppet to designate its hall of fame. The Legend’s Path honours individuals or organizations which have marked the Gatineau Loppet and who have helped develop or spread the word about the event or cross-country skiing in general. An individual or organization inducted in the Legend’s Path is recognized for its contribution as a participant, volunteer, sponsor, donor, ambassador or in any other way deemed acceptable by the Recognition and Loyalty Committee.
2020
Mr. Alex Harvey is Canada’s greatest cross-country skier of all time. He won his first major awards at the World Junior Championships in 2007 and 2008. Mr. Harvey spent most of his life travelling around the world, winning more than 30 World Cup podiums, including nine victories. He was third overall at the World Cup in 2014 and 2018 and third on the 2018 Tour de ski. Mr. Harvey has competed in three Olympic Games with a record in Pyeongchang, Korea, with a 4th place finish in the 50 km. His two best races were the team sprint with Devon Kershaw in Oslo at the 2011 World Championships and as champion at 28-years-old of the 50 km freestyle in Lahti, Finland in 2017. Mr. Harvey has always been a role model for all young athletes. He has been involved in many initiatives by promoting school perseverance and healthy lifestyle habits.
Ms. Louise Poirier was a member of the Gatineau Loppet Board of Directors for over 30 years, including six years as President. As a race finish announcer, she is (literally) the “Voice” of the Gatineau Loppet! Ms. Poirier’s leadership, dedication and passion have contributed to the continued success of the Gatineau Loppet which remains, year after year, one of the most popular cross-country skiing events in Canada. She has been awarded the title of Worldloppet Master after completing her 10th long distance event in Estonia in 2017. In addition to Ms. Poirier’s involvement in the Gatineau Loppet, she plays a key role in promoting the Outaouais region and continues to be very involved in the community. Her work has been recognized on several occasions, including the 2014 Dollard-Morin Sports and Recreation Volunteer Support Award from the Government of Quebec.
Click here to discover the legends of past years.
Veterans Club
The Veterans Club recognizes participants who have taken part in at least 35 middle or long distance Gatineau Loppet races. If there are any among us who can tell the story of the Gatineau Loppet, it is them! By conferring upon them the title of “veteran”, the Gatineau Loppet thanks them for their tenacity and loyalty to the event.
2021
- Gary Kirchner (Dorval QC) – 35 races
- Omer Majeed (Ottawa ON) – 36 races
2023
Lise Meloche and Dave McMahon first met on the National Biathlon Team and formed a lasting personal and professional partnership centred around sport. Dave and Lise are pioneers for cross-country skiing in the region, donating the past 30 years to growing the sport by notably having built and maintained training facilities, mentored thousands of people to ski and founding/coaching a number of ski clubs, including the largest adult ski club in the country, to name only a few. Dave and Lise are dedicated to creating significant opportunities for healthy outdoor lifestyle, promoting natural fitness, physical literacy and inspiring long-term athlete development through direct grass-roots community involvement and global campaigns for gender and age equality in sport, multilingual, multiculturalism, accessibility, science education, leadership, and coaching. Lise and Dave raced both World Cup Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing for Canada. Lise raced two Olympic games and 200 World Cups; winning 7 medals, including four (4) Golds. She was ranked 3rd overall in the World. Dave competed for Canada in six sports. He was Canadian National Biathlon, Snowshoeing and Winter Triathlon Champion, ranked 3rd in the World for summer biathlon, and represented Canada at the World Snowshoe Championships and World Loppet circuit. Lise and Dave are both past winners and ambassadors of the Gatineau Loppet, with a combined total of over 40 participations, and are the 2022 World Masters Cross Country Skiing Champions.
CCN + Gatineau Park
The National Capital Commission cares for and protects vital public places that are unique to our nation’s symbolic, natural and cultural heritage, such as Gatineau Park. Gatineau Park the largest green space in the region, covering an area of more than 361 square kilometers, and is a place of rich and unique biodiversity. It is the second-most visited park in Canada, and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in recreational activities, such as cross-country skiing, all while respecting the environment. Gatineau Park’s vast territory is divided into several sectors, each of which feature various points of interest and historical places. Gatineau Park notably has one of the largest and best maintained networks of cross-country ski trails in North America. It has over 200 kilometers of classic cross-country, skate and back-country ski trails, making it the ideal host for the Gatineau Loppet since the very beginning. The National Capital Commission was responsible for the organization of the event until the creation of the NPO and has remained a valuable partner of the Gatineau Loppet ever since.