PRESS RELEASE
for immediate release
Green light for Courons Gatineau, River to River!
A new running event from Gatineau Loppet
Gatineau, Thursday, June 20, 2024 – The Gatineau Loppet organization, the well-known organizer of Canada’s largest cross-country skiing event, announced today at a press conference that the first edition of Courons Gatineau will kick off on September 28. The event will be open to all, be they novices, accomplished runners, or walkers.
Philippe Lebel, President of the Gatineau Loppet, said that the financial support announced by the City of Gatineau, Tourisme Outaouais and La Foulée sportive, coupled with the agreement obtained from the NCC for the use of a 1.5 km stretch of the Lac-Leamy Parkway, have enabled the organization to confirm that the event which has been in the works for a year and a half will indeed take place as planned. “We’re thrilled to be embarking on this new adventure in the world of road running, and to be working with the community to grow Courons Gatineau, over the years, into one of Gatineau and Quebec’s flagship events,” added the president.
Quote from City of Gatineau
“I applaud the work of the Gatineau Loppet organization in creating this first edition of Courons Gatineau. The organization is providing another exceptional showcase demonstrating Gatineau’s influence on the national and international scene. I’m convinced that the event will become a not-to-be-missed rendez-vous, reinforcing our position as a destination of choice for major sporting events.” – Louis Sabourin, President of the Gatineau, ville en santé Commission and Limbour District Councillor
Quote from Tourisme Outaouais
“Tourisme Outaouais is delighted to support the Gatineau Loppet in rolling out this new event. We invite runners and walkers, as well as their friends and family, to come and discover the Outaouais, its magnificent waterways and the lively gourmet scene on Rue Jacques-Cartier. Courons Gatineau is sure to become a not-to-be-missed annual event for sports enthusiasts from near and far,” says Martine Deschênes, Acting General Manager of Tourisme Outaouais.
A tribute to our majestic rivers and support for Ottawa Riverkeeper
Organizers are inviting runners and walkers to one of Gatineau’s most beautiful sites and vantage points, on the emblematic Rue Jacques-Cartier, where the start/finish area will be set up, among shopkeepers and at the confluence of the majestic Ottawa and Gatineau rivers.
The Gatineau Loppet team will also take the opportunity to raise public awareness of the need to protect our rivers. It will invite participants and the general public to make a donation to Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization dedicated to protecting the Ottawa River watershed and acting as a leader in protecting and promoting its ecological health and future.
“We are thrilled that the Gatineau Loppet has decided to help protect the river as part of their new event! It’s inspiring to see organizations like the Gatineau Loppet choose to support an environmental cause as part of their mission.” said Laura Reinsborough, Riverkeeper & CEO of Ottawa Riverkeeper. “We’re looking forward to meeting with crowds of people as part of the event, and we invite you to come and talk to us about our magnificent river.”
2, 5 and 10 km events this year, with big ambitions for future editions
For this first edition, participants will be able to choose the option best suited to their running or walking goals, including 2, 5 and 10 km events. Each course will offer magnificent views of two of the region’s most majestic waterways: the Ottawa River and the Gatineau River. Organizers are already hinting at the possibility of adding a half-marathon in the near future, and have not ruled out the idea of a full marathon in a few years’ time.
The 2 and 5 km courses will run along the Ottawa River, on Rue Jacques-Cartier. The same goes for the 10 km. The 10 K will also cross the Lady-Aberdeen Bridge before entering the enchanting scenery of the Lac-Leamy Promenade, along the Gatineau River, at the very start of the Fall Rhapsody period.
Gold level sanctioned by Athlétisme Québec
“Gatineau Loppet is proud to announce that Athlétisme Québec has awarded Gold status to the Courons Gatineau 5Km and 10Km courses, starting with the very first edition,” says Claude Laramée, race director for Courons Gatineau. “To obtain this, the race must meet some 50 safety and quality criteria, including the provision of medical services, emergency measures, signage, timing and sporting ethics,” adds Mr. Laramée.
The courses
The festivities continue on Jacques-Cartier Street after the race
In addition to the beauty of the riverside site, the team behind Courons Gatineau was attracted by the idea of establishing the heart of the event on Rue Jacques-Cartier, given the presence of restaurants, cafés, terraces and a microbrewery.
“We believe that merchants will be able to enhance the experience for participants. We want them to make the event their own, to take pride in it, and to add their own spirit to it,” says Jérôme Poulin, newly appointed General Manager of the Gatineau Loppet and its events, including Courons Gatineau.
The organizers hope that participants and their families will want to extend their enjoyment of race day by discovering the commercial offerings of Rue Jacques-Cartier.
We invite you to register early to secure one of the limited places available
Early registration is encouraged to secure one of the limited number of places available.
For this first edition, the organizers have decided to limit the number of places available to 300 for the 2 Km event, 450 for the 5 Km and 450 for the 10 Km. This means that 1,200 participants will be able to make history by taking part in the inaugural edition.
To register, visit https://couronsgatineau.ca/en/home
Transportation included
Transportation with the STO will be included with registration. Participants simply need to present their email confirmation or race number to travel free of charge on the STO’s entire network on September 27 and 28.
Thanks to the founders of Courons Gatineau
The Gatineau Loppet Board of Directors would like to thank the members of the Courons Gatineau organizing committee, as well as its partners: Ville de Gatineau, Tourisme Outaouais, la Foulée sportive, À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale, Trinergie, the National Capital Commission, Suzanne Tremblay, member of the National Assembly for Hull and the STO. These volunteers and partners are considered the founders of Courons Gatineau. Thanks to them, the region will benefit from a new sporting event that will rank among the major events of the coming years. Thank you for believing in this great project!
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For further information, please contact
René Morin
Volunteer in charge of communications – Courons Gatineau Organizing Committee
coach@MonGroupeDeCourse.com
819 230-5624