Experience the Ultimatexc Adventure Run—Val Morin, Quebec, Canada
This is an adventure for the entire family—believe it. Mom and dad can run the marathon, half marathon, or 10K, and the kids are covered with a 2K and day care. This is a perfect running vacation (off road) in an absolutely beautiful location.

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By Skip Cleaver
Posted Monday, 24 December, 2007

So far, and yet so near! This is a terrific setting for a trail marathon, half marathon, and 10K. Val Morin is a resort town nestled in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. The races will run on 21 June. The trails and rugged terrain will seem like the wilderness adventure that it is; it is tough and rugged. But it is conveniently located only about 45 minutes from the Montreal International Airport (Aeroport International Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau, YUL), and 45 minutes from downtown Montreal, one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in North America. If you are tired of pounding the pavement in races, this adventure is for you. But be prepared—this is off road, through the woods, unpaved, and that is the magic of it. It is a great introduction to trail racing.

And don’t worry about the kids; they have it all arranged. Kids 10 and under can run the 2K Fun Run, and be rewarded with a ribbon. They will have games and entertainment--day care is available while parents race in the woods, a great combination. Not only is this region a great place to run, but kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, hiking, swimming in Lac Raymond, unique crafts and other shops, the largest yoga center in the world, and Santa’s Summer Village are all within a short distance.

The mountains and the thick boreal forest seem to go on forever. You would never know you are close to a major metro area when you are out on these trails. And don’t expect groomed trails. You will get plenty mud and dirt on the run, no matter which distance you choose. This is most definitely a trail or cross-country race (and not the collegiate type); you will be climbing steep cliffs, crawling over immense boulders, crossing streams, and bushwhacking between trails. You can commune with nature. And you might just get a few mouthfuls of it too.

And if you think you will get a qualifying time on this adventure, forget it. The cut off for the halfway point of the marathon is four hours; and for the half marathon, three hours. Yes, that means half way—not the complete course. And don’t expect kilometer or mile markers. There are none. In fact, even the race director does not know how long these races are—they are approximate. But that is also part of the enjoyment, the adventure, and the distances are the same for everyone.

Saturday night following the race there will be live music and an impressive fireworks display. This is Saint Jean Batiste Day (Quebec Provincial Holiday similar to the US Fourth of July). There will be a lot to do for the entire family. But there will also be a great party atmosphere for singles. This run is designed to recall and admire the “coureur des bois” or fur traders of the woods. Those guys knew how to go cross country and navigate obstacles—and they knew how to party just as hard when they got back.

The Schedule
There will be an opportunity to pick up numbers and T-shirts on Friday, June 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and race day morning from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The marathon start will be at 8:00 a.m., with the half marathon setting off at 9:00. The 10K will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by the kids’ 2K at 11:00.

There will be a mandatory race meeting for each group one half hour before the scheduled start of each event.

Aid stations will be located every three to four miles, with energy foods, water, energy drinks, and first aid if needed. And there will be experienced sweepers behind all runners, and intrepid volunteers on the course. There are several locations where spectators will have a chance to see the participants during the races.

The awards ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m.

And speaking of schedules, there are four price breaks, so the earlier you register the better the price. Please check the Race Website for fees and registration instructions. And please note this event takes on-line registration only, with a cutoff of June 15 (except for the kids’ 2K, which will be open up to race day morning.
http://www.ultimatexc.com/quebec-en.html

And please check the Website for accommodations as well. This is a very popular destination, so be sure you get your reservations in.

Organization
This is the same group that brought you the highly regarded Jay Marathon Challenge in Jay, Vermont in the past (noted above as a Mont Blanc qualifier), an epic marathon and half marathon. The Jay event will easily sell out next June, so they are branching out to create a series. In addition to Jay and Val Morin, there will be a new adventure in Moab, Utah--50K, ½ marathon, and 10K this fall on November 15. This will be a totally different kind of challenge on vastly different terrain.

And in addition to the expanded running adventure series, they manage a terrific series of mountain biking competitions, and their unique three-day adventure (run, bike, and kayak).

These are very innovative, well managed events. Again, if you like easy, smooth, flat, paved or manicured race courses this adventure series is not for you. If you enjoy the difficulty and advantages of trail running and “playing in the woods” as the race director stated, then go for it—this is your kind of race, your type of challenge.

Don’t miss the expo. Keep in touch via the Forum. Check out the on-line store, and if you have questions please get in touch via the contact info on the Website.

The Region
Yes, Val Morin is easy to get to from the international airport, and from the cities of Montreal and Ottawa. But it is a resort region on the fringe of the wilds of the northern woods. The trees, yellow birch (Provincial Tree), maple, beech, and various conifers seem to stretch on for miles and miles. The glacial lakes and Laurentian Mountains create a rugged area scoured by glaciers in the last Ice Age. This is an ancient land, and I do mean ancient. It is the fringe of the Canadian Shield, and is home to some of the oldest volcanoes on earth.

Once towering peaks that rivaled the Himalayas were ground down over millennia to the hills of today. The Adirondacks are actually an extension of these mountains. Rocks and rock-faced cliffs found here—which add to the adventure and the unique beauty—are extremely old; some date as far back as one billion years, some 540 million. This part of North America, unlike other regions on this continent, has been relatively undisturbed for that long.

Val Morin is a resort area, as is the region in general. There are many, many things to see and do, and the region is known for its outstanding artists, writers, artisans, and craftsmen. Creativity has a home here.

And the organizers of the Ultimatexc Quebec adventure races have been very creative in preparing these outstanding events for you. The venue is amazing, the natural beauty inspiring, and the organization top shelf. All they need is you. All you need is this challenge. We’ll see you there!

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