Community race grows with Olympian’s support

Tashi Farmilo

One of the city’s newest public sporting events, Courons Gatineau, returns on September 27 for its second edition, offering a broader range of races and a growing reputation as a celebration of inclusion, athleticism, and regional identity along the banks of the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers.

Organised by Gatineau Loppet, the non-profit behind the long-running cross-country ski festival of the same name, Courons Gatineau launched in 2024 with the goal of creating an accessible, family-friendly running event grounded in local geography and community values. This year, organisers expect to exceed 1,000 participants, up from 816 in the inaugural edition, as they expand the race offerings to include two new distances: a 1 km initiation course for newcomers and a 15 km route designed for more experienced runners. The 5, 10, and 15 km races have received gold-level certification from Athlétisme Québec, signalling high standards of safety, quality, and technical rigour.

Just hours before the start of the event, Gatineau native and Olympian Audrey Leduc will arrive home following her appearance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she represented Canada in sprint events. Leduc, who also competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, will take part in the 2 km family run, sign autographs, distribute medals and speak at a public press conference scheduled for 1 pm on race day. It will be her first media appearance in Canada since Tokyo.

“She embodies excellence and inspires young people in our region,” said Philippe Lebel, president of Gatineau Loppet. “Her presence brings extraordinary energy to this event and to Gatineau as a whole.”

Beyond the competition, Courons Gatineau places strong emphasis on community spirit and environmental awareness. The course winds along the two rivers that frame the city and will be closed to vehicle and bicycle traffic between Rue du Prince-Albert and Rue Saint-Antoine for the duration of the races. Kiosks from local cultural and conservation organisations, including Garde-rivière des Outaouais and the Musée de l’Auberge Symmes, will line the route, highlighting the importance of water stewardship. A fundraising campaign for Garde-rivière is once again integrated into the registration process, continuing the philanthropic element introduced last year.

The event also returns with a stronger commitment to inclusion, led this year by Paralympian Jacques Bouchard, who serves as spokesperson for the adapted races. These races enable participants living with disabilities to compete with the support of trained volunteers and co-running wheelchairs. The adapted division has received backing from Caisse Desjardins, which is covering the registration costs for ten runners.