The Theme of 2019 Ultra-Trail Harricana is Health

La Malbaie, June 21, 2019 – A good state of health can be reached through physical activity and particular lifestyle habits. This is the message the Ultra-Trail Harricana—a significant presence in Quebec’s sports scene—wants to deliver to the 2,000 or so participants registered for this fall’s races.

Under the theme of health and the motto “Finding balance”, the Ultra-Trail Harricana will be raising awareness of the issue through communications on related topics that can help athletes practise their passion and prepare for their challenge in a healthy way.

The goal is to expand our reflection on this universal subject that bears importance for every individual and that is central to developing the potential of Quebec’s trail-running community.

OUR ACTIONS:

• Communicate with and raise the awareness of trail-running athletes, and ultra-trail runners in particular, about the health topics that affect them.
• Completely review the UTHC’s internal procedures through the lens of health and safety, to guarantee the best supervision possible of athletes before, during and after their race.
• Bring in a nutritionist to assess the food choices at aid stations along the race courses.
• Highlight the involvement of the health team during the event.
• Present a panel on the topic of running health during the event weekend.
• Showcase our partner, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

AN IMAGE THAT EXPRESSES OUR PERCEPTION

The image for 2019 on the theme of health was designed by Montreal artist Martin Lachapelle. The grainy blue texture, overlaid with a topographic map, evokes raw, unpredictable nature. Maps help us figure out where we are and which path to take, thus symbolizing coherence and reason. The runner, represented by a circle, leaves a zig-zagging path, over uneven, imperfect ground, heading in the direction of an infinite horizon.

AN IMAGE THAT SETS US APART

Every year, the Ultra-Trail Harricana brings runners’ attention to a particular theme. Following the themes of women in ultra-trail running in 2016, sustainable development in 2017 and youth in 2018, the organization is continuing its mission to educate and raise awareness on issues that go beyond running.

In 2017, for example, the actions we took under the theme of sustainable development were recognized through the “Eco-responsible” award at the Gala Charlevoix Reconnaît. We were pleased that our ambition to become a leading environmentally friendly race organization was acknowledged in this manner.  

ABOUT THE ULTRA-TRAIL HARRICANA

Since its creation eight years ago, the Ultra-Trail Harricana has become a trail-running leader in Quebec. The event offers runners breathtaking views of the Charlevoix backcountry and a stimulating physical challenge. The 125-km race is part of the prestigious Ultra-Trail World Tour, placing the event on the international scene in a way no other Canadian race has accomplished.

-30-

Media

medias@harricana.info

581-996-6400

The Theme of 2019 Ultra-Trail Harricana is Health

La Malbaie, June 21, 2019 – A good state of health can be reached through physical activity and particular lifestyle habits. This is the message the Ultra-Trail Harricana—a significant presence in Quebec’s sports scene—wants to deliver to the 2,000 or so participants registered for this fall’s races.

Under the theme of health and the motto “Finding balance”, the Ultra-Trail Harricana will be raising awareness of the issue through communications on related topics that can help athletes practise their passion and prepare for their challenge in a healthy way.

The goal is to expand our reflection on this universal subject that bears importance for every individual and that is central to developing the potential of Quebec’s trail-running community.

OUR ACTIONS:

• Communicate with and raise the awareness of trail-running athletes, and ultra-trail runners in particular, about the health topics that affect them.
• Completely review the UTHC’s internal procedures through the lens of health and safety, to guarantee the best supervision possible of athletes before, during and after their race.
• Bring in a nutritionist to assess the food choices at aid stations along the race courses.
• Highlight the involvement of the health team during the event.
• Present a panel on the topic of running health during the event weekend.
• Showcase our partner, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

AN IMAGE THAT EXPRESSES OUR PERCEPTION

The image for 2019 on the theme of health was designed by Montreal artist Martin Lachapelle. The grainy blue texture, overlaid with a topographic map, evokes raw, unpredictable nature. Maps help us figure out where we are and which path to take, thus symbolizing coherence and reason. The runner, represented by a circle, leaves a zig-zagging path, over uneven, imperfect ground, heading in the direction of an infinite horizon.

AN IMAGE THAT SETS US APART

Every year, the Ultra-Trail Harricana brings runners’ attention to a particular theme. Following the themes of women in ultra-trail running in 2016, sustainable development in 2017 and youth in 2018, the organization is continuing its mission to educate and raise awareness on issues that go beyond running.

In 2017, for example, the actions we took under the theme of sustainable development were recognized through the “Eco-responsible” award at the Gala Charlevoix Reconnaît. We were pleased that our ambition to become a leading environmentally friendly race organization was acknowledged in this manner.  

ABOUT THE ULTRA-TRAIL HARRICANA

Since its creation eight years ago, the Ultra-Trail Harricana has become a trail-running leader in Quebec. The event offers runners breathtaking views of the Charlevoix backcountry and a stimulating physical challenge. The 125-km race is part of the prestigious Ultra-Trail World Tour, placing the event on the international scene in a way no other Canadian race has accomplished.

-30-

Media

medias@harricana.info

581-996-6400

Sébastien Côté elected as the new ITRA organization representative for Canada

Press release / For immediate release

La Malbaie, April 11, 2019 – The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) held its annual vote for National Representatives from Saturday, March 30 to Saturday, April 5, and elected Sébastien Côté, co-founder of the Ultra-Trail Harricana and now president of the UTHC board of representatives, as the new ITRA organization representative for Canada.

An active member of ITRA since its very beginnings, Sebastien Côté was the Canadian National Representative and member of the Steering Committee from 2015 to 2017. Following a hiatus to concentrate on other projects, he is now returning to invest himself in innovative and structure-building projects that will contribute to the development of trail running in Quebec, Canada and abroad.

“I will use my leadership as a race organizer, running club administrator and ultra-runner to connect the Canadian trail running community and turn the spotlight on ITRA,” Côté explains. “Canada does not have a central trail running association like the United States does with ATRA. In this context, it will be important for me as a National Representative to bridge the gap between ITRA and the other Canadian associations historically involved in organizing national teams, including the Association of Canadian Ultramarathoners. My relationships with these associations and organizers in Canada are active, well-developed and collaborative, and I am extremely motivated to team up with the National Representative of Runners for Canada, David Jeker.”

As a first initiative, Sébastien Côté suggests creating a unique website to showcase the ITRA in Canada and relay information that would be operated by the ITRA National Representative of Runners, organizers and two Canadian members from different provinces across the country. It would list the Canadian ITRA rankings and include links directing visitors to the ITRA global site to demonstrate that ITRA is active in Canada, to promote ITRA’s activities and services in Canada and to build more connection with Canadian members.

Further, Sébastien is already involved in developing the first trail running training program in Quebec with the Fédération Québécoise d’Athlétisme (FQA) in collaboration with the Club de Trail de Montréal, whose board he is a member of.

As the ITRA National Representative for Canada, Sébastien Côté’s mandate will be to:

• Listen to the runners and the organizers from the representative’s country and inform ITRA of the issues raised
• Ensure that the runners and organizers of the representative’s country are informed of the activities and services offered by ITRA
• Represent the association at events or gatherings of athletes in the representative’s country

Once elected, the representative undertakes to be fully committed to supporting and advancing the healthy and sustainable development of trail running in the representative’s country, respecting the trail running values promoted by ITRA.

About ITRA: Please go to itra.run

ABOUT THE ULTRA-TRAIL HARRICANA

Since its creation eight years ago, the Ultra-Trail Harricana has become a trail-running leader in Quebec. The event offers runners breathtaking views of the Charlevoix backcountry and a stimulating physical challenge. The 125-km race is part of the prestigious Ultra-Trail World Tour, placing the event on the international scene in a way no other Quebec race has accomplished. Please go to harricana.info

– 30 –

Information:

Media: 581-996-6400, medias@harricana.info

Sébastien Côté elected as the new ITRA organization representative for Canada

Press release / For immediate release

La Malbaie, April 11, 2019 – The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) held its annual vote for National Representatives from Saturday, March 30 to Saturday, April 5, and elected Sébastien Côté, co-founder of the Ultra-Trail Harricana and now president of the UTHC board of representatives, as the new ITRA organization representative for Canada.

An active member of ITRA since its very beginnings, Sebastien Côté was the Canadian National Representative and member of the Steering Committee from 2015 to 2017. Following a hiatus to concentrate on other projects, he is now returning to invest himself in innovative and structure-building projects that will contribute to the development of trail running in Quebec, Canada and abroad.

“I will use my leadership as a race organizer, running club administrator and ultra-runner to connect the Canadian trail running community and turn the spotlight on ITRA,” Côté explains. “Canada does not have a central trail running association like the United States does with ATRA. In this context, it will be important for me as a National Representative to bridge the gap between ITRA and the other Canadian associations historically involved in organizing national teams, including the Association of Canadian Ultramarathoners. My relationships with these associations and organizers in Canada are active, well-developed and collaborative, and I am extremely motivated to team up with the National Representative of Runners for Canada, David Jeker.”

As a first initiative, Sébastien Côté suggests creating a unique website to showcase the ITRA in Canada and relay information that would be operated by the ITRA National Representative of Runners, organizers and two Canadian members from different provinces across the country. It would list the Canadian ITRA rankings and include links directing visitors to the ITRA global site to demonstrate that ITRA is active in Canada, to promote ITRA’s activities and services in Canada and to build more connection with Canadian members.

Further, Sébastien is already involved in developing the first trail running training program in Quebec with the Fédération Québécoise d’Athlétisme (FQA) in collaboration with the Club de Trail de Montréal, whose board he is a member of.

As the ITRA National Representative for Canada, Sébastien Côté’s mandate will be to:

• Listen to the runners and the organizers from the representative’s country and inform ITRA of the issues raised
• Ensure that the runners and organizers of the representative’s country are informed of the activities and services offered by ITRA
• Represent the association at events or gatherings of athletes in the representative’s country

Once elected, the representative undertakes to be fully committed to supporting and advancing the healthy and sustainable development of trail running in the representative’s country, respecting the trail running values promoted by ITRA.

About ITRA: Please go to itra.run

ABOUT THE ULTRA-TRAIL HARRICANA

Since its creation eight years ago, the Ultra-Trail Harricana has become a trail-running leader in Quebec. The event offers runners breathtaking views of the Charlevoix backcountry and a stimulating physical challenge. The 125-km race is part of the prestigious Ultra-Trail World Tour, placing the event on the international scene in a way no other Quebec race has accomplished. Please go to harricana.info

– 30 –

Information:

Media: 581-996-6400, medias@harricana.info

La Malbaie, April 1st 2019

In an effort to showcase our spectacular Quebec winters and all that Mont Grand-Fonds has to offer Ultra-Trail Harricana participants, Mont Grand-Fonds will use snow cannons to cover two ski slopes with snow for the September 6 to 8 weekend.

One slope will be covered with enough snow for skiing, while the other will be the location of an all-new 2.5-km race on snow. Skis will be available for rent at Mont Grand-Fonds and the chair-lift rides to the summit will be free.

Cold fall nights and a temperature between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius at this altitude in Charlevoix create excellent conditions for snowmaking.

General Director Marline Côté is excited about the new project. “We’ve come up with a really incredible way to build on our collaboration with Mont Grand-Fonds and to give visiting athletes and other guests the chance to experience a real Quebec winter.”

The director adds that registration for the snow run is now open on the event’s website: harricana.run/signup2019

Mont Grand-Fonds is a downhill and cross-country ski centre with a reputation for having some of the best snow in Quebec. Typically only open in winter—from November to April—this will be the centre’s first attempt to pull off such an endeavour. It surely won’t go unnoticed this April Fool’s Day.

– 30 –

Information: Mr April, info@harricana.info

La Malbaie, April 1st 2019

In an effort to showcase our spectacular Quebec winters and all that Mont Grand-Fonds has to offer Ultra-Trail Harricana participants, Mont Grand-Fonds will use snow cannons to cover two ski slopes with snow for the September 6 to 8 weekend.

One slope will be covered with enough snow for skiing, while the other will be the location of an all-new 2.5-km race on snow. Skis will be available for rent at Mont Grand-Fonds and the chair-lift rides to the summit will be free.

Cold fall nights and a temperature between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius at this altitude in Charlevoix create excellent conditions for snowmaking.

General Director Marline Côté is excited about the new project. “We’ve come up with a really incredible way to build on our collaboration with Mont Grand-Fonds and to give visiting athletes and other guests the chance to experience a real Quebec winter.”

The director adds that registration for the snow run is now open on the event’s website: harricana.run/signup2019

Mont Grand-Fonds is a downhill and cross-country ski centre with a reputation for having some of the best snow in Quebec. Typically only open in winter—from November to April—this will be the centre’s first attempt to pull off such an endeavour. It surely won’t go unnoticed this April Fool’s Day.

– 30 –

Information: Mr April, info@harricana.info

There is a new series in Canada’s trail running world, and it could very well change the face of trail running in North America.

Skyrunning may still be a marginal practice in the country, but it is worthy of notice to see that the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) has just opened a national circuit in Canada, to be managed by Adam Campbell, an athlete who knows the world of trail running very well and has give us great performances in international competitions. This is a sign that trail running is both popular and keeping abreast of what is happening in other countries.

What is skyrunning all about and, above all, how to get through the maze of it all? Here are the 4 series managed by the ISF that are presently active for 2014:

Skyrunning World Championship: The unmissable international event held in June 2014 in the French city of Chamonix.

Skyrunner World Series: This circuit has only 15 qualified races world-wide. For the first time in the ISF’s history, races for this series will be presented in the United-States, but not Canada. 

Skyrunner National Series: This is a national circuit specific to each country. Canada now has its own national circuit.

Vertical World Circuit: An indoor race in urban towers. 

Now that you know about the series, there are also types of courses. Generally speaking, these are trail running but with very specific parameters. 

DEFINITIONS

SkyRace® et SkyMarathon®

Courses with distances varying between 22k and 50k showcasing 1300m of ascension (D+).

Ultra SkyMarathon®

A course of at least 50k in length.

Vertical Kilometer®

Ascension of 1000m in vertical gain not exceeding 5k in length. Your VO2Max will be going through the roof! 

The Canadian National Circuit will be in its first year and the 2014 calendar is not yet finished. Here it is, and you will notice that British-Columbia and Quebec are well represented. 

QUEBEC- Vertical Kilometer du Mont Albert – June 27, 2014

QUEBEC- Ultra SkyMarathon du Mont Albert – June 28, 2014

QUEBEC- SkyRace du Mont Albert – June 28, 2014

QUEBEC- SkyMarathon du Mont Jacques-Cartier – June 29, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Trailstoke 60km-July 12, 2014

QUEBEC- Quebec Mega Trail -July 12, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Vertical Kilometer in North Vancouver – July 27th ***Race Name & location TBA

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Squamish 50 -Aug 16, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Squamish 23km -Aug 17, 2014

There is a new series in Canada’s trail running world, and it could very well change the face of trail running in North America.

Skyrunning may still be a marginal practice in the country, but it is worthy of notice to see that the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) has just opened a national circuit in Canada, to be managed by Adam Campbell, an athlete who knows the world of trail running very well and has give us great performances in international competitions. This is a sign that trail running is both popular and keeping abreast of what is happening in other countries.

What is skyrunning all about and, above all, how to get through the maze of it all? Here are the 4 series managed by the ISF that are presently active for 2014:

Skyrunning World Championship: The unmissable international event held in June 2014 in the French city of Chamonix.

Skyrunner World Series: This circuit has only 15 qualified races world-wide. For the first time in the ISF’s history, races for this series will be presented in the United-States, but not Canada. 

Skyrunner National Series: This is a national circuit specific to each country. Canada now has its own national circuit.

Vertical World Circuit: An indoor race in urban towers. 

Now that you know about the series, there are also types of courses. Generally speaking, these are trail running but with very specific parameters. 

DEFINITIONS

SkyRace® et SkyMarathon®

Courses with distances varying between 22k and 50k showcasing 1300m of ascension (D+).

Ultra SkyMarathon®

A course of at least 50k in length.

Vertical Kilometer®

Ascension of 1000m in vertical gain not exceeding 5k in length. Your VO2Max will be going through the roof! 

The Canadian National Circuit will be in its first year and the 2014 calendar is not yet finished. Here it is, and you will notice that British-Columbia and Quebec are well represented. 

QUEBEC- Vertical Kilometer du Mont Albert – June 27, 2014

QUEBEC- Ultra SkyMarathon du Mont Albert – June 28, 2014

QUEBEC- SkyRace du Mont Albert – June 28, 2014

QUEBEC- SkyMarathon du Mont Jacques-Cartier – June 29, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Trailstoke 60km-July 12, 2014

QUEBEC- Quebec Mega Trail -July 12, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Vertical Kilometer in North Vancouver – July 27th ***Race Name & location TBA

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Squamish 50 -Aug 16, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA- Squamish 23km -Aug 17, 2014