Announcement from American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Switchback member Québec Mega Trail (QMT).
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré – Québec Mega Trail (QMT) is proud to announce its association with the World Trail Majors, a brand-new international trail running group. The circuit, which includes nine of the most iconic trail running events in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America, aims to preserve the fundamental values of the sport and to provide an alternative to global racing with local knowledge and community at its heart.
Statements
“We have been collaborating with races around the world for several years. What has always attracted us on these trips is the unique way each organization does things and their strong commitment to local communities. Having the opportunity to join an international circuit that recognizes these values and that consolidates our sport as something unique is something that honors us. We are confident that runners around the world will join this initiative.” – Jean Fortier, general director and founder of Québec Mega Trail.
“Québec Mega Trail is a mountain running event that stands out for its authenticity. With the desire to have North American representation within the World Trail Majors association, Québec Mega Trail revealed itself as a partner of choice for this new adventure.” – Fernando González, race director and founder of Transgrancanaria participating race of the World Trail Majors.
Participating races of the World Trail Majors
World Trail Majors is an open association; the first edition will be held in 2024 and will include the following events:
- Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon (Hong Kong) – 18th – 21st January 2024, 102 km, +5314 m
- Black Canyon Ultras (Phoenix, United States) – 10th – 11th February 2024, 100 km, +1250 m
- The North Face Transgrancanaria (Canary Islands, Spain) – 21st – 25th February 2024, 126 km, +6804 m
- Mt. Fuji 100 (Fujiyoshida, Japan) – 26th – 27th April 2024, 165 km, +7574 m
- MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail (Madeira, Portugal) – 27th – 28th April 2024, 115 km, +7100 m
- Swiss Canyon Trail (Val de Travers, Switzerland) – 7th – 9th June 2024, 111 km, +5350 m
- South Downs Way (Winchester, United Kingdom) – 8th – 9th June 2024, 161 km, +3800 m
- Québec Mega Trail (Quebec, Canada) – 12th edition – 5th – 7th July 2024, 160 km, +6500 m
- RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town (Cape Town, South Africa) – 22nd – 24th November 2024, 166 km, +7516 m
World Trail Majors’s aims
The World Trail Majors is the result of discussions between race directors wishing to help orient the development of trail running. The association aims to preserve the original spirit of trail and ultra-running, using their knowledge and experience acquired over decades. With diversity, respect, and identity as its cardinal values, the World Trail Majors focuses on the difference and the uniqueness of each of the races on its open circuit and wants to enrich the sport while respecting the community and the environment of each of them.
Incredible opportunities for athletes
The World Trail Majors association also wishes to implement a trail running scoring system, prizes and travel passes in order to provide international athletes with travel and development opportunities throughout its circuit. More details will be revealed in the coming months.
A promising 12th edition for QMT
The next edition of Québec Mega Trail, which will take place from July 5 to 7, 2024, will welcome 3,300 runners taking part in ten events, between one and 160 kilometers. Among these, the 15 km, 25 km, and 50 km events are already sold out. The 100 MILES and 110 km events will once again this year be qualifying races for the legendary Western States 100.
About Québec Mega Trail
QMT is a legendary ultra-trail race, renowned as one of the most beautiful but also as one of the hardest in Canada. Crossing the Charlevoix and the Côte-de-Beaupré regions, it takes runners all the way to Mont-Sainte-Anne, and more than 3,000 racers meet there every year. An incubator for high-level athletes, the organization also offers challenges for beginners. Founded in 2012, the Québec Mega Trail actively promotes trail running while being a reference in terms of safety, sustainable development, and constant innovations.
