The biggest running event in Quebec
MONTRÉAL, Sept. 26, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This Sunday, September 28, a record turnout of some 35,000 participants will take part in one of the five Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon races. "Competing in this event is a good way to discover the city. I wish good luck to all the runners who will be at the starting line next Sunday and congratulate all of them for their determination and for rising to the challenge. I invite families and friends to come and cheer on the competitors and to be part of their success," said Dimitrios (Jim) Beis, member of the Montréal Executive Committee, responsible for sports, recreation, communities of diverse origins and procurement.
Runners will be able to enjoy more than 20 live concerts by local artists taking place along the various race routes. "The Marathon has been part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series for the last three years. Each year, the running event gets better, thanks to the help of loyal partners including OASIS and Fondation Tel-jeunes, which have been with us since the beginning," explained Dominique Arsenault, Marathon spokesperson. "We are very proud to have our OASIS brand associated with the Montreal Marathon, a relationship that goes back 12 years now," said Jean Gattuso, President and Chief Operating Officer, Lassonde Industries Inc. "There's nothing like a family-oriented sporting event to promote good health and a healthy lifestyle, and that's a central concern for us―as much the health of our employees and their families as that of consumers and the general public," he added.
In addition to Messrs. Beis and Gattuso, the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Mr. Yves Bolduc, will be present to kick off the race for some 20,000 runners starting from Jacques Cartier Bridge on the 42.2-km Marathon, and 16,000 more beginning the 21-km Half-Marathon, the event's most popular race. "We're proud to see how the Marathon attracts a variety of runners from here and afar: experienced Marathon runners, new participants as well as sports-oriented families! With races ranging from the 1 km to the Marathon, the event is far more than just a popular race; it's a physical fitness tool accessible to runners of all levels," said Ms. Arsenault, adding that Quebecer David Savard-Gagnon, who won the 2013 Marathon in two and a half hours, will be among this year's participants in order to defend his title.
The finish line for all the races is at La Fontaine Park where participants, and their friends and families will be treated to festivities and a free rock concert by Sylvain Cossette.
This year's event boasts several new features including more free concerts, a partnership with Brasseurs RJ, a pioneer in Quebec's micro-brewing industry, and a new name for the 1-km race. "We are delighted to take part for the twelfth year in this sports event, which focuses on healthy living. With the Tel-jeunes intervention service, we too have a keen interest in children's well-being. This year, we will be marking our partnership with the Marathon by inaugurating the P'tit Marathon 1 km Tel-jeunes. We are really looking forward to being there on September 28," said Fondation Tel-jeunes spokespersons, Marina Orsini and Maxime Tremblay. In 2013, close to 2,500 runners aged 3 to 11 took part in the popular and competitive divisions of the 1-km race, which, this year, Mr. Tremblay will kick off.
First-time collaboration with Les Journées de la culture
This year, Les Journées de la culture and Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon activities will exceptionally be held on the same weekend. As such, some of the Les Journées de la culture events will be included in the Marathon's festivities. Facilitators will be cheering on the runners at various Marathon locations and will hold a dance fitness and stretching session for runners and spectators at La Fontaine Park. A booth will also be set up at the end of the route.
Registration
Registration for the Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon P'tit Marathon 1 km Tel-jeunes, the race for 3- to 11-year-olds, is still open until September 27 at the Marathon EXPO.
The next edition of the Marathon will take place September 20, 2015―save the date! Registration for this 25th edition starts today at the EXPO. The EXPO will run from September 26 to 27 at Place Bonaventure in Montreal.
For further information on the EXPO, visit: http://ca.competitor.com/en/montreal/expo.
Getting to the event
Directions for getting to the different race start locations are available at: http://ca.competitor.com/montreal/informations. Participants are encouraged to use public transit the day of the event. A map of road closures and road access is available here.
About the Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon
This year marks the 24th edition of the Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon. Organized by Festival de la Santé, in conjunction with Competitor Canada, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series is the world's largest running series, with over 500,000 runners participating in events worldwide every year. The series started in 1998 with the simple idea of making running fun, and has transformed the running landscape by livening up the route with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, creating a block-party atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Today, the series of marathons and half-marathons has spread to more than 28 destination cities, drawing visitors from around the world. Over the 17-year history of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, charity partners have raised more than $300 million through the events for a variety of worthy causes.
SOURCE: Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon
Rock 'n' Roll Oasis Montreal Marathon, Vanessa Lyssan, Tel.: 514 266-5434, [email protected]
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