Course des Pompiers Marathon

I originally chose this race cause I've never been to Montreal, the race cost me $68, and the flight was very inexpensive out of NYC. I'm a French learner, and I wanted the whole French experience. The medal, the communication emails, the website - all in French! Very cool.

I did not need to rent a car. The subway ends at the race finish and where buses take you to the start. The race is put on by the fire department. They speak some limited but not great English when handing out your race number and shirts at the expo. I realized at this time, this is a total locals race. Everyone there were families from the metro area. Nobody was speaking English. Just French. They were surprised I came all the way out from New York. The first 13 miles is out in the farm fields. Pancake flat. The second 13 miles is where residential begins. Mile 16 was a significant hill that seemed to go .75 miles to 1 mile. Not a Heartbreak Hill, but it wore me out.

If you are a four hour marathoner, they start the half marathon when you would be at your two hour mark. The 10K is the most popular race and you may be sharing the road all the sudden with thousands of people as far as the eye can see. (Check the race schedule to see where you will fall in with their start of the 10K). This is the race people have baby strollers and I almost got hit by one. (Not sure why he stopped and turned into me) Luckily, I didn't get hit.

The last 5k water table ran out of filled water cups. They were pouring water as fast as they could. It was 68 degrees and 57% humidity at that time. Almost no shade on the course. Luckily a little kid was holding a water cup at the end, and I was able to get water.

Maybe around mile 21 or 22, there is an overpass that goes over commuter rail. Although short, it was steep. 50% of the 10Kers were walking up this. It does cause you to significantly slow down your pace.

Around mile 24.5 you go up a significant hill. You then make a left turn down a street where you end up running through a fire station garage and coming out the other side. Way cool and not expecting this experience. A drumline greets you near the finish line. Firefighters were spraying people down with water from the hydrants at different areas of the race. There was a pleasant breeze that helped. It was slightly too warm for a marathon, but I wasn't drenched in sweat either. Not ideal weather but it was June 2nd.

At the end of the race, lots of activities going on for families. You get a croissant instead of a bagel which was fun. I would do this race again, but as a half marathon. The hills are not going to be helpful for a premium BQ time because they come late in the race.

Good email communications and plenty of buses to take you to the start. Plenty of outhouses. Sufficient water tables. Short zones but able to get water.

Stayed at the Marriott at the finish line. Beautiful hotel, good customer service, and across the street from the subway and finish line!