After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the Beneva de Québec marathon was brought back to life on Sunday with a modified route and a brand new start and finish location near the Videotron Center. What hasn’t changed is the winner, David Mutai.
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The Ontario-based Kenyan also won the last edition of the event in 2019 before the pandemic. This time he even allowed himself to improve his time by just over a minute.
He completed the 42.2 km in 2 h 24 min 21 s, a steady pace of 3.26 min per km.
“The course was more moderate,” responded the champion of the surveyed course.
“The ascent is more at the beginning than at the end as before. That’s why I set a faster time,” added the man who finished third in last week’s Montreal marathon.
Photo agency QMI, Pascal Huot
Less than three minutes later, Alexis Lavoie-Gilbert, a native of Quebec and now a resident of Lévis, crossed the finish line after a 2h 27min 09s effort.
It was only his third marathon in life, after a seventh place finish in Philadelphia in 2019 and an eighth place finish in the same city last year.
“The goal was victory,” said the silver medalist, who was very satisfied.
“There are always African runners, but you never know if they will come and how many there will be. David Mutai had just made Montreal and I thought it was going to be difficult for him. We let him go a bit at the start because we thought we would catch him, but we didn’t,” he added.
The twins’ new father was instead engaged in a heated battle with Quebec’s Anthony Larouche, who finished third (2:30:57).
Nadia Bolduc wins
Nadia Bolduc won the women’s race. The lady from Chicoutimi took part in her first marathon since the pandemic. That’s what you call a comeback with a lot of fanfare.
Photo agency QMI, Pascal Huot
“It went really well. What is certain is that from 35 km it will be a mental challenge for everyone. My legs weren’t too heavy and the temperature was perfect,” said this regular on the podium, who has already won the Montreal marathon in 2:51.
“I’m far from my prime, but I’m very happy. The course was very nice. That goes away quickly because the facility is always different,” she smiled.
The podium was completed by Joanie Charland (2 h 59 min 20 s) and Catherine Papillon (3 h 03 m 03 s).
Satisfactory record
A total of 7,700 runners took part in the various events offered.
“You have to be happy with that,” said Marianne Pelchat, executive producer at Gestev.
“This confirms that our new start and finish location is a good choice. It’s a natural place to do that. The fact that the climb arrives on the 12th instead of the 24th also allows runners to be fresher,” she pointed out.
When the mayor plays speed hare
Runners aiming to complete the half marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes had no one but the mayor to follow to guide them to their goal. An experience that delighted Bruno Marchand.
Photo agency QMI, Pascal Huot
In running, pace rabbits are traditionally experienced runners who serve as guides to allow runners to complete a course in a given time.
As expected, Mr. Marchand completed the half marathon (21.1 km) in 1 h 45 min 2 s.
“It’s not the same race at all. Usually you go into your head, listen to your feelings, you see how things are going. You’re in a rhythm there, and whether you feel good or not, you have to keep it. You are more to do the math in your head.
“There are people who are betting on it and who have been training all summer. We must not misrepresent them or let them down. It was a fun experience,” he said after crossing the finish line.
Great achievement
For him there is no doubt that the new route proposed in the various events is a success.
“The course is great. The city is beautiful, we go everywhere. We drive through Limoilou, in Old Quebec, on Champlain. We pass the Upper Town, we pass the Plains, it’s a gorgeous course. It’s beautiful Quebec! he inspires.
Since becoming mayor in November, Bruno Marchand has insisted that even when time is short, he must find a way
work out.
“Those who do not force training pay at all levels. You pay for your sleep, you pay for your form, you pay for your sanity. It changes everything. Even if I don’t have much time, you have to do a little something just to get some fresh air and oxygen,” says the man, who, in addition to cycling, likes to run three to five times a week.
“There are people who say: ‘I won’t do that, 21 km’. We do not care ! Walk 1km, run 2km, do what you love and get moving. Even if we don’t have time, it improves our state of mind. I often say to people: If you don’t have time for it, then you have to make the time. This is where you need it the most. »