Quebec Mega Trail Announces Wild Elite Field for 2026

Why It Matters

By anchoring a GTWS stop and serving as a national championship qualifier, Quebec Mega Trail draws top international talent, boosting the sport’s visibility in North America and driving tourism and sponsorship revenue for the region.

Key Takeaways

• QMT30K debuts as GTWS North American stop, 30 km, 1,450 m climb.
• Elite roster includes 2025 GTWS podium finishers and top Kenyan women.
• QMT135K features ultrarunning record‑holder Amanda Nelson and UTMB‑bound Julie Lesage.
• QMT50K and QMT80K double as Canadian Trail Championships qualifiers.

Pulse Analysis

The Quebec Mega Trail returns July 2‑5 to the rugged Charlevoix mountains, a landscape that has become a magnet for world‑class trail runners. This year’s edition introduces the QMT30K, the only North American stop on the Golden Trail World Series, offering a 30‑kilometre course with 1,450 metres of elevation gain. By aligning the 30K with the GTWS and the longer distances with the World Trail Majors, the race cements its status as a crossroads of global and continental competition, attracting athletes chasing valuable series points.

The elite roster reads like a who’s‑who of modern trail running. Men’s contenders include the 2025 Sierre‑Zinal podium—Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, Patrick Kipngeno and Michael Selelo Saoli—while women’s fields feature Kenyan star Caroline Kimutai alongside European talent Madalina Florea. Ultrarunning powerhouse Amanda Nelson, holder of the Canadian 24‑hour record, will contest the 135 km ultra, and Quebec’s own Anne Champagne returns after a record‑breaking 100‑mile victory. Because the QMT50K, 80K and 135K also serve as Canadian Trail Running Championships qualifiers, performances will shape national team selections for the World Trail Championships.

Beyond the competition, the event delivers a sizable economic boost to the Charlevoix region, with thousands of participants, support crews and spectators filling hotels, restaurants and local businesses. The heightened media exposure reinforces Canada’s reputation as a premier destination for high‑altitude, technical trail racing, encouraging sponsors to invest in the sport’s infrastructure. As the GTWS continues to expand its footprint, Quebec Mega Trail’s deep elite field and championship status position it as a template for future North American events seeking to blend world‑class racing with regional development.