2026 Quebec City Marathon - Oct 4

2026 Quebec City Marathon - Oct 4 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Quebec City Marathon - Oct 4
CityQuebec City
Date2026-10-04 at 08:00
Field Size~2,168 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto
Official SiteJe Cours Qc

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Race Day Weather

Average Temperature9.5°C / 49°F
Humidity86%
Wind13.7 km/h
Rain Chance46%
Typical ConditionsCool early-October morning along the St. Lawrence, typically 6-12C (43-54F) at the 8:00am start and climbing only into the low teens, often with a brisk river wind and a chance of light rain.

What to Prepare: Near-perfect marathon temperatures. Wear arm sleeves and a throwaway top for the corral wait at Place Jean-Beliveau; the river wind bites before the gun but you will warm up fast once the loop gets moving.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 13.7 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 4.9°C 9.1°C 14.1°C
Dew point 1.4°C 7°C 12.2°C
Wet-day chance: 46% Runnability: 71/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeSingle-loop urban road marathon
Elevation Gain275m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA rolling city loop that starts and finishes at Place Jean-Beliveau (ExpoCite), crossing three boroughs and nine neighbourhoods — Old Quebec, Limoilou, Saint-Sauveur and Montcalm — with leafy parks and flat St. Lawrence riverside stretches along Quai Saint-Andre; roughly +275m of cumulative rolling gain rather than any net drop.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Quebec City Marathon - Oct 4

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Quebec City Marathon and what time does it start?

The Marathon Beneva de Quebec full marathon runs on Sunday, Oct 4, 2026, with an 8:00am wave start at Place Jean-Beliveau (250 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, by ExpoCite). It is the climax of a festival weekend (Oct 2-4) that also includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a kids' run.

Is the Quebec City Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is measured to international standards and certified by Athletics Canada, so a finishing time counts toward Boston qualifying. Check your standard with our Boston qualifying calculator, then use the pace calculator to plan splits for a rolling city loop that rewards even pacing.

What is the Quebec City Marathon course like?

It is a single loop that starts and finishes at Place Jean-Beliveau (ExpoCite), so the start and finish sit at the same elevation — this is not a net-downhill course. The redesigned route (reworked around the city's tramway construction) crosses three boroughs and nine neighbourhoods, weaving through Old Quebec, Limoilou, Saint-Sauveur and Montcalm, past leafy parks and flat riverside stretches along the St. Lawrence at Quai Saint-Andre. The rolling, scenic profile favours even pacing over any single hill strategy.

What is the course time limit?

The full marathon has a 6-hour limit, roughly 8:32 per kilometre (about 13:44 per mile), with intermediate checkpoints along the route. That gives walk-run finishers a comfortable margin. Plug your goal into the finish-time calculator to confirm you stay inside every cutoff.

How big is the field and how do I register?

The full marathon drew 2,168 finishers in 2025 — one of Canada's largest full marathons, and almost double its 2024 turnout. Entry is online through Race Roster with no lottery, but the full marathon sells out, so register early or watch for the bib-transfer window. Recent full-marathon entry has run around C$150 before taxes and fees.

What makes Quebec City a great marathon destination?

The loop runs straight through UNESCO-listed Old Quebec, the only fortified city north of Mexico, with cobblestone streets, the Chateau Frontenac and a French-speaking culture unlike anywhere else in North America. Early October brings peak fall colour along the St. Lawrence, making this one of Canada's most atmospheric destination races.

Do international runners need a visa to enter Canada?

It depends on your passport. Visa-exempt travellers (most of Europe, Japan, Australia) need only an electronic eTA, applied for online before flying. Travellers from visa-required countries must obtain a Canadian visitor visa in advance. Check current rules with the Canadian government well before booking flights to Quebec City (YQB) or Montreal-Trudeau (YUL).

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