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Beneva Montreal Marathon 2026

« A maple-sweet run! »
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Photo credits: © 2025 CHRISTIAN MARTIN

The event in a few words

It is in Montreal, in the province of Quebec, in Canada, that takes place every year, in the month of October, one of the country's most beautiful and famous marathons ⭐️: the Beneva Montreal Marathon 🇨🇦. But that's not all: in addition to this legendary 42 km, a half-marathon is also organized, as well as a 10 km, a 5 km, a children's race 1 km and "The Mile" (a race of 1.6 km). And you know what? You can even do a "combo" and run two races 😯. That's the cherry on top, isn't it? 🍒

It's the largest running event in Quebec in terms of the number of participants and spectators. You'll quickly understand why when you get there; if there's a race worth traveling for (and training for! 🏋️‍♂️), this one is truly it! Because, in addition to being a spectacular event, it is also known for its festive and lively atmosphere 🥳, the performance of some athletes, and the magnificence of its course 😘. Note that it's not every day you get the chance to use the word "magnificence" in a text, but there you have it! 😜 This exceptional race takes place along the St. Lawrence River, in the global metropolis of Montreal. It's hard to imagine in advance what you'll feel when you see all these different landscapes 🥹. You'll go from islands to islands, bridges to bridges, neighborhoods to neighborhoods, and parks to parks. All races, in addition to being exceptional, are charitable through the "From the Heart to the Race" program 🤝. As you've understood, there's a lot to see, support, and do, and that's particularly what makes this event famous! Want to know more? We tell you everything ⬇️.

The half-marathon and the Montreal marathon will start from the Île Saint-Hélène, near the immense Parc Jean-Drapeau, located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River 📍. You will also pass through Île Notre-Dame, neighboring your start point 🚩. Of course, for this, as you might guess, you will have to cross a small series of bridges, including the Pont de la Concorde, which will awe you! 😏 Depending on the distance you choose - or can manage 😅 - you'll have the opportunity to navigate through the heart of the big city and the center of the island. Even for those running the marathon, you can cross it from end to end, pounding the pavement on the Boulevard Saint-Laurent, and reach the Rivière des Prairies 🌸. To stay on the watery theme: know that you will also edge the port of the city ⚓️, which must be quite impressive! Besides the large water bodies, you'll see a lot of greens in this magnificent event 🌲. You'll visit Parc La Fontaine ⛲️, the Parc Jarry, the Parc Louis-Hébert, the Parc Ahuntsic, the Parc du Pélican, the Parc Lafond, the Parc Idola Saint-Jean, the Parc Étienne-Desmarteau, the Parc de la Louisiane or even the Parc Maisonneuve... Well, not all of them! It will depend on the distance, of course! Otherwise, you should run an ultra to have the time to see it all 😂.

The city is indeed globally known for its beauty, its greenery, its vast natural areas 🌬️, but also for its dynamism 💥, gastronomy, nightlife 🪩, and modernity! So you won't get bored during this event that offers a wide variety of environments and race sizes 👍. Besides the 21 and 42 km, you have the option to run a 10 km and a 5 km 🤏. Shorter, they will have you run around Parc Maisonneuve. However, if the city interests you, you will have more chances to see Montreal life with the marathon, thanks to two long passages on Boulevard Saint-Laurent. Being one of the largest and most well-known boulevards of the city, "The Main" 🖐️ (the name given to this enormous road), cuts the island of Montreal in two ✂️. All the styles and atmospheres coexist in this cosmopolitan street 🤝. Food enthusiasts will enjoy passing through the Chinatown and "Little Italy", while night owls will love discovering the "Red Light", the Entertainment District 🎭.

At the end of your race, you'll definitely want to go around again. So we recommend heading to the "Mile End", a neighborhood full of bars, cafes, and restaurants 🍽️, where you'll definitely find something to satisfy your hunger 🫃. Those who want to keep stretching their legs can stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal or climb "The Mountain". We're not talking about the giant in Game of Thrones, but Mount Royal, the city's highest point ⛰️. There are also many monuments to admire, such as the St. Joseph's Oratory, the Montreal Opera, and the Notre-Dame Basilica. Lastly, if you really want to get into the city's soul, you must absolutely go down to the underground city. Used during times of extreme cold, it is the heart of winter life for many locals 💓.

So, are you joining us to share a good maple waffle? 🍁

4 reasons to join this race

To support good causes 🤝
The Beneva Montreal Marathon is a charitable competition as it supports, through its "From the Heart to the Race" program, organizations by placing its various events, platforms, and visibility at the service of their fundraising efforts. Running to feel good is one thing, but running to do good for others is even better! 👏
Crossing the island from end to end 🗾
The city of Montreal will have no more secrets for you! You'll get the chance to traverse it from East to West and discover its most beautiful aspects. The numerous neighborhoods that make it up will reveal themselves to you in all their diversity and dynamism. You'll have only one desire: to finish the race as quickly as possible to head out again to discover the city! 🌆 Architecture, green spaces... All your senses will be delighted.
The crazy atmosphere 🎉
With thousands of participants and volunteers gathering every year, you can imagine the party will be there that weekend. Entertainment and concerts are also planned, which should make you even more eager to join 😉. The competition is legendary, and for a good reason!
Enjoying the city's dynamism after the race 🤌
We bet you'll be running after you finish your race! 😜 Running to get back out as quickly as possible and enjoy the thrilling activities around the city. Eating poutine, visiting some of the best nightclubs in Canada, going to the most beautiful museums... The choice is vast!

A distance for every taste

Marathon

Road RunningThe most popular
  • Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 7:45 AM
  • Elevation gain : 172mD+ / 140mD-
  • 1 loopx42.195 km

A few more words

Here you are, ready to tread the great and prestigious boulevards of Montreal! 🏃‍♀️

The grand kickoff 🔫 for this exceptional race will take place at l'Espace 67 on Île Saint-Hélène, near Parc Jean-Drapeau 🇨🇦, perched in the middle of the St. Lawrence River 🌊. Beware ⚠️, it might be quite chilly! The race is held in September, a month when temperatures are still excellent for running, but don't forget that your start is at 7:45 AM! On the other hand, we bet you will have a spectacular view: with all the runners, at sunrise, surrounded by the majestic river... 🤤 Anyway!

You will cross a first bridge to reach the neighboring island, Île Notre-Dame, where you'll take a little tour and find your first refreshment stop with water at km 2 💦. You'll particularly use a portion of the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit (Formula 1 track). A second bridge will lead you back to Île Saint-Hélène for a quick pass ⚡️. From there, you'll take the Pont de la Concorde, where you'll have a breathtaking view of the city of Montreal in the distance and the blue water of the famous river 🤩. You can take deep breaths of the fresh sea air! The bonus is the abundant green spaces waiting for you. Isn't it bliss? 😏

You will finally reach the city's industrial port ⚓️, which you will follow along. That's a change of scenery! 😊 Ultimately, you'll finally plunge into the heart of the metropolis and into the neighborhoods of Ville-Marie and Plateau Mont-Royal 👑. After coming across a new refreshment stop at km 6, you'll find another one at km 9. These energy bars should provide you with enough strength to continue easily to the first park on the map: Parc La Fontaine. You will need to skirt this patch of greenery to find another refreshment stop at km 13 💪.

You'll then head towards Boulevard Saint-Laurent with the help of a short straight line 📏, from km 13 to km 15. Once you reach the corner of Saint-Laurent, you'll start advancing on one of the city's largest and best-known boulevards. "La Main" 🖐️, the name given to this vast road (an abbreviation of "Main Street"), cuts the island of Montreal in two ✂️ and connects the eponymous river to the Rivière des Prairies. All styles, vibes, and environments coexist in this cosmopolitan street 🤝, and you will get the chance to discover it! You'll cross the Chinatown, the "Red Light" (now part of the Quartier des spectacles 🎭), the "Mile End" (a district of bars, cafes, and restaurants ☕️), the "Little Italy" and you'll pass by Parc Jarry 🌳. This might make you want to come back for another visit after your race! 😜 This straight line, perfect for performing, will last from km 15 to km 22! But no worries: this massive stretch of the course is dotted with 3 refreshment points.

You can enjoy a refreshing breeze at the end of the street 🌬️, once you've reached the river. You'll follow the quays along Avenue Park Stanley and pass by the Sophie-Barrat Pool. You can even go INSIDE if you're too warm 🏊, but not sure the organizers agree! 😂 The next stops will be the refreshment at km 23, Parc Louis-Hébert and Parc Ahuntsic, following in succession 🌿. After a new refreshment at the 24th km, repeat! 🔁 You'll head for a long straight line on Saint-Laurent, from km 25 to km 30. This part of the trail is sprinkled with 3 refreshment points, which should greatly help you face the wall at 30 🥵. You'll then turn onto Boulevard Saint-Joseph at km 34.

You will have done the hardest part! 👏 You will have less than 10 km left to reach the holy grail. Before that, you'll pass by Parc du Pélican 🦜, where you will find another refreshment (surely, you won't die of thirst!). You'll then head to Parc Lafond, Parc Idola Saint-Jean, and Parc Étienne-Desmarteau (where you'll have another refreshment point, so you don't go mad 🔨). This will be followed by some strides on Boulevard Rosemont, which will carry you past Parc de la Louisiane. You might even get a whiff of some flowers from the botanical garden! 🌹

Finally, you will arrive at your final destination: Parc Maisonneuve! 🥇 It's amidst a shower of applause and surrounded by spectators and loved ones that you will savor this well-deserved victory 👊.

GPX

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can pick up your bib at the Marathon Expo held at the Montreal Convention Center (Pierre-Charbonneau Center):

  • Friday, October 9, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No minimum age is required to participate in the races. However, here are the recommended ages:

  • For the marathon and half-marathon: 18 years

  • For the 10 km and 5 km: 16 and 14 years

  • For "The Mile": 16 years

  • For the 1 km: maximum 12 years

The races:

  • For the marathon: wave starts on Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 7:45 a.m. from Parc Jean-Drapeau

  • For the half-marathon: wave starts on Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 7:45 a.m. from Parc Jean-Drapeau

  • For the 10 km: wave starts on Saturday, October 10, 2026, starting at 9:45 a.m. from Sherbrooke Street, near the Olympic Stadium

  • For the 5 km: wave starts on Saturday, October 10, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. from Sherbrooke Street, near the Olympic Stadium

  • For the 1 km: children's wave starts on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. from the Botanical Garden

  • For "The Mile": wave starts on Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 6 p.m. from Parc Maisonneuve

Do you have more questions? You can contact the organizers:

You can become a volunteer by clicking on this link.

The races:

  • For the marathon: 6 hours

  • For the half-marathon: 4 hours

  • For the 10 km: 2 hours

  • For the 5 km: 1 hour

Here is what is included:

  • Bib with timing chip

  • Athlete tracking during the race via an application

  • Medal

  • Refreshments

  • Post-race food and beverage (post-race snack for the 1 km)

  • Bag check service

  • Safe route - Medical service

  • Pace bunnies

Yes, there will be pace bunnies on the course.

Yes, a bag check service will be available:

  • Saturday (1 km, 5 km, 10 km): Parc Maisonneuve starting from 7 a.m. (zone closes at 12:30 p.m.)

  • Sunday (21.1 km, 42.2 km): Parc Jean Drapeau from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (zone closes at 2:30 p.m.)

You can check the race rules here

Focus

Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal
Marathon Beneva de Montréal