Running participation surges in Quebec's Outaouais as events lag behind demand

Running has experienced a strong resurgence in Quebec's Outaouais region. Data from Athlétisme Québec show that 300,000 people completed timed races in 2025, a new peak surpassing the previous high recorded in 2016.

Martin Gérin‑Lajoie, director‑general of Athlétisme Québec, said the growth creates a “training effect” when runners train together. Local clubs such as Nomades du Parc have expanded, adding new groups and shorter distances like 3 km to accommodate beginners.

Despite the rising participation, the supply of organized races has struggled to keep up. Since 2017, the number of races in Quebec has fallen by more than 40 %, leaving many events full quickly and creating a mismatch between demand and availability.