Quebec marathon stops race due to extreme heat

Organizers of the 2025 P’tit Train du Nord Marathon in Saint-Jérôme, Que., were forced to make a difficult call on Oct. 5, stopping the event mid-race for health and safety reasons as unseasonably warm temperatures hit the province.

Note: the original version of this story contained some inaccuracies, which have been corrected.

By 11 a.m. local time, temperatures had climbed to 23 C with 66 per cent humidity. According to race co-founder and president Alain Bordeleau, the decision was based on a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reading of 35 C, and the race was stopped at 12 noon. (WBGT is an internationally recognized measure of heat that takes into account not just temperature and humidity, but also windspeed and radiant heat from the sun and environmental effects; 35 C is clearly in the danger zone for athletic events.) One hundred fifty-one participants were unable to complete the race, as a result. Although they were still awarded medals, their results were listed as DNF.

In a statement shared on social media, race organizers wrote:

“Due to warm weather conditions, the medical director of P’tit Train du Nord made the decision to interrupt the race. The health and well-being of our runners remain our top priority. This measure aims to protect all participants from extreme heat.

We share the disappointment of our runners, but we want to salute their courage, preparation and passion. You are the reason for the P’tit Train du Nord Marathon.”

The P’tit Train du Nord Marathon is known as one of Quebec’s fastest marathon courses, a net downhill route starting in Val-David and following a converted railway line through the Laurentian Mountains to Saint-Jérôme. Its gentle downhill makes it a popular Boston Marathon qualifier.

Some runners voiced their disappointment about the late decision to halt the race on social media. Catherine Parent of Victoriaville, Que., who was stopped at 36 km, said she understood the health concerns but expected some form of compensation.

Race organizers responded by saying there would not be compensation because the decision was “out of their control.”

Other participants supported the call. One runner commented on Facebook, “With the number of people I saw collapse on the course in the last few kilometres, I understand this decision. It was very hot for October, but all of us who trained through the summer have run in worse.”

Organizers also acknowledged that many athletes had trained in hot conditions, but said the decision to end the event was made by a medical professional to protect runners from prolonged exposure and potential heat-related illness.

In previous years, the P’tit Train du Nord Marathon was held in late October, but since the pandemic, it has been moved to the first weekend of the month. This year’s race began at 8 a.m., when temperatures were already 14 C with 90 per cent humidity.