Demi Marathon de la voie verte 2026

The Demi Marathon de la voie verte debuts on 16 August 2026 in Chelsea, Quebec. Organized by an events team with more than 30 years of experience and produced in partnership with Marc Roy Consulting, Sportstats and Somersault, the race is presented as part of Chelsea’s 150th municipal festivities and marks a new in-person tradition on La Voie Verte Chelsea.

This single-day festival offers a 21.1 km half-marathon, a 5 km and a 1 km community run. The half-marathon starts at 08:00 from Farm Point, the 5 km follows at 08:20 and the 1 km at 11:00. Bus transport to the half start is included for all half entrants (buses depart Parc de Baseball Russell Martin between 06:45 and 07:30). The 5 km is capped at 300 runners; age categories range from youth divisions through 75+ across the distances. An athlete guide is scheduled for publication around 1 August.

What sets the event apart is its greenway setting and community focus. The course runs largely on La Voie Verte, a converted rail corridor that begins with roughly 2.5 km along the Gatineau River toward Wakefield before moving inland to Chelsea; the half carries a "certification argent" from Athlétisme Québec. Organizers highlight eco-responsible event practices and direct support to local causes, including Maison Libère-Elle and La Voie Verte de Chelsea. Registered runners receive race amenities such as a medal (half and 5K), a high-quality Surge t-shirt, Sportstats timing, pace rabbits, on-course medical coverage, bag transport to the finish and a post-race snack. Aid stations are placed at specific kilometres and electrolytes are supplied by Spark Nutrition.

Registration opens 1 September; visit the event’s official site to view entry windows, pricing and race-day logistics, and consult the athlete guide when it is published. Questions can be directed to info@demivoieverte.ca.

• Half-marathon start: Farm Point; half finish and 5 km/1 km start/finish: Brasserie Chelsea Co.
• Linear, point-to-point format with approximately 18 km on La Voie Verte (a converted former rail corridor).
• First ~2.5 km of the half follows the Gatineau River toward Wakefield before the course turns inland along the greenway.
• Aid stations located at KM 2.7, 6.1, 9.6, 12.1, 14.2, 16.2 and 19.2; electrolyte stations at KM 6.1, 9.6, 14.2 and 19.2.
• Bus shuttle to the half start departs Parc de Baseball Russell Martin (06:45–07:30) and bag transport to the finish is provided.

• Scenic greenway course: Roughly 18 km of the route runs on La Voie Verte, beginning with about 2.5 km along the Gatineau River toward Wakefield.
• Bus transport included for half entrants: Buses depart Parc de Baseball Russell Martin between 06:45 and 07:30 to shuttle all half-marathon participants to the Farm Point start.
• Race amenities included: Half-marathon and 5K finishers receive a medal and all entrants get a high-quality Surge t-shirt, post-race snack and bag transport to the finish.
• Official timing and pacing support: Sportstats provides timing and pace rabbits are on course for the half-marathon.
• Hydration and electrolytes on course: Aid stations at KM 2.7, 6.1, 9.6, 12.1, 14.2, 16.2 and 19.2 with electrolytes supplied by Spark Nutrition at KM 6.1, 9.6, 14.2 and 19.2.
• Community and sustainability focus: Event emphasizes eco-responsible practices and supports local charities including Maison Libère-Elle and La Voie Verte de Chelsea.