Organizers of the 2025 P’tit Train du Nord Marathon in Saint-Jérôme, Que., were forced to make a difficult call on Oct. 5, cancelling the event mid-race as unseasonably warm temperatures hit the province.
By 11 a.m., temperatures had climbed to 23 C with 66 per cent humidity, prompting the race’s medical director to stop the marathon for health and safety reasons. Nearly 400 of the 2,400 participants were removed from the course at the 32 km and 36 km marks. Although they were still awarded medals, their results were officially 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 Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and following a converted railway line through the Laurentian Mountains to Saint-Jérôme. Its gentle downhill makes it a popular Boston Marathon qualifier for many.
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 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.
