Get to know the name: Xavier Saint-Cyr, 23, from St-Lambert, Que., was not on the elite list, not pegged as a favourite and not expecting what would unfold when he toed the nighttime start for the new distance at Quebec Mega Trail, the 135K. He crossed the line in 17:18:05, stunned. “I didn’t come here for the podium,” he said. “This is the cherry on top.”
QMT is known for its brutal climbs, unpredictable weather and scenic views, and this year, a brand new chapter was written with the inaugural running of the 135K distance. QMT-135 delivered record-setting times and standout performances from both rising and established athletes, supported by a series of innovations that signal QMT’s growing place on the global trail stage.
An unexpected winner
Saint-Cyr signed up for the QMT-135 because he’d heard about the event’s difficulty: “I tend to do well in very technical terrain, and I had heard there was a lot of it on the course, so I wanted to challenge myself,” he said. A few hours in, he unexpectedly found himself at the front of the pack: “I usually start conservatively and work my way up, but this time the start felt manageable.”
At around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, a few hours into the race, Saint-Cyr had some issues with his nutrition and considered stopping his race. “Fortunately, for me, the sun came up, and with the sun up, I had this reset,” he said. “I don’t care about the time, I’m just here to have fun, so I need to focus on just having fun and just moving my legs.” It wasn’t long after that that aid station volunteers told him he was in the lead, at kilometre 66. He held on to the position, and was prepared for another runner to pass him, but he wanted them “to work for it.”
Behind him, Matthieu Saliou, who finished third at last year’s QMT-110, closed a 15-minute gap in the final climbs to take second, while French trail veteran Sébastien Camus was third, praising the “exceptional quality of the aid stations” and “electrifying energy” of the volunteers.
French trail superstar claims women’s 135K
On the women’s side, the result was equally riveting: Maryline Nakache, 2025 Marathon des Sables champion, ran a strong effort that placed her not only first in the women’s field but fourth overall, with a time of 19:11:41. “It was so technical… and I had a long stretch alone,” she said, crediting her crew for keeping her focused through the hardest segments.
Nakache was chased closely by Geneviève Nadeau, a Quebec-based doctor and recreational runner who led until Mont-Sainte-Anne and still managed to hold on to a solid second place. Mylène Sansoucy took third, rounding out a Canadian women’s podium.
New distance, new ways to follow the race
QMT-135 also served as a launchpad for several new features aimed at modernizing and elevating the race experience for athletes and fans. For the first time, QMT offered a full-day livestream, hosted by Yannick Vézina (Pas sorti du bois), Nico Dan (ON), and Marie-Ève Pelland (Tout.Trail). One of Vézina’s standout moments came early Saturday morning, when the team received their first live drone shot of a runner in action. “The hardest part isn’t hosting—it’s managing the technical side,” he said. New follow-cams on select athletes gave viewers an up-close look at the terrain and the grit required to conquer the new 135K distance.
QMT Founder Jean Fortier highlighted the vision and effort it took to heighten the viewer experience: “We spent the past year watching live broadcasts from major international trail races, determined to meet the expectations of our community and live up to our reputation,” he said. Trail races face unique challenges in broadcasting due to logistical demands, internet availability for media transmission, and safety considerations. QMT’s livestreaming effort was well-received: “The public response has been beyond anything we hoped for — the visual quality and live coverage were simply outstanding. We’re still riding the high.”
Also new for 2025 was GPS tracking for 100 athletes, which significantly improved the experience for crew and spectators. “This was our first year integrating GPS technology, with the goal of improving logistics and athlete safety, while ensuring faster response times for on-course services, especially medical support when needed. That level of precision made all the difference, especially in long-distance races like the QMT135.”
Since joining the World Trail Majors in 2023, QMT has rapidly evolved from a national powerhouse into a globally recognized race. With the launch of the QMT-135 and bold moves in media and race-day technology, the event is proving it’s not just expanding its course, but showing what a Canadian trail race can be.
QMT135 results
Women
Maryline Nakache (France) – 19:11:41 *Record – New course*
Geneviève Nadeau (Canada) – 20:26:04
Mylène Sansoucy (Canada) – 20:33:31
Elizabeth MacDonald (Canada) – 20:44:31
Geneviève Asselin-Demers (Canada) – 20:58:43
Men
Xavier St-Cyr (Canada) – 17:18:05 *Record – New course*
Matthieu Saliou (Canada) – 17:43:32
Sébastien Camus (France) – 19:00:02
David Cormier (Canada) – 19:33:44
Vincent Drolet (Canada) – 19:45:42
For complete race results, click here.
