Even if it's not a record, the region's runner will hit an important milestone on Sunday between Duchesnay and Quebec.
As the region's running season draws to a close, Jean-Yves Sanfaçon will have extra reason to celebrate finishing his 100th marathon in less than 20 years.
The 62-year-old first completed the 42.2-kilometre distance in 2006 in the Okanagan Valley. From that day on, he never stopped hosting such events, except during the Covid period when the events were cancelled.
“The first two years I ran three marathons. Then I went up to four a year. In my biggest season, I think I ran ten or eleven marathons,” the athlete explains with all humility.
Definition
Mr. Sanfason will reach 100 during the Duchesnay-Quebec Marathon, whose course is almost entirely downhill. Series event Capital classics will use Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf Vélopiste.
This way, some runners will be able to aim to qualify for Boston 2027. A total of 3,000 bibs have been sold for different distances.
At shorter distances of five to ten kilometers, motivation is easily explained, but in a marathon, the pleasure sometimes disappears halfway. The question is logical: why so much?
“Sometimes it hurt a little. Sometimes I can't wait to see the finish line and I go if I have to. Other times it's more enjoyable and the crowd helps us. There are good days and bad days. It's a matter of determination,” adds the sexagenarian, who managed to finish 99 first, which is already remarkable.
If his best time is around 3:27, the marathon runner is now running around 4:15 or a little more. In the spring of 2025, he even ran a marathon in Italy, France and Laval, Quebec.
Projects
“As you get older, you have to be prepared to slow down. Like others, I went abroad several times, combining holidays and running. In Switzerland, in the mountains, it was a challenge, and the weather was good too! ” he explains, moving through memories and favorites.
A few hours before a new start, is this hundredth marathon an achievement in his eyes or just a routine activity?
“It's just a number, although it's an achievement. There's no pressure on me either. It works well. It's somewhere in the middle! Everything has to be good. It's important to find what you like,” he concludes.
Despite the first snowflakes on the horizon, Jean-Yves Sanfaçon is already planning his 2026 calendar, which should include four or five marathons… and a few cross-country races to change things up.
