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A comprehensive guide to racing Challenge Cap Quebec.
*This is a review of Challenge Cap Quebec based on my experience in the 2024 middle distance race.
Photo By Nabeel Chirathodi
Land Acknowledgment: We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gathered for this event is the traditional and unceded territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these nations and this land.
Pre Travel: For this trip we drove from our home province of Ontario. The closest airport to this race is the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport.
The Race:
Venue: Quebec City, Quebec
Photo of Swim Course by Nabeel Chirathodi
Expo and Transition Set Up:
The expo, open on the Friday and Saturday before the race, was well-organized and staffed. It featured a variety of vendors offering essential race day items. Notable event sponsors such as Argon 18 and Spark Nutrition were present, along with a selection of Challenge Cap Quebec apparel and gear.
Unique Feature: Challenge Cap Quebec offered two days of racing with three race distances to choose from. Day One consisted of both Sprint and Olympic distance races, while Day Two hosted the P113/middle-distance race.
Packet pick-up was located beside the transition at the Cruise Ship Terminal, it was well organized and clearly marked. A unique feature of the pick-up experience was the opportunity to enter a draw for a coveted slot at Challenge Roth.
Unique Feature: Indigenous presence was highlighted throughout the weekend. At packet pick-up, athletes received a bracelet from the Wendake tribe, featuring four beads representing different seasons. The awards ceremony began with a performance by a member of the local Indigenous community. Overall age group winners received a spice blend, while the Pro Podium winners were honored with a traditional paddle and necklace, both were handcrafted.
Athletes were required to drop off their bikes the day before their race, while the remainder of the transition setup was completed on race morning. The transition area was clearly marked, ensuring a smooth and straightforward setup process.
Bikes were dropped off in transition the day before the race. Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi
Race Day Tip: Plan extra time to use the toilet before the race. Port-a Pottys get busy right before the start of the race.
Unique Feature:This event offered wetsuit rentals, as detailed in the athlete guide. Athletes were encouraged to reserve their wetsuit online through the official partner, La Boutique du Lac, to ensure availability and the correct size. The rental rates were as follows: $40 for one day, $60 for the weekend, and $100 for one week.
Swim: The swim course had of a zig zag pattern through the marina. For the P113 race there were 14 turn buoys and four sighting buoys on the final straight to the swim exit. Each turn buoy was clearly numbered to ensure athletes knew which point of the swim they were at.
Unique Feature: The day began with a flyover by the Canadian Armed Forces. A helicopter soared over the event to signal the start of the National Anthem, then returned for another pass to officially kick off the race.
Professional athletes started a few minutes before the age group athletes. Age group athletes start time was based on a self seeded swim time.
Left Photo: Athletes lining up to start the swim. Right Photo: Path clearly marked for athletes to run from swim exit into T1. Photos by Nabeel Chirathodi
Race Day Tip: Estimate your swim time accurately to ensure proper seeding. One athlete I spoke to mentioned they had misjudged their seeding, resulting in them passing numerous swimmers and experiencing congestion around a few swim buoys.
Unique Feature: The event provided different cap colors for athletes who are weaker swimmers, helping lifeguards easily identify and closely monitor those who might need additional assistance in the water.
Transition 1: Athletes exit the swim via stairs and have a long run up into T1. This run was carpeted for comfort. The entry and exit of T1 were straightforward, with a clearly marked path leading onto the bike course. However, the run from the transition area to the mount line was fairly long and not carpeted, the rough pavement felt uncomfortable for athletes who had their shoes pre-clipped to their bikes.
Race Day Tip: Make a mental note of where your bike is located so that you can find it quickly in transition.
Bike: The middle-distance bike course consisted of four loops, entirely closed to traffic. There were several technical elements, including sharp turns and five 180-degree turns per loop. Athletes had a few short climbs, such as on-ramps to the highway and a small hill on the highway itself. The route was very clear, with race officials, police, and medical staff patrolling to ensure a safe and organized race environment. Notably, an entire lane on the highway was reserved for medical access, enhancing the safety measures in place.
Race Day Tip: The course features numerous 180-degree turns, so it's beneficial to practice your cornering skills and work on getting back up to speed out of the turns.
Elevation: This course is rolling, my GPS showed an elevation change of 367 meters/1204 feet.
Each loop of the bike course had two aid stations, providing water and electrolyte drinks. They were both located on flat sections of the course.
If you plan on using the aid stations, remember to be mindful of the 'litter zones' positioned before and after the aid station. These zones are designated for athletes to dispose of their existing bottles and replace them with the ones provided.
Unique Feature: The bike course was on a three lane highway that was completely closed to traffic.
Transition 2: Upon completing the final lap, athletes dismount on the right-hand side of the road and enter T2. Both the course exit and dismount line are clearly marked. Athletes then rack their bikes at designated spots. T2 follows a reverse flow compared to T1, with athletes exiting through the same way they entered after their swim. All sections of T2 are clearly marked, including the exit onto the run course.
Run : The run course consists of two loops, each had six aid stations stocked with water, ice, electrolyte drinks, Coke, and snacks like pretzels. Each aid station also had port-a-potties available. The course included a few 'hot spots' where spectators gathered, notably through parts of Old Quebec City and near the transition zone, it created an energetic and supportive atmosphere.
Elevation: This course is rolling, my GPS showed that there was a total elevation change of of 110 meters/360 feet.
The finish line for this event offered a unique opportunity for athletes to cross with up to four family members, provided no other participants were obstructed. Event organizers set up a tent near the finish line where family members could gather and prepare to join their athletes for a finish together.
Unique Feature: The course winds through Old Quebec City, a historical area with narrow cobbled streets. This section is excellent for energy and crowd support.
Nutrition: On course nutrition was water, drinks from Spark Nutrition, Coke and pretzels.
Left Photo: Set up for Awards Ceremony. Right Photo: Penny waiting to cheer for the final finisher of the day. Photos by Rachel Faulds
Overall Rating: A+
This race earned a perfect score based on the scoring guide.
Pre Race Training and Accomodation:
Preparing for the race in Quebec was straightforward and convenient. For swimming, there were several options, including a local YMCA. The most unique option was at the Port de Quebec, where an open water area in the St. Lawrence River is set up with lane ropes for swimming.
Cycling was a bit more challenging unless you were able to leave the city. The Plains of Abraham Park is the best in-city option for cycling, though it requires multiple loops. It's important to note that athletes could not bike the race course beforehand, as it runs along a highway.
Running was accessible, with plenty of suitable sidewalks, including a scenic path along the water and through the Plains of Abraham Park.
Accommodation options catered to various budgets and did not seem to have inflated prices due to the event. However, it's important to note that Old Quebec City can be quite expensive during the summer. Athletes may need to expand their search to 10-20 km outside of town to find more affordable accommodations.
In the lead-up to the race, mechanical services were available from Mathieu Performance at the expo. Additionally, Mathieu Performance offered bike rentals.
Medical services were easily accessible, with nearby hospitals and pharmacies.
Both grocery stores and restaurants were plentiful.
Overall Rating: A+
Curious on how the scoring works? Check out the scoring guide.
Post Race Sightseeing:
Quebec City, one of Canada's most historic and picturesque cities, offers a unique opportunity for post-race sightseeing. Athletes and their support crew can explore its rich history and vibrant culture through some of their most famous attractions:
Huron-Wendat Museum
Explore the heritage of the Huron-Wendat Nation at the Huron-Wendat Museum. This is a permanent exhibition that showcases artifacts grouped into three cultural themes: knowledge, memory, and territory. This museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting Huron-Wendat heritage and offers engaging craft workshops year-round, which provides hands-on experience that connects you to the culture.
Experience Indigenous Cuisine
Check out Indigenous cuisine at one of Quebec City's Indigenous restaurants. Some top choices include:
La Traite: Known for its refined Indigenous dishes.
La Sagamité: Offers a blend of traditional and contemporary Indigenous cuisine.
Huron Traditional Site Onhoüa Chetek8e: Experience authentic Huron-Wendat meals in a culturally immersive setting.
Relax in Local Cafes
Quebec City is famous for its cafes offering items like pastries, fresh bread, and coffee. Popular menu items include a croissant or a pain au chocolat.
Explore Old Quebec City By Foot: Old Quebebc City is a UNESCO World Heritige site. Notible sites include:
Petit Champlain District: one of North America's oldest commercial areas.
The Breakneck Staircase: This is the oldest staircase in Quebec City and connects the upper and lower parts of the city. We found a pet friendly patio along this staircase for some post race food!
Murals: In the lower part of Old Quebec is the Quebecois fresco, a popular mural captivating the city's history and culture.
The Citadel: This historic fortress has guided tours to provide insight into it's history and offer views of the St Lawrence River.
Religious Sites
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Quebec: Built in 1647, it is the oldest Catholic church outside of Mexico.
Holy Trinity Cathedral: The first Anglican cathedral built outside the British Isles.
The Plains of Abraham
The Plains of Abraham is the site of a historic battlefield and is now a beautiful urban park. This area is great for pre race training, exploring, and learning about a historic battle.
For more information and options on planning some Post Race Sightseeing in Quebec, you can visit their tourism page here.
Photos by Rachel Faulds
Words To Know:
Hi - Salut
Hello- Bonjour
Goodbye - Au revoir
Yes - Oui
No- Non
Please- S'il te plaît
Thank you - Merci
No thank you- Non, merci
Ok - d'accord
Triathlons In Quebec:
Challenge Esprit Montreal Closest Airport: Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant Closest Airport: Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Triathlons In Canada:
Ironman Canada-Ottawa Closest Airport: Ottawa International Airport (YOW) Ironman 70.3 Muskoka:
Closest Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) Ironman 70.3 Calgary Closest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Ironman 70.3 Victoria: Closest Airport: Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
Where to Stay:
We stayed outside of Old Quebec City at Le Bonne Entente, approximately 14 km from the race venue. We chose this hotel primarily because it was the most affordable option for us. The hotel was very clean and comfortable, though the decor was a bit dated, which was reflected in the pricing. There was a pool on site, but it wasn't large enough for any serious training. The on-site restaurant was quite expensive and served small portions, which I personally would not recommend. Fortunately, there were many restaurants nearby.
Bikes are not allowed in guest rooms at this hotel. However, the hotel offers a secure bike storage service for guests. Only staff have access to the storage room, and guests are provided with an identification card for their bikes.
Tips and Tricks:
Plan your nutrition in advance, including if you are going to be using aid stations. If you are using aid stations make sure you look out for litter zones and/or prep yourself for the bottle pick ups.
Bring a flat changing kit (and/or a flat patching kit).
Give yourself extra time race morning since there is often long lines for toilets.
If you plan on using aid stations during the bike practice grabbing bottles during your ride(s)/training.
Race Specific:
Prepare your equipment bags the night before the race to have a smooth set up race morning.
In your race prep, be sure to practice your sighting for the swim. This race features many technical turns.
Practice your 180 degree turns before this race. This course has a lot of 180 degree turns on the bike.
Cost:
The local currency in Quebec is the Canadian Dollar.
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Quebec, and apps are required to pay for parking. .
Tipping is a common practice in Canada. A general guideline is to tip approximately 15-20% of the bill at restaurants and bars. For taxi and rideshare services, a tip of 10-15% is customary.
Accomodations: A wide range of accommodations was available, with prices ranging from $160 CAD to over $800 CAD per night. Most hotels close to the venue were priced between $300 and $500 per night. For those with access to a vehicle, staying 10-20 km away from the venue offered more affordable options.
Food: Quebec City offers a wide variety of restaurants catering to many tastes and budgets. Meal prices start at around $15 CAD per person at more affordable eateries and can exceed $100 per person at high-end establishments.
Additionally, we brought our dog on this trip and found several pet-friendly patios where we could dine comfortably.
Parking Fees: Some accommodations offered on-site parking, typically charging a fee of $20-25 CAD per day. Additionally, there are numerous parking lots throughout Quebec City that provide paid daytime parking, generally costing around $20 CAD for the entire day. On race day, we found a discounted lot for $10 CAD, though it was blocked off due to the race, preventing early departure before the end of the bike segment.
Taxi Cost: It's worth noting that we did not use a taxi during our trip as we had access to our own vehicle. However, based on our research, taxi costs in Quebec City generally follow a metered fare system. The base fare starts at approximately $3.50-$4.00 CAD, with an additional charge of about $1.75-$2.00 CAD per kilometer. Surcharges may apply if you need the taxi to wait for you or if you require a larger taxi to accommodate luggage or a bike.
Entry Fee: I competed in the Women's Pro division, where the entry cost varies based on PTO ranking. I was fortunate to receive a complimentary entry for this race. The regular entry price, including taxes, fees, and a one-day Triathlon Quebec membership, is just under $500 CAD. There is also an option for up to $120 CAD off for early registration.
Expo Fees: The expo offered free entry and showcased a wide variety of apparel and equipment for sale, with prices appearing to be at market value. Additionally, there was Challenge Quebec and Challenge Family apparel available. These items were on the pricier side; for instance, we purchased a T-shirt featuring the names of all participants on the back for approximately $70 CAD, including taxes.
Interested in a free triathlon guide? Check our homepage!
Please note that this post was written from my perspective and experiences. Your experiences may vary. Please read your local travel advisory prior to travel.
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