International Raid Temiscamingue

Témiscamingue welcomes athletes from around the world!

Press Release / 06.09.2024

Rémigny, September 5, 2024 – Nearly two hundred people gathered this evening at the Centre récréatif de Rémigny for the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Raid International Témiscamingue. The excitement and anticipation were palpable among the athletes and their assistants! There is plenty to look forward to as these professional and up-and-coming raiders prepare to tackle the challenge of covering 170 km over three days. The event kicks off tomorrow morning, with the 20-km youth Raid.

A spectacular course

“We’ve designed an extraordinary course through the heart of the forest and along the waterways of northern Témiscamingue, specifically through the municipalities of Rémigny, Guérin, Notre-Dame-du-Nord and St-Bruno-de-Guigues. If you’re a thrill-seeker, adrenaline junkie and scenery buff, be prepared to be blown away,” says Bastien Michau, race director for Endurance Aventure.

The route maps were handed out to the teams at the opening ceremony, these valuable maps were quickly unfolded and carefully studied. “I'm really excited to spend the next few hours studying these maps and making a good plan for the next few days”, added Patrick Collard, from the team Les Raideurs du matin, with enthusiasm.

To track the teams live, download the YB Races app, available on the Raid International Témiscamingue website.

5 countries represented

Sixty athletes from five countries will take part in the 2024 Raid International Témiscamingue, which runs from September 5 to 8. This competition is part of the Adventure Racing World Series, a global platform that unites professional adventure races and brings together the world’s top athletes. The enthusiasm for the event and the region is unprecedented! “We’re very proud to welcome this year’s international raiders from the United States, Finland, Italy and Poland,” exclaims Jean-Thomas Boily, co-founder and director of operations for Endurance Aventure, a Quebec company known worldwide for its expertise in organizing and broadcasting outdoor sporting events.

The growing number of teams from Ontario and across Quebec, including more than twenty athletes from Abitibi-Témiscamingue, attests to the increasing popularity of this exciting race and the interest in the breathtaking terrain.

“Témiscamingue offers an infinite array of unique locations to test the athletes’ skills in nature. Raid participants will face exciting challenges and unprecedented situations that will continuously test their limits. The excitement and emotions will be on full display, offering a unique window into Témiscamingue!” says Claire Bolduc, Prefect, Témiscamingue RCM.

"Large-scale sports events spark passion and generate undeniable economic benefits in Quebec and across the country. That is why our government is proud to support the Société de développement du Témiscamingue for the third edition of the Raid Témiscamingue. I commend the work of all those involved in organizing this event, which, thanks to their dedication and perseverance, will allow athletes and tourists from near and far to experience the splendor of Témiscamingue's natural beauty," says the Honorable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Economic Development Canada for the regions of Quebec.

Teams to watch

Quebecers Patrick Lussier and George Vissier (Team Def Leoppard) are determined to defend their title this year against their Finnish rivals, Lauri Hollo and Lauri Heinaro (Team Northern Adventure). After placing second in 2023, these representatives of the happiest country on Earth are aiming for the top of the podium at the 2024 Raid International Témiscamingue.

The elite team RAID BRAS DU NORD/100B7 is also one to watch for! Olympian Lyne Bessette, also inducted into the Quebec Cycling Hall of Fame in 2022, will compete alongside Canadian orienteering champion Philippe Côté Jacques.

The competition promises to be fierce!

About the Raid International Témiscamingue  

The Raid International Témiscamingue is a spectacular race organized by the Société de développement du Témiscamingue, the Témiscamingue RCM, and Endurance Aventure. This endurance race features a series of events combining trekking, running, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, and spectacular ropes courses. The third edition takes place from September 5 to 8, 2024, with some 30 local and international teams competing on a 170-km course through northern Témiscamingue, between Rémigny and Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues. About one hundred high school students will take part in the 20-km youth raid prior to the international race.