Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues, September 9, 2024 – The third edition of the Raid International Témiscamingue was rich in emotions and twists. The challenges posed by the arrival of a cold dome combined with a strong low-pressure system gave the athletes a tough time. Blown away by their determination, the event organizers look upon these exceptional humans with deep respect.
Promises Of Adventures Kept!
Armed with an unbreakable mental strength, the athletes dived into this adventure, facing the vastness of Témiscamingue’s nature with a thirst to overcome the obstacle-filled course. Nature, unpredictable, presented them with many challenges. The participants had to battle the elements: heavy rain, gusts of wind, and unusually cold temperatures.
In the early morning hours, the team of professionals from Endurance Aventure adjusted the course. Drawing from their expertise in organizing outdoor sporting events, they kept their promise of a unique adventure while ensuring the athletes’ safety. Pre-race meetings allowed the experts to explain the changes made due to the weather and answer any questions.
Despite the extreme conditions, the athletes gathered each morning under the arch, renewing their commitment to fully engage in the adventure they had chosen. To fight the cold, participants warmed up by dancing to the rhythm of drums and traditional Anishinaabeg songs from the Timiskaming First Nation.
Exhausted, soaked to the bone, with mud-splattered faces, the teams crossed the finish line emotional and proud of their victory. After supporting them all weekend, assistants welcomed their teams with relief and joy as they passed under the arch. A lesson in courage and self-overcoming, deserving of respect.
An Exciting Competition
The Finnish duo Lauri Heinara and Lauri Hollo from Northern Adventure Team had one goal: to claim first place, which had been snatched from them last year by Patrick Lussier and Georges Visser from Team Def Leoppard. The Quebecers, who finished Saturday’s course with only a four-minute lead over their closest rivals, were unable to match the flawless performance of their opponents on the final day of the competition. They finished in second place with a time of 10 hours, 13 minutes, and 30 seconds. Mission accomplished for the Finnish team, who dethroned the 2023 champions with a time of 9 hours, 52 minutes, and 40 seconds.
Still in the Men’s Category, the Polish team NonStop Adventure, composed of Marek Wozniczka and Stanislaw Odrobka, secured third place by completing the course in 11 hours, 27 minutes, and 25 seconds.
Olympian Lyne Bessette and her teammate Philippe Côté Jacques from the Bras du Nord/100B7 duo not only won first place in the mixed team’s category, but also finished third overall, with a time of 10 hours, 59 minutes, and 15 seconds. The Val-d’Or duo Du capitaine, formed by Cédric de Marneffe and Noémie Julien, crossed the finish line in 11 hours, 15 minutes, and 35 seconds, taking second place. They beat the Témiscamingue team of Marc Gaudet and Chloé Roberge, Conquérants, who finished with a time of 13 hours, 51 minutes, and 15 seconds.
In the women’s category, Ontario’s Una Hall and American Barbara Niess-May from Team Uterati took the honors with a time of 16 hours, 20 minutes, and 30 seconds, ahead of Cath & Au, who finished with a time of 21 hours, 32 minutes, and 40 seconds. Despite considering canceling their participation due to an injury, Anishinaabe athlete Tamara King and her teammate Émilyse Plante-Pelchat surprised with their performance. Team Bichasaabe, participating in their first raid, completed the podium.
To get all the results, visit the Website or the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Raid International Témiscamingue.
Teamwork and Solidarity
Throughout the weekend, two teams stood out for their sportsmanship, especially on Saturday when they helped Team Uterati, who had capsized and remained in the water for several minutes. During the closing banquet, the organizers recognized and highlighted the women’s team Bichasaabe and the mixed team Suzie Bélanger, Suzie Bélanger courtier immobilier et Dino Caprio inspecteur en bâtiment. To acknowledge their bravery, teamwork, and solidarity, these two teams were awarded the “Sportsmanship” prize, along with a medallion crafted by Anishinaabe artist Keleigh Simpson from the Timiskaming First Nation.
Making Témiscamingue a Premier Nature Adventure Destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts
A 30-minute episode about the 2024 Raid is in production and will be broadcast in spring 2025 on sports channels worldwide (in 150 countries, translated into 16 languages).
“The fabulous landscape of Témiscamingue, combined with a growing enthusiasm for outdoor sports in natural settings, creates the perfect conditions to promote not only exciting competitions but also a welcoming living environment. The footage from the Raid Témiscamingue showcases our territory as a top destination,” confirms Prefect Claire Bolduc.
A Winning Synergy!
Bringing people together and mobilizing, nearly 150 volunteers were involved in this great project. It is also in synergy with the key players in the community that the Raid international Témiscamingue reinvents collaborations each year with local municipalities, organizations, and businesses.
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, highlights the financial support granted for this event, its international reach, and its tourism impact: “As Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (DEC), I am delighted with the Government of Canada’s support for the Raid Témiscamingue. This event celebrates sporting excellence and competitive spirit on the international stage, while also contributing to the vitality of our tourism sector. Congratulations on another successful edition!”
About the Raid International Témiscamingue
The Raid International Témiscamingue is a spectacular race organized by the Société de développement du Témiscamingue, the Témiscamingue MRC, and Endurance Aventure. This endurance race consists of a series of challenges that include trekking, running, cycling, swimming, canoeing, and spectacular rope sections. The third edition took place from September 5 to 8, 2024. During the event, around thirty teams from the region and around the world will compete on a 170 km course in the northern part of the Témiscamingue, between Rémigny and Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues. Approximately one hundred high school students participated in the youth segment today, a 20-kilometer raid that preceded the international race.
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MEDIAS
📁 2024 Digital Media Kit
🎥 Trailer for the 2024 event | 2023 Film
📸 2024 photo albums
🌐 Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Pour information
Diane Léger
Relations médias pour Endurance Aventure
514 893-0981 – media@enduranceaventure.com
Mylène Grenier
Relations médias pour Société de développement du Témiscamingue
819 629-3355, poste 108 – myleneg@lasdt.com
Pour entrevue
Chloé Beaulé-Poitras
Coordonnatrice du Raid Témiscamingue
Société de développement du Témiscamingue
819-629-3355 poste 111 – chloebp@lasdt.com
Jean-Thomas Boily
Cofondateur et directeur des opérations
Endurance Aventure
819 823-2607 – jtboily@enduranceaventure.com
