On Sunday, thousands of runners will hit the city’s soil for the 32nd edition of the Montreal Marathon Beneva. The marathon and half-marathon events bring their share of street closures, from bank to bank. Here’s a quick guide to enjoying, crossing or avoiding the sporting event.
The first waves of runners will start at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, at habitat 67 on Île Sainte-Hélène. But it is at 6:45 a.m. that most of the streets that will be closed for the occasion will be closed. The streets will be blocked when the runners pass by, and at the latest they will be freed around 3:20 p.m.
For car travel, it is therefore advisable to leave before 6 a.m. and return after 3:45 p.m. Despite detours on certain lines, the marathon organization recommends the use of public transport. For the occasion, Bixi bikes will also be accessible free of charge on Sunday, provided you have an account on the application.
Montreal cut in two
This year, the metropolis is once again split in two due to the runners’ route. It is still possible to travel by car between the two “sections” of the island, notably via Highway 40, Rue des Carrières and Avenue Viger Est.
Following the start, marathon runners will cross the Concorde Bridge to reach the island of Montreal, which they will first travel from the southeast, to Sainte-Hélène Island, to the southwest, to the Rivière des Prairies, running in particular on Notre-Dame Boulevard, Saint-Joseph Boulevard and Saint-Laurent Boulevard along its entire length. All while moving around La Fontaine Park and the Berri-UQAM, Sherbrooke and Laurier metro stations.
Following a loop via Gouin Boulevard, the marathon runners will then take Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the opposite direction to reach Beaubien Street and Saint-Hubert Street to bypass the Rosemont metro station and finally take Saint-Joseph Boulevard, this time heading east towards the finish at Maisonneuve Park.
During the final moments of the race, the runners will run along Maisonneuve Park via Rosemont Boulevard and Viau Street to finish on Sherbrooke Boulevard where the finish line will await them. Medal presentations, refreshments and celebrations of all kinds await participants and observers.
The half-marathon runners will take a similar route, but instead of going to the Rivière des Prairies, they will go directly to the finish via Boulevard Saint-Joseph.
If you want to watch the departure and arrival, by public transport, just take the metro from Jean-Drapeau station to Viau station. By car, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge is always accessible to leave Sainte-Hélène Island.
Under the Saturday sun, the festivities were already beginning. The arrival of Maisonneuve Park and its surroundings hosted the one, five and 10 kilometre events. Road disruptions were limited to this quadrilateral and the neighbouring Joseph-Paré and Louisiana parks.