Sports tourism in Canada combines adventure, nature and family experiences

Canada brings together safety, organization, beautiful landscapes and a sports culture aimed at amateur athletes in the most different modalities. Credit: Pixabay There is a way to get to know Canada that goes beyond the traditional travel guide: waking up before the sun rises and transforming a postcard landscape into a starting line. It is called experience tourism, trips organized around a sporting event. Few countries in the world deliver this package as well as Canada. From Quebec to Ontario, passing through the Rocky Mountains in Jasper, the country brings together what every athlete seeks: safety, impeccable organization, landscapes that look like a movie set and a sporting culture that treats amateur athletes with the same care given to professionals. Marathons, Ironmans, gravel races (road cycling), mountain biking and kayaking open up their places every year to people from all continents. Ironman and marathons The province of Québec hosts coveted races such as the Ironman, one of the most traditional and prestigious stages of the world circuit, held annually in the city of Mont Tremblant. The race usually takes place during the Canadian summer, attracting professional and amateur athletes from dozens of countries. In its most recent editions, the competition brought together around 2,000 to 3,000 participants. Further information and registration can be found on the event website: IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant | IRONMAN The prestigious Ironman is held annually in the city of Mont-Tremblant during the Canadian summer. Credit: Ironman 70.3/Disclosure Still in Québec, the Beneva Marathon de Québec transforms the historic walls of Vieux-Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, into a running track. It is the main marathon in Quebec City and one of the most important road running events in eastern Canada. Held annually since 1998, the competition is part of the official Athletics Canada circuit and brings together marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, 5 km and children's races. In the most recent editions, the event brought together more than 10 thousand participants distributed among the different events. More information about the race on the portal: Je Cours Qc The Beneva Marathon de Québec is among the most popular road running events in eastern Canada. Credit: Alex Fraser/CTO Laserox In the province of Ontario, Ironman 70.3 Muskoka is one of the most traditional stages of the Ironman 70.3 circuit in Canada, held annually in the Muskoka region, known for its lakes, forests and challenging terrain. The race follows the official half Ironman format, with 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21.1 km of running, being recognized for its demanding route, especially in the cycling section, with numerous climbs and descents. The event usually brings together around 2 thousand participants. Information and registration are on the website: IRONMAN Triathlon - Races, Training & Stories The capital Toronto hosts the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, with a flat and fast route on the edge of Lake Ontario. Held annually since 1990, the race is certified by World Athletics and Athletics Canada, in addition to being recognized as an official qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The event offers marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.1 km) and 5 km races. In the most recent editions, the competition brought together more than 25 thousand runners from various countries. Further information can be found on the website: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Held since 1990, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Toronto's largest and most prestigious marathon. Credit: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon/Disclosure In the province of Alberta, the Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon is held annually in Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event brings together half marathon, 10 km, 5 km and trail running routes, giving participants the experience of running in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, with views of glaciers, crystal-clear lakes and extensive forests. In addition to the sporting challenge, the event stands out for its strong commitment to environmental preservation and the promotion of sustainable tourism in one of Canada's most emblematic natural regions. Information and registration for this race are on the website: Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon In the Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon, participants have the opportunity to run in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. Credit: Tourism Jasper The Banff/Jasper Relay is a traditional relay race held annually between Banff and Jasper national parks. Teams travel hundreds of kilometers along scenic roads, including sections of the historic Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. The event combines team spirit, physical endurance and direct contact with landscapes of mountains, glaciers, rivers and forests, attracting runners of different levels, being an important relay and sports tourism event in Canada. Information available on the website: Banff Jasper Relay On two wheels In cycling, gravel has become the new favorite among amateur athletes. The biggest symbol of this is Paris to Ancaster, which has been taking place since 1994 between the cities of Paris and Ancaster, in Ontario. It is the oldest and one of the most traditional mixed-surface cycling events in the country. Inspired by the European classic Paris–Roubaix, the competition challenges cyclists on a route that combines paved roads, gravel sections, trails, mud sections and natural obstacles. The race offers different distances for professional and amateur cyclists and, in the most recent editions, brought together more than 2 thousand participants from different regions of Canada and abroad. The official event website is: Paris to Ancaster Bike Race The Paris to Ancaster (P2A) challenges cyclists on a course that combines paved roads, gravel sections and natural obstacles. Credit: Mike Dows Another highlight of the calendar