21K de Montréal: the official season kickoff for the city’s running enthusiasts

Ready, set, lace up, Montreal!

The running season officially kicks off on April 26 at Parc Jean-Drapeau with the 21st edition of the 21K de Montréal.

Now organized by Courons MTL, the team behind the Marathon Beneva de Montréal, the 21K de Montréal is the highly anticipated annual event that marks the start of the season.

Courons MTL was created with a clear vision: to make every race a must-attend event for runners worldwide and to unite the community through large-scale gatherings. Founded by a group of entrepreneurs and running enthusiasts, the organization aims to be the leading force in Québec’s running scene.

With a significant increase in participants—growing from 5,000 last year to 7,500 this year—this event is clearly gaining in popularity.

With less than a month to go, all distances—except for The Mile—are sold out, including the half-marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and 1 km. This strong demand demonstrates the excitement of Montrealers for the city’s first major race of the year, welcoming runners of all skill levels.

Courons MTL has big plans for the future! Their goal is to grow the event to 10,000 participants by 2026, expand it to two days, and enhance the festive atmosphere. To kick things off this year, the organization is introducing the first-ever Ciele After-Run—a BBQ that brings the running community together to celebrate the official start of the season.

Along with organizing events such as the 21K de Montréal and the Marathon Beneva de Montréal, Courons MTL plays an active role in the community through a podcast and blog filled with valuable tips and information.

“Courons MTL is proud to organize two of the largest race events in Québec and to have gotten 40,000 runners of all levels to participate in 2025, along with showcasing Montréal’s unique appeal as a running destination,” says Alex Ratthé, executive producer of Courons MTL. “We want to put our expertise to work for the community by creating unique and memorable experiences. And judging by the speed of the registration process this year, I think it is safe to say that Montréalers are eager to emerge from winter hibernation and get outside to run together this year!” 

It’s worth noting that 50 charitable organizations have joined the Charity Challenge as part of the 21K de Montréal, aiming to maximize their fundraising efforts. Their goal for this edition is to raise $800,000.