Montreal Marathon

VILLE DU ROCK p.86

The revamped Montreal Marathon was a huge hit in 2012. With a new organization backing the race, Montreal is continuing its lengthy love affair with the distance – one that dates back to the 1976 Olympic marathon. As of 2012, the race has been incorporated into the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series’ North American roster. Owned by California-based Competitor Group, Inc., Rock ’n’ Roll operates 33 events worldwide, including races in Lisbon, Oslo, New Orleans and Las Vegas.

“Rock ’n’ Roll’s unique formula involves live bands every three to five kilometres along the race route,” explains Jacques Aubin, Corporate Alliance Manager responsible for the Montreal race. “This event always had cachet, but now, with the music, it’s even more popular.” The course is dotted with a variety of different musical acts of various genres – jazz, blues and folk – but the most prominent sounds carrying you through the race is rock, as the series name suggests. Organizers do a good job of booking both up-andcoming acts for each mile of the course in addition to known headlining artists for the big after-party. Last year’s marquee performers included James Di Salvio, the brains behind Canadian dance act Bran Van 3000. Rock ’n’ Roll’s local organizers have also tapped into the vibrant Quebecois music scene to build their line-up with French performers.

Competitor Group developed its Rock ’n’ Roll concept in 1998, with the idea of “making running fun.” The organization believes that music makes