On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Laval Firefighters' Race to benefit the Fondation des pompiers du Québec. Never participated before? Get your running shoes on!

This is a very special event. But why? You have to experience it to realize how magical it is. May I challenge you? There are courses for everyone: 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km, 10 km, 21.1 km and 42.2 km.

Since 2013, it's been my family's sporting event par excellence. Every year, more than fifteen members of my tribe take part. And every time, it's a memorable experience.

Dare to do it yourself! Do it for yourself, for your health, for your happiness. There's no need to run fast. No matter how fast you run, you'll always be faster than the people sitting on the couch. By the way, walkers are welcome! My father, who's 72, isn't the greatest sportsman, but he's a dad who likes to move around with his little ones. He alternates between running and walking. Can I tell you how proud I am of him?

I have to admit that the whole family is looking forward to the big day. Several of my nephews and nieces have even done their first race in a stroller, including my nephew Jackson. Aged 8, he is proud to say that this will be his fifth participation in the Race this year.

A unifying activity, a festive atmosphere

This event is a unifying activity. The experience is extraordinary. During the trot, it's trippy. You feel alive. We cheer each other on. We smile. We sweat. And when we cross the finish line and are handed our medal, a feeling of pride overcomes us. And like every year, we'll be talking about it for the next 12 months!

The atmosphere is, I might add, most pleasant as we arrive at the heart of the Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval.

Come and meet our firefighters!

The Grande Fête des pompiers will take place this year on May 31 and June 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the outdoor site of the Collège Montmorencythe brand-new site of the two popular gatherings.

On the program:

An impressive parade of antique fire trucks.
Several prevention information booths.
Sensational demonstrations of firefighters in action, including a burning vehicle, a rooftop rescue, examples of house door opening, cooking fires and extrication.
Fun shows featuring theater, circus, magic and music.
On-site activities include walkabouts and performances, inflatable games for the little ones and face-painting stations.
A festive atmosphere for young and old alike.

See complete program here.

A word of advice, however. For the most positive experience, use public or alternative means of transportation to get around. Carpooling, public transit (bus and metro), biking and walking - the options are endless! You can even rent a BIXI as Laval is now part of the BIXI bike-sharing network. There are 26 stations on the island, where 80 electric-assist bikes and 215 regular bikes are available for hire.

Give meaning to your strides

When you take part in the Firefighters' Run, you'll be running or walking for a good cause: all proceeds go to the Fondation des pompiers du Québec, the only foundation dedicated to raising funds for burn victims in Quebec. Proceeds from the event will help finance the purchase of specialized equipment, research, the direct assistance fund for victims and their families, and a summer camp for severely burned children.

For those who wish to accomplish an additional mission, it is possible to take part in the rank program. Each participant who collects a minimum of $75 is eligible to obtain the rank of officer.

See you at the starting line? Every achievement begins with the decision to try.

Your registration includes :

A challenge to achieve
A participation medal
An official T-shirt (for entries of 5 km or more)
A bib
A results platform
A snack and post-race party
A Facebook event to share your challenge, publish your photos, videos and testimonials. #firefightercourse
An incredible experience, a guard of honour formed by firefighters at the finish line, and much more!

Interested in this event? Register nowas places are limited.

On the road to a new passion

Perhaps this experience will be the start of a new passion that will enable you to discover our beautiful city on the run. You'll be able to follow routes that take you past places of interest such as Sainte-Rose-de-Lima churchchurch, the Château Taillefer Lafon (the first vineyard in Quebec authorized to use the Château designation) or the Nature Center one of the region's most beautiful urban parks. And when you feel like it, you can take up the challenge of discovering the 21 milestones of the River Rally.

#LavalCMaintenant