Race guide
Ultra-Trail Harricana 2027: Dates, Distances and Courses in Charlevoix
by Stéphane ·
The short version: the 16th Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (UTHC) runs from Friday, September 10 to Sunday, September 12, 2027, around La Malbaie in Quebec’s Charlevoix region. The main site is Mont Grand-Fonds, 15 minutes from downtown La Malbaie and about a 4.5-hour drive from Montreal. Races range from 5 km to 125 km, and 2027 registration runs through Eventbrite, from the official website.
Leaving from Montreal? Our Harricana 2027 package will be online soon, with accommodation and your bib included, from 10 km to 80 km. In the meantime: drop us a line to be notified or see the getaway.
Jean-Baptiste and Stéphane ran the 30 km in September 2026. Our take: the elevation may look modest for a 30 km, but the course is technical, the run through the woods is stunning, and it’s still a demanding trail race. Here’s the guide we wish we’d read before signing up.
Good to know: the organizer has announced the 2027 dates, but not the detailed program yet. The distances, elevation and start times below are from the 2026 edition, as published on ultratrailharricana.com. We’ll update this guide as soon as the 2027 program is out.
The distances: which one to pick?
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain | Time limit | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTHC 125 | 124.1 km | 4,028 m | 29 h | point to point |
| UTHC 80 | 78.2 km | 2,010 m | 15 h 25 | point to point |
| UTHC 65 | 63.1 km | 1,739 m | 12 h 27 | point to point |
| UTHC 60 (invitation only) | 60.9 km | 2,289 m | 13 h 28 | point to point |
| UTHC 42 Classique | 42.2 km | 1,131 m | 8 h 26 | point to point |
| UTHC 42 Saint-Siméon | 42 km | 1,464 m | 8 h 37 | point to point |
| Trail 30 km | 30 km | 959 m | 6 h 01 | loop |
| 20 km Night Duo | 20.6 km | 631 m | 4 h 27 | loop |
| Trail 20 km | 20.6 km | 631 m | 4 h 07 | loop |
| Trail 10 km | 9.77 km | 230 m | 2 h 02 | loop |
| Trail 5 km | 5 km | — | — | loop |
There are also youth races of 1.5 km, 1 km and 500 m.
New to trail running? The 10 km and 20 km are a great way in. The 20 km also comes as a night duo, on Saturday evening.
Already running trails? The 30 km is a real step up. Don’t judge it by its elevation: the terrain is what makes it tough.
Aiming for an ultra? The 65 km and 80 km start in Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. The 125 km requires qualifying races (Western States 100, ITRA 5 or UTMB INDEX, according to the organizer).
The weekend schedule (2026 edition)
Friday
- Bib pickup at Mont Grand-Fonds, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. (except the 125 km)
- 1 p.m.: 125 km start, from Zec des Martres
- 2 p.m.: 60 km start, from Zec des Martres
- 6 p.m.: shakeout run at Mont Grand-Fonds
Saturday
- 6 a.m.: 80 km start, from Parc national des Hautes-Gorges
- 6:30 to 8 a.m.: 65 km starts, in three waves
- 7 a.m.: 42 km Classique start, finishing at Mont Grand-Fonds
- 9 a.m.: 30 km start at Mont Grand-Fonds, in three waves
- 6 p.m.: 20 km Night Duo start
Sunday
- 7 a.m.: 42 km Saint-Siméon start, from Saint-Siméon
- 9 a.m.: 10 km start; 9:30 a.m.: 20 km start; 10 a.m.: 5 km start
- Then the youth races, at Mont Grand-Fonds
The 30 km has same-day bib pickup. For the 42 km Saint-Siméon, however, bibs must be picked up the day before.
Getting there and getting around
La Malbaie is about a 4.5-hour drive from Montreal and 2 hours from Quebec City. The organizer strongly recommends having a car. On site, free shuttles, no booking needed, connect downtown La Malbaie, Clermont, the Chutes Fraser campground and Mont Grand-Fonds.
Registration and mandatory gear
2027 registration is online, on Eventbrite, from ultratrailharricana.com. The opening date hasn’t been announced yet.
Mandatory gear depends on the distance: one list for races of 42 km and up, another for the shorter ones. Runners on the 42 km and longer also fill out a commitment form at gear check. The exact list is on the official “Matériel obligatoire et recommandé” page: check it before you pack.
Running Harricana 2027 with The Run Away
If you’d rather just show up and run, that’s what we’re preparing. Our Ultra-Trail Harricana 2027 getaway runs September 10–12, 2027:
- your bib is included, on the distance of your choice from 10 km to 80 km (the 125 km isn’t covered);
- your accommodation is included;
- we handle the logistics, in a small group.
The package will be online soon: full details and pricing will be published when bookings open. To hear about it first, drop us a line.
FAQ
When is the Ultra-Trail Harricana 2027?
From Friday, September 10 to Sunday, September 12, 2027, around La Malbaie in Charlevoix. It’s the 16th edition.
Which distance should I pick for a first trail race at Harricana?
The 10 km or the 20 km. The 30 km suits you better if you already run trails: the elevation is moderate, but the terrain is technical.
Where does the Ultra-Trail Harricana start?
The main site is Mont Grand-Fonds, near La Malbaie: the 5 km to 30 km races loop from there. Longer races start elsewhere: Zec des Martres (125 km and 60 km), Parc national des Hautes-Gorges (80 km and 65 km) or Saint-Siméon (42 km Saint-Siméon).
What’s included in The Run Away getaway?
Accommodation and your bib, on the distance of your choice from 10 km to 80 km. The 125 km bib isn’t included. The full package will be online soon.
Not sure which getaway is yours?
Tell us where you want to run and what pace you are comfortable with — we will point you to the right weekend.