LA CLASSIQUE D'ATHLETISME DE MONTRÉAL 2025
EIGHT NEW MEET RECORDS AT LA CLASSIQUE D'ATHLÉTISME DE MONTRÉAL
​Montréal, August 7th 2025
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The 7th edition of La Classique d'Athlétisme de Montréal, held Wednesday evening at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, once again captivated the city’s athletics fans. Eight meet records were broken.
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Women’s 800 m
Just three days after winning the national title in Ottawa, Canadian Maeliss Trapeau set a new meet record with a time of 2:01.63—just one hundredth of a second ahead of Tiaya Shelby of the United States.
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Men’s 800 m
Puerto Rico’s Ryan Sanchez came close to the world standard (1:44.50) with a personal best of 1:44.73, significantly boosting his chances of qualifying for the World Championships. He edged out young Frenchman Elie Nayrand (1:46.07), currently training with Saint-Laurent Sélect.
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Men’s 1500 m
Arguably the performance of the night. Ontario’s Foster Malleck won a thrilling race ahead of Canadian champion Max Davies of Guelph. With a time of 3:32.38, Malleck posted the second-fastest Canadian time ever, just 0.67 seconds shy of the national record. He shattered the previous meet record of 3:37.11, set by Charles Philibert-Thiboutot in 2021.
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2000 m Steeplechase
After leading until the final lap, Québec’s Jean-Simon Desgagnés was overtaken by Puerto Rico’s Victor Ortiz Rivera, who finished strong with a time of 5:21.98—the second-best time in the world over this rarely run distance for 3000 m steeple specialists. Desgagnés, Canada’s national 3000 m steeple champion, placed 3rd with an excellent 5:24.55.
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The four other meet records set Wednesday night came from Ghana’s Joseph Amoah, who won the 200 m in 20.76 seconds; Australia’s Amy Cashin, who clocked 6:27.86 in the women’s 2000 m steeple; and Montréal’s Marguerite Lorenzo, who cleared 1.83 m in the high jump—bettering the previous mark by one centimetre. In the women's pole vault, Canadian champion Jennifer Elizarov soared over the bar at 4,36 metres, to improve on Alysha Newman's previous meet record by one centimetre.
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The success of an event like La Classique d'Athlétisme de Montréal relies entirely on the hard work of volunteers and officials, as well as the support of private and public sponsors and partners. Special thanks go to Mr. Gilles Labre, founding president of Boutique Courir, whose invaluable support has been a constant since the inaugural edition in 2018.
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We also extend our gratitude to Athletics Canada, Ville de Montréal, Athlétisme Québec, Fondation Philippe Laheurte, Secret Gourmand, Marc Angelo Traiteur, Courons Montréal, St-Hubert Express Saint-Laurent, Boutique Endurance, Pub L’Île Noire, Cross des Couleurs, Government of Québec, and the Saint-Laurent Sélect Track & Field Club.
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La Classique d'Athlétisme de Montréal is a non-profit organization whose mission is to host a national and international level athletics meet to support the development of track and field in Québec.
LA CLASSIQUE D'ATHLÉTISME DE MONTRÉAL 2025,
THE REBOUND AFTER THE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Montreal, June 10, 2025
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La Classique d'Athlétisme de Montréal, returning for its 7th edition, will once again serve as the famous post-Canadian Championships rebound. Indeed, the Classique is back this year on Wednesday, August 6, just three days after the conclusion of the Canadian Para, U20, and Senior Championships, held in Ottawa from July 30 to August 3.
As is often the case, once the stakes and pressure of the championships subside, Canadian and international athletes will head to the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in search of their season’s best performance, a personal record, and valuable qualification points ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
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Sanctioned as a Category C meet and listed on the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze, the Classic will once again offer substantial prize money and performance bonuses. Competition records, increasingly difficult to beat, are also rewarded.
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Let’s recall a few highlights from the most recent edition, held on June 21, 2024.
No fewer than 85 Canadian athletes from outside Quebec registered, representing 19.5% of all participants. We also had 59 entries from athletes outside Canada, accounting for 13.5% of participants from 23 different countries.
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Finally, thirteen (13) athletes who reached the podium at the Classique went on to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
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The new meet director, Martin Angel, and the organizing team of the Saint-Laurent Sélect club look forward to welcoming you on August 6 — whether as a spectator or even as a volunteer if you feel inclined. Another wonderful event not to be missed for high-level track and field fans.
LA CLASSIQUE D'ATHLETISME DE MONTRÉAL 2025, AUGUST 6th 2025, PRESENTED BY BOUTIQUE COURIR
A Loyal Partnership That Makes All the Difference
It is truly a privilege to be able to count on such passionate and dedicated partners.
We are therefore very pleased to announce the return of Boutique Courir as the presenting sponsor of the Montréal Athletics Classic, for the sixth consecutive year.
Thanks to the generosity and unwavering support of co-owners Gilles Labre and Daniel Beaupré, the Classic continues its mission: to promote athletics in Québec, Canada, and beyond. Their commitment to local sport is simply exemplary.
With over 40 years of presence in Montréal and Longueuil, Boutique Courir has long been a strong ally to local athletes. Their support will once again take concrete form on August 6, through the Elite events bursary program and valuable assistance to our volunteers.
On behalf of the organizing committee, the athletes, and the entire team:
THANK YOU Boutique Courir for believing in us, standing by our side, and helping move athletics forward with heart and conviction.
2024 EDITION OF LA CLASSIQUE, FRIDAY JUNE 21 2024
Montréal, 4 march 2024 - It is a great pleasure for us to announce the renewal of Boutique Courir as official presenter of La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal for a fifth consecutive edition. Boutique Courir's commitment to excellence in the Québec athletics community is unique. The unwavering support of our friends Gilles Labre and Daniel Beaupré, business owners, allows La Classique to write new pages of history for track & field in Québec and Canada. With its Montréal and Longueuil branches, Boutique Courir is recognized for more than 40 years for its support to our local athletes. Once again, on June 21 2024, Boutique Courir will offer a top level support in our prize money program for the Elite and Premium events and volunteer support.
On behalf of our organizing committee, volunteers and athletes, a big thanks to Boutique Courir.
THE 2023 MONTREAL ATHLETICS CLASSIC:
A CELEBRATION OF ATHLETICS RICH IN EXPLOITS ON QUEBEC SOIL
By Arnaud Francioni (Communications and Marketing Coordinator) and
Félix-Antoine Lapointe (Head Coach of the Quebec Teams)
Montreal, June 30, 2023 - The Montreal Track and Field Classic once again lived up to expectations this year! A host of international and local athletes gathered for a rich and exciting event. It was also an opportunity for many athletes' loved ones to admire them at home. Between a great atmosphere and high-caliber performances, it was a true celebration of athletics that we were able to witness this Thursday, June 29. Here's a quick look at the highlights of this event:
We can't start without obviously mentioning Simone Plourde's (CSLS) new Quebec record in the 1500m, who continues to achieve new feats. After first beating the Quebec record set by Mélanie Choinière in 1996 last May, Simone pushed the limit of her own record twice in less than two months. During the event, the athlete, who competes mainly in the United States, pushed the limit in her province by achieving a first-place finish and a new Quebec record of 4:06.86! Note that Simone had to run in the smaller shoes of one of her track colleagues due to a luggage mix-up during her flight to Montreal!
In the other middle-distance events, Quebecer Jean-Simon Desgagnés (CAUL) took the lead in the 1500m in 3:38.50, setting the 4th best time for Quebecers of all time with this performance. It should also be noted that young Émile Toupin (ZENX) took fourth place in 3:40.22 in his first year as a senior, making his entry into the top 10 in Quebec for this distance at just twenty years old!
In the 800m, it was also a Quebecer, Zakary Mama-Yari (CSLS), who rose to first place on the podium in 1:48.41 in an extremely strong field, notably welcoming the holder of the Quebec 1500m record for men, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (CAUL).
Also worth noting among the juveniles was the excellent performance of Robin Lefebvre (PLUS) who set a new QC U18 record in the 800m in 1:52.13.
In the competition events, another athlete who pushed the limits was Ontario athlete Sarah Mitton (SISU Throws Club) in the shot put. The 2022 Canadian champion and 4th-place finisher at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon set a new meet record with a stratospheric throw of 19.15m, improving on her own La Classique record (18.82m) set in 2021.
In the pole vault events, it was the silver medalist in the decathlon at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022, Pierce LePage (ZIND) who was able to secure first place with a bar cleared at 5.20 meters, his best result since 2021! At the Quebec level, Édouard Lavoie Beaulieu, a decathlon specialist, caused a surprise by taking 2nd place in the pole vault by clearing the 5.00m mark for the first time in his career.
In the sprint events, Pierce LePage also dominated the event and was able to secure first place in the 110m hurdles in 14.04.
Also noteworthy at the Quebec level is the performance of Kimberly Hyacinthe (PLUS), 3rd in the 400m event in 52.84 in a very strong line-up and who posted her best time of the season! Audrey Leduc (GATI) also stood out by posting a very fine third place in 11.67 in a very high-level women's 100m which came down to the wire!
In addition to all these great results, the Montreal Athletics Classic also benefited from events introducing athletics to younger people with an 8 x 50m activity but also the ON community 4 x 400m relay accessible to all and allowing them to discover the pleasures of the discipline in a very suitable setting. This meeting is the culmination of several months of effort and commitment from many partners such as Boutique Courir and ON Running Canada to make this meeting a must-see in athletics!
Stand for Ukraine!
La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal donates 1800$ for support to Montreal's Ukrainian refugees
Montreal September 15, 2023 - For a second consecutive year, la
Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal supports the cause of Montreal's
Ukrainian refugees. With the growing number of spectators who
attended the Classic on June 29, we are proud to donate $1,800
for the cause of the St. Sophie Orthodox Cathedral of Montréal. We
handed over the donation today during our visit at the refugee aid
center in the Rosemont district of Montreal. Despite the fact that the
invasion and war in Ukraine has been going on for 19 months, the
Ukrainian community still needs support. The St. Sophie Church
continues to work tirelessly to help new refugees who continue to
arrive in Montréal and Québec.
Thanks to Mr. Simon Kouklewsky who welcomed us and accepted our
donation on behalf of the Cathedral volunteers.
YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT THE ATHLETES BY BECOMING A VOLUNTEER AT LA CLASSIQUE
CONTACT: lucie.ruffin@gmail.com
Six new meet records at La Classique 2022
Montreal, June 5, 2022 - The fourth edition of La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal was once again the scene of several high-level performances. Even with attractive performance bonuses, competition records are increasingly difficult to beat. We nevertheless had the pleasure of seeing six new meet records and several interesting performances by Québec athletes. The men's 100 metres field had great depth and it was Usheoritse Itsekiri from Nigeria, a Tokyo 2021 semi-finalist, who dominated the final of La Classique in 10.09 seconds. Visibly ready for the high level and holder of a personal best of 10.02 seconds, Usheoritse pursues his studies in engineering at the University of Regina.
Another athlete from Saskatchewan achieved quite a feat in the women's 100 meters hurdles: Michelle Harrison first clocked 12.94 seconds in the B final, then did even better in the main final by equaling her personal best at 12.89 seconds, subtracting 32 hundredths of a second from the mark held by Jade Barber (13.21) since 2018. A third La Classique record was smashed by American Trevor Bassitt in the 400m hurdles. Fresh off the NCAA Division II title championships with a time of 48.98, Bassitt began his post-college career with an effort of 49.84 in Montréal. The somewhat windy conditions suggest that he could do much better during the season.
Alex Dupont had also just arrived from Europe and despite the widespread doubts about the speed of the Claude-Robillard track for wheelchairs, Dupont crossed the 800 meters finish line in 1:40.34, thus lowering Frenchmen Julien Casoli's mark of 1:42.40. Two other competition marks
were achieved in the pole vault. In the women's competition
Canadian record holder Alysha Newman, added to the list
of competitors 72 hours before the competition, leaped
4.35 meters before stopping when the bar was raised at
4.50 meters. On the men's side, Nathan Filipek and Daniel
Gleason cleared 5.30 meters to better the previous record
(5.25m) and it was finally Filipek who was declared winner
after counting attempts.
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The Québec athletes, rarely confronted with such a level of
competition at home, responded well. Audrey Leduc, from
the Gatineau athletics club, caused a nice surprise, winning
the women's 100 metres final in 11.36, clocked with a light
favorable wind. Leduc has shown that she belongs with the
Canadian sprint elite and a victory like this one at the
Classic could inspire her with great confidence for the rest of the season.
In the middle distance events, Simone Plourde (Saint-Laurent Sélect) and Thomas Fafard (C.A. de l'Université Laval) won their 1500 metres, Plourde with a personal best of 4:15.53 and Fafard in 3:42.01. Several other Quebec athletes took advantage of this rare opportunity offered to improve their personal bests. A complete report of the competition, signed Félix-Antoine Lapointe, has been published on the FQA website.
La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal, organized in cooperation with Club d'athlétisme Saint-Laurent Seélect, has once again fulfilled its promises for the development of Québec and Canadian athletics. Despite major logistical pitfalls, we are thinking here of the renovation of the stands of the Complexe and the complete closure of the esplanade, as well as an early date on the calendar, we can congratulate the entire volunteer team for an excellent competition.
See you next year!
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Busy night for Aiyanna Stiverne, winning the women's Elite 4000m iin 53.39 sec, then coming 2nd in the 200m in 23.72 sec.
Photo Antoine Saito
Sixteen meet records, 1 national record, two olympic qualifcations, mission accomplished!
Montréal, June 29 2021 - Sixteen competition records, two automatic Olympic standards (Crystal Emmanuel 11.11 in the 100m and Regan Yee 9:27.54 in the 3000m steeplechase), a Canadian record in the women's 3000m steeplechase (Regan Yee), and four others qualified (Alicia Brown, 4x400m relay; Alycia Butterworth, 3000m steeplechase; Madeleine Kelly, 800m; Noelle Montcalm, 400m hurdles). We can say "mission accomplished" and a big thank you to the officials and volunteers who contributed to the success of La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal 2021.
In addition to these competition records and tremendous performances by the athletes, the organizing committee is proud to have been chosen as the stadium competition par excellence at the FQA Gala Athlètas in November 2021. Thanks to our devoted team of volunteers supervised by the Club d'athlétisme Saint-Laurent Sélect.
The Montreal Athletics Classic was also the best Canadian competition in the World Athletics world rankings for overall quality of results. At the end of 2021, the Classic was indeed ranked 94th in the world by the international federation's "competition performance rankings".
Carried out in the context of a pandemic, the committee was able to put in place safe sanitary conditions for all participants. Despite the still complex pandemic situation, we are optimistic that the Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal will continue to progress over the next few years.
World Athletics points at stake
January 29, 2022 - Classified in category D by World Athletics, the 2022 Montreal Athletics Classic will allow participating athletes to accumulate valuable points for their world ranking and qualification for the World Athletics World Championships. Here are the score tables by rank for the events contested during the Classic.
Ville de Montréal, a vital partner
March 1, 2023 - We are pleased to announce that Ville de Montréal will support the 2023 edition of La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal. La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal will benefit from a substantial financial support through the city's Sports Events funding program. We are proud to be part of the Montréal sporting scene, bringing athletes from Canada, USA and hopefully more countries in the future.
This partnership with Ville de Montréal also includes a preferential use of the outstanding Claude-Robillard athletics complex for the event.
La Fondation Philippe-Laheurte supports high performance at La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal
March 1, 2022 - As it has done in the past 28 years, the Philippe-Laheurte Foundation will continue to support high performance at the Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal. Since its inception after the tragic death of Québec track star Philippe Laheurte in 1991, the Foundation has supported athletes and events with bursaries and funding for high performance meets and training camps of Québec's most promising athletes.
Mr. Benoit Leduc, president of the Foundation, former coach to Philippe and staff coach at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games and many World Cross country championship teams, hopes the lasting involvement of the foundation will help local athletes reach their goals.
''In the past nine years, the Philippe-Laheurte Foundation has supported FQA's projects such as the Québec/Ontario Midget indoor dual meet, Québec provincial team at National cross-country championships and the Québec athletes annual European tours, said Mr. Leduc. We are here for the athletes. Our support for La Classique is totally in line with our mission''.
Action Sport Physio provides sports therapy services for Classique competitors
March 1, 2022 - We are pleased to have Action Sport Physio as one of our athlete services partner. Action Sport Physio will provide sports therapy services for our Elite athletes competing at the Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal. Action Sport Physio is Québec's largest network of physiotherapy and sports medicine clinics.