- More than 5,750 participants will take part in
Pentathlon challenges
- Varied festive programming for winter sports fans
- New challenges that offer greater accessibility
- Spokesperson Alex Harvey and
many celebrities to participate in the Corporate Challenge
QUEBEC
CITY, Feb. 14, 2025 /CNW/ - The Sun Life
Pentathlon des neiges, Canada's
largest outdoor winter event, kicks off its 21st season
on the Plains of Abraham from Friday,
February 14 to Sunday, February 23,
2025, focusing on accessibility.
"We are extremely grateful to our partners, volunteers and
participants who contribute each year to the success of the Sun
Life Pentathlon des neiges," said Dominic
Drolet, Director General of the Groupe Pentathlon. "Their
support allows us to offer an unforgettable, accessible event of
superb quality, despite climate challenges. The refrigerated
skating rink guarantees an exceptional skating experience in all
weather conditions and allows us to continue making winter sports
accessible to everyone."
"The 21st Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges is sure to be another
spectacular event. Our employees, customers and partners are highly
motivated as 11 Sun Life teams vie to excel on the Plains of
Abraham," stated Robert Dumas,
President and CEO of Sun Life in Quebec. "I am also pleased to announce the
renewal of our title partnership for the next two years. This event
perfectly aligns with our commitment to build healthy communities.
It inspires us to get moving, have fun and enjoy winter!"
"I am proud to be taking part in the Sun Life Pentathlon des
neiges and to support this unique event that brings together
thousands of winter sports enthusiasts," added Alex Harvey, spokesperson for the Sun Life
Pentathlon des neiges. "This is a tremendous opportunity to promote
an active lifestyle, while giving back to the community and giving
young people the chance to experience the benefits of sport. The
Pentathlon exemplifies the values of perseverance, self-challenge
and pleasure that I hold dear."
Varied programming to suit everyone's taste!
The
Pentathlon features activities that invite families, children,
amateur athletes and high-performance athletes to discover and
enjoy the pleasures of winter. The program includes cycling,
snowshoeing, skating, cross-country skiing and running challenges
that allow participants to take part solo, tandem or in teams of 3
to 5 people.
The first winter challenge of the Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges
is the Night Run, which will take place on the evening of
February 14, 2025, on the Plains of
Abraham, in partnership with the Quebec Winter Carnival, with
routes 1, 5 and 10 kilometres long. It promises to be a
memorable adventure and, who knows, maybe the perfect Valentine's
Day outing!
More new attractions this year
- The Initiation Challenge is now open for solo and tandem
runners. The perfect distance for beginners!
- The Social Inclusion Challenge has been combined with
the Family and Friends Challenge and is free for all
participants.
- The Extra Long Distance Team Challenge, which is THE big
new feature of this 21st season. This challenge is the
biggest endurance event of the Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges, at
nearly 75 km to be covered in all five pentathlon sports.
In addition to founder and Pentathlon spokesperson
Alex Harvey, many public figures will take part in the
Corporate Challenge, including athletes Cindy Ouellet,
Catriona Le May Doan and François Drolet, actors
Patrice Godin and Patrick Hivon, animator and journalist
Frédéric Plante, as well as the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos,
Member of Parliament for Québec, and Mayor of Quebec City,
Bruno Marchand. Other public figures will be involved in other
challenges, including athlete Cendrine Browne and influencer
Lydiane St-Onge (Lydiane autour du monde).
"The Government of Canada is
supporting Québec's Pentathlon des neiges over the next three
years. This event bringing people together is perfect for all those
who love taking up several winter sport challenges, whether they
are professionals or amateurs. The $165,000 in funding from Canada Economic
Development for Quebec Regions (CED) aims to promote the Pentathlon
nationally and internationally," said the Honourable
Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec, Minister of
Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
"The Pentathlon des neiges, a sporting event unique to
Quebec, showcases a number of
winter sports and brings together people who want to challenge
themselves or engage in physical activity in the great outdoors.
I'd like to congratulate everybody who signed up for the event this
year and thank the organization and its volunteers for their
expertise and commitment to physical activity," stated Isabelle Charest, Minister Responsible for
Sports, Recreation and the Outdoors.
"Our government is proud to support the Pentathlon which, for
over twenty years, has brought thousands of athletes to the Plains
of Abraham for friendly and cheerful competition. This large
gathering promotes healthy lifestyles, contributes to the region's
economic vitality and enhances citizens' quality of life. The
Pentathlon adds to the diversified recreational tourism offering
that makes the Capitale-Nationale a premier destination to
experience winter in all its wonder in Quebec," said Jonatan
Julien, Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, Minister
Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region and Member for
Charlesbourg.
"People from Quebec City, families, parents, children,
teens: from tomorrow to February 23, come and get some fresh
air on the Plains! Whether you want to try out a new sport or beat
your personal best, the friendly, supportive atmosphere that reigns
at the Pentathlon des neiges will make it a highlight of your
winter," added Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City.
For full programming details, click here.
For visuals from the 2024 season, click here.
About the Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges
The
Pentathlon des neiges first took place in Lac-Beauport in 2005 and moved to
Quebec City's Plains of Abraham in 2008. This unique event is
sanctioned by Triathlon Quebec and billed as the world's
largest multi-sport winter event. Pentathlon des neiges athletes
compete (solo, tandem, or as a team) in several disciplines —
cycling, running, cross-country skiing, skating and
snowshoeing — without stopping. The Pentathlon des neiges is
organized by Groupe Pentathlon, a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to develop innovative, unifying and high-impact sports
events that stimulate emotions and provide enriching
experiences.
Sun Life in the community
Sun Life is
sustainability-driven, focusing on areas where it can have the
greatest impact. By actively supporting the communities in which
its Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders live and work,
the organization can help build a positive environment for all.
Physical and mental health are at the centre of Sun Life's
philanthropic efforts. We focus on supporting programs and
organizations that strive to empower Canadians to live their
healthiest lives, no matter where they are in their journey.
Sun Life employees and advisors take great pride in
volunteering and giving back to make life brighter for individuals
and families across Canada. Learn more
about Sun Life in the community.
Media contact:
Pentathlon des neiges:
Josée Massicotte / T. 514 388-0169 / C. 514 915-0511 /
joseemassicotte@gmail.com
Sun Life:
To contact Sun Life media relations, please
email medias.quebec@sunlife.com.
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada
