Jérôme Bresson and Caroline Livesey are victorious at Canada Man/Woman Extreme Triathlon

The third edition of Canada Man/Woman Extreme Triathlon

Cam Mitchell July 8, 2019

On July 7, 2019, Jérôme Bresson and Caroline Livesey were the first to reach the observatory in Lac-Megantic to win the third edition of the CANADA MAN/WOMAN EXTREME TRIATHLON.

On the men’s side, Bresson came off the 180K bike in third position – roughly 20 minutes back from the leader. But the Sherbrooke native used his experience from last year (defending champion) to claw back the time and win his second Canada Man. He finished less than one minute in front of Sylvain Lafrance in second place. Jordan Bryden, who was in the lead at the end of the 180K bike, experienced a few problems along the running course and was forced to slow down, paving the way for Bresson and Lafrance. In his first appearance at Canada Man, Byrden finished 10 minutes after the Lafrance.

In the women’s race, Caroline Livesey finished just in front of Lyne Bessette, the defending champion. Livesey took the lead from the start and held it for much of the day. It wasn’t until the entrance of Parc Mont-Mégantic that she showed signs of fatigue. On this section of the course, Livesey’s lead evaporated in the afternoon sun as Bessette charged up the trails. Unfortunately for Bessette, it wasn’t quite enough. Livesey crossed the finish arch 10 seconds ahead of Bessette. Joannie Desroches finished third for the second straight year.

What is Canada Man/Woman Extreme Triathlon?

For those unfamiliar with Canada Man/Woman, it is an event that takes place over an Ironman distance, but on “extreme terrain.” The 3.8K swim takes place in Lac-Mégantic at 4:30 in the morning. The swim is followed by a 180K bike with over 2,500m of climbing. You then finish it off with a 42K run through the trails, climbing over 1,500 m to the summit of Mont-Mégantic.

Canada Man/Woman is one of twelve races that make up the XTri world tour – Norseman, Celtman, Swissman, Swedeman, Jánošík, Icon, Hispaman, Patagonman, Manx, Blacklake, and Fodaxman.

This year, 180 athletes took part in the third edition of the race. Over the course of the race weekend, there’s also an extreme sprint triathlon. On the men’s side, Philippe Tremblay won for the second consecutive year. Mireille Rodrigue won the women’s division. Roughly 400 athletes took part in the sprint distance race.

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