The 24H reaches its age of majority this year. The marathon event, unique in North America, which encompasses teams of participants in three disciplines – skiing, running and walking –celebrates its 18th birthday in 2018. Back for this year on December 7, 8 and 9, the event promises to be huge.

New records in generosity

Simon St-Arnaud, the executive producer who has run the event since 2001, predicts record participation. “On October 31, we had already taken in our first million,” he states. “This year, we’ll have 400 teams with about 10 participants in each, versus 306 in 2016 and 371 in 2017. The history of the 24H is one of quite dazzling growth and development,” he emphasizes.

The event brings together close to 40,000 donors with about 4,000 participants. This year, the organization has 24 percent more in terms of teams registered and a 17 percent growth in donations with a goal of $4,125,000.

“Last year,” Simon adds, “we gave away three million, one hundred thousand dollars!”

An awesome party

The participants will arrive on Friday for a stunning weekend in a healthy atmosphere of camaraderie. “As we welcome them,” says, Mr. St-Arnaud, “we don’t talk about money. We invite people to have fun. We want to provide them with an event that meets their expectations. Our three events are democratic and accessible to all. It’s not a competition, but happy, festive participation. A friendly challenge.” The three relays will be held between Saturday noon and Sunday noon.

Among the loyal ambassadors, this year’s 24H has Benoit Gagnon, Anne-Marie Withenshaw, Erik Guay, Lianne Laing, Alexandre Bilodeau and Alexandre Dépatie, Dominic Arpin, Frédéric Plante, as well as Philippe Fehmiu, all motivated by the desire to help children.

Marie-Mai, the new ambassador, will open the evening with a dynamite show. Then it will be the second block, with electronic music from Igloofest, followed by the performance of Mélissa Lavergne. What a lineup!

And remision?

“The children remain central to our event,” says Mr. St-Arnaud. “Thanks to the joint efforts of our three charitable foundations — the Fondation Charles Bruneau, the Ottawa Senators Foundation and the Fondation Tremblant – we generally achieve 80 percent remission. There are still 20 percent of cases that are resistant. However, in leukemia, for example, we can get up to 98 percent remission. These are results that warm our hearts.”

Made in…Switzerland!

The 24H Tremblant has its origins in the Charity Formula, created by Jacques Villeneuve in Switzerland in the small village of Villars. “Besides,” Simon notes, “Jacques sponsored us for the first three years.”

A promise kept

Last year, a commitment was announced: the financing of a clinic in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. Thanks to the Fondation Tremblant, it’s a done deal. Open since May, the social paediatrics clinic, the Coeur des Laurentides, which aims to help a disadvantaged clientele, has premises at 10 rue Saint-Antoine. A fine achievement by the 24H.

Feel like participating, having fun and giving?

24htremblant.com