From September 4 to 7, 2025, this world-class competition will bring together athletes from Quebec, across Canada, and around the globe in an exceptional natural setting—perfect for adventure, challenges, and personal achievement.
Ville-Marie, August 4, 2025—With just one month to go before the launch of the fourth edition of the Raid International Témiscamingue, excitement is running high! From September 4 to 7, 2025, this world-class competition will bring together athletes from Quebec, across Canada, and around the globe in an exceptional natural setting—perfect for adventure, challenges, and personal achievement.
The organizers are proud to unveil the headliners of this edition as well as the key elements of the event. A rich and diverse program blending sport, nature, and culture promises a memorable experience for both participants and spectators.
A sentiment perfectly expressed by Claire Bolduc, Prefect of Témiscamingue MRC: “Each team, along with their assistants, leaves Témiscamingue touched by the warm welcome they received and by the powerful experience they lived on the ground. These shared moments create deep bonds with the land. When they return home, they naturally become ambassadors, carrying a piece of our region with them and a desire to share what they discovered here.”
Featured Teams of the 2025 Raid Témiscamingue
The Raid International Témiscamingue will bring together athletes from various regions of Quebec—including over thirty from Abitibi-Témiscamingue—from across Canada, as well as from abroad. Teams from France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Croatia, the United States, and Belgium will be at the starting line, highlighting the growing global reach of the event.
Among the teams to watch, the much-anticipated return of Brou Aventuras, a Brazilian team made up of Jose Neto and Thiago Elias, stands out. In 2023, they finished third overall. Fuelled by a desire for redemption and unwavering determination, they now have their sights set on the top of the podium.
The Croatian team Adventure Race Croatia, composed of Mateja Alilovic and Igor Dorotic, also promises to be a formidable duo. Both are sports event organizers in Croatia, particularly in adventure racing, and bring a wealth of competition experience that could give them a strategic edge on the demanding course of the Raid Témiscamingue.
A Standout Father-Son Team
While several teams are making their second appearance this year, one duo from Ontario stands out for taking part in the Raid for the third consecutive year. The team Those Johnston Kids, made up of Michael and Lake Johnston, is a father-son Anishinaabe duo driven by a shared passion for adventure racing.
Having competed in the 2023 and 2024 editions, they now aim for a top finish in 2025. Teammates for the past three years, Michael has been passing on not only his experience but also his love for the sport he has practised for many years.
“Lake was the youngest participant to finish the Raid in 2023, at just 15 years old. He’ll only be 17 this year, but the Raid has witnessed his transformation—from a boy into a young man, growing in strength and skills,” Michael shares with pride.
The Raid International Témiscamingue: An Experience That Keeps You Coming Back
One experience is often all it takes to fall in love! Just ask the athletes from Abitibi-Témiscamingue—ten of them will return this year for a second or even third time.
Among them, Geneviève Migneault and Rudy Mercier of Team Farmer Fighters are back, determined to rewrite their story. In 2024, under particularly harsh weather conditions that tested even the most seasoned racers, they were forced to withdraw on the second day due to a lack of dry clothing.
“We’re coming back with a sense of unfinished business, more motivated than ever to cross that finish line on Sunday!” says Geneviève with conviction.
The same determination can be seen in Team Lafrenz’N Gauts, made up of Pascal Lafrenière and Manon Gauthier. A knee injury forced them to pull out last year. This time, their goal is to finish the Raid with a smile on their faces—and they’re doubling down on their training to make sure they reach the end.
What Not to Miss — Plus Something New
The kickoff for this international-scale event will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, during the opening ceremony at the Kebaowek First Nation Memorial Site.
Activities will resume the following morning at Philippe Barrette Park in Témiscaming, with the launch of the Desjardins Youth Raid. Over a hundred high school students will take part, covering a 20 km course designed to introduce them to all aspects of an adventure race. True to tradition, each youth duo will be accompanied by a professional athlete from the international raid, fostering inspiration and mentorship.
New in 2025: the very first Senior Raid! Open to participants aged 60 and over, this new addition enriches the event’s program. Paired with the Desjardins Youth Raid, it encourages intergenerational dialogue and the sharing of experiences, while highlighting the accessibility of the territory for all—regardless of age!
The professional race will begin on Saturday, September 6 at 8 a.m. from the Laniel Marina.
The final stage will start on Sunday, September 7 at 7 a.m. from the Public Dock in Saint-Édouard-de-Fabre, leading the raiders to the finish line in Lorrainville.
About the Raid International Témiscamingue International Raid
The Raid International Témiscamingue is a spectacular race organized by the Témiscamingue Development Corporation, the Témiscamingue MRC, and Endurance Aventure. This stage-based event is part of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), which specializes in adventure racing and brings together the world’s top athletes.
This two-person endurance race combines trekking, swimming, mountain biking, canoeing, and breathtaking rope sections. The 4th edition will take place from September 4 to 7, 2025, bringing together around thirty-two-person teams from the region and around the world to compete on a 160 km course through the southern and central areas of Témiscamingue. In addition, around one hundred high school students will take part in the Youth Raid, a 20 km race designed to introduce them to the spirit of adventure racing.
The Raid International Témiscamingue received three-year financial support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), along with support from the Government of Quebec through Tourisme Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Loisir et Sport Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
