Track and Cheer: The Ultimate Guide With the STM
Running a marathon is hard work. But catching your favourite runner as many times as possible along the course? That’s an athletic feat in itself!
With the STM, you can follow your runner at different metro stations along the route, bring the noise to cheering zones, and beat them to the finish line.
To help you out, we’ve put together three spectator itineraries based on your level of ambition.
Important: Before heading out, download the COURONS app to track your runner in real time. The times listed are estimates: actual race pace, metro crowds, and walking time can all impact travel time.
Download the COURONS app from the App Store or Google Play
Which Route Should You Choose?
Want to stay on the move and hit multiple stops?
Choose the Grand Tour.
Want to settle in, soak up the atmosphere, and maximize your downtime between sightings?
Choose Laurier.
Want two close sightings with minimal travel?
Choose De Castelnau.
First Stop: Place-d’Armes or Sherbrooke?
Before picking your route, you have your first big choice to make: where do you want to spot your runner for the first time?
OPTION A – Place-d’Armes | Between KM 8 and 9
Want to get an early start and soak in a massive boost of energy right from the get-go? Place-d’Armes is your spot.
Why choose Place-d’Armes?
- Catch your runner early in their race.
- Check out the Maybelline New York and OSM cheering zones.
Cheering zones nearby:
- Maybelline New York
- Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM)
- Griffintown Run Club
- Fasta Pasta Club
- TAK-TIK CF Mascot
- TOUCHÉ – Alouettes Mascot
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
A cheering zone set to the rhythm of the OSM
At KM 9.3, near Place-d’Armes station right in front of City Hall, running meets live music at a special Orchestre symphonique de Montréal cheering zone.
After all, music and running share a lot in common: passion, discipline, rhythm, and pushing your limits. It’s a natural collaboration between the Marathon de Montréal and the OSM, whose musicians are world-class athletes in their own right.
OPTION B – Sherbrooke | KM 11 to 13
Prefer to wait for your runner at a spot where they’ll likely need a major morale boost? Head to Sherbrooke. You’ll be positioned right on the Berri Hill—an iconic stretch of the course where extra cheers will make all the difference.
Why choose Sherbrooke?
- Cheer them on directly on the Berri Hill.
- Access several cheering zones grouped right in the area.
Cheering zones nearby:
- ON
- QUEER CHEER
- OUT RUN CLUB
- XACT
- RUN IN MONTRÉAL
- CAMPUS
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Important: Pick Place-d’Armes OR Sherbrooke. The two spots are too close together to realistically hit both.
OPTION 1 – THE GRAND TOUR
For fans who want to stay moving, track their runner across the 42.2 km course, discover multiple cheering zones, and maximize their chances of spotting their runner.
1. Choose Your First Stop
Start at Place-d’Armes or Sherbrooke. Once your athlete runs past, head toward De Castelnau.
From Place-d’Armes: 25 minutes by metro
From Sherbrooke: 20 minutes by metro
Take the Orange Line to Jean-Talon. From there, walk about 7 minutes to De Castelnau or hop on the Blue Line for one stop.
2. De Castelnau | KM 19
Your second rendezvous with your runner.
Cheering zones nearby:
- KM 19,76
- LES PAS EN FORME
- LES RUNNEUSES
- NALA RUN CLUB
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Once they pass, no need to rush right away. They have about 15 km to cover before reaching the Laurier area. Head to Jean-Talon station, then take the Orange Line to Laurier.
3. Laurier | KM 34 to 35
At this stage in the race, your cheers are going to mean the world to them.
Cheering zone nearby:
- CLUB DE COURSE CCC
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Before heading over, check your runner’s target time if you also plan on seeing them cross the finish line.
From Laurier to Pie-IX (Finish Line), allow about 24 minutes by metro, not including waiting time, station transfers, and walking to the finish village. Meanwhile, your athlete will only have 7 to 8 km left to run.
| Marathon Target Time | Time Remaining After Laurier* | Our Advice |
| 3 h 30 | ~38 min | Skip Laurier and head straight to Pie-IX |
| 4 h | ~44 min | Doable, but tight |
| 4 h 30 | ~49 min | Doable, but tight |
| 5 h | ~55 min | Plenty of time |
| 5 h 30 | ~60 min | Plenty of time |
| 6 h | ~66 min | Plenty of time |
* Estimate based on passing KM 34.5 at a constant pace.
Is your runner fast? You don’t have to stop at Laurier. After De Castelnau, head straight to Pie-IX to take your time and secure a great spot at the finish line.
Are they aiming for 4 h 30 or more? A stop at Laurier becomes much more realistic before heading to Pie-IX.
4. Pie-IX | The Finish Line
Final mission: beat your runner to the finish.
Head over to the Parc Maisonneuve area and the finish line village to welcome them after their 42.2 km journey.
Cheering zones nearby:
- MONTREAL ALOUETTES
OPTION 2 – EXTENDED STOP AT LAURIER
Want to catch your runner multiple times without constantly moving around? Laurier is the spot for you.
1. Choose Your First Stop
Start at Place-d’Armes or Sherbrooke. Once your runner passes, head to Laurier.
From Place-d’Armes: 7 minutes by metro
From Sherbrooke: 3 minutes by metro
2. Laurier | KM 16
Welcome to the heart of the marathon course. The runners will loop back around the KM 34 to 35 mark. Between the two passes, your athlete has about 18.5 km to run.
Cheering zone nearby:
- CLUB DE COURSE CCC
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Depending on their target pace, that gives you roughly:
| Marathon Target Time | Time Between Passes at Laurier |
| 3 h 30 | ~1 h 32 |
| 4 h | ~1 h 45 |
| 4 h 30 | ~1 h 58 |
| 5 h | ~2 h 12 |
| 5 h 30 | ~2 h 25 |
| 6 h | ~2 h 38 |
Take advantage of the downtime to enjoy the atmosphere, cheer on the other runners, and explore the nearby cheering zones.
3. Laurier | KM 34 to 35… or Straight to the Finish Line?
Here’s where you have a decision to make.
You can stay at Laurier to catch your runner a second time, or head out earlier toward Pie-IX to make sure you don’t miss their finish.
From Laurier to Pie-IX, allow about 24 minutes by metro, not including waiting time and walking to the finish village.
| Marathon Target Time | Time Remaining After Laurier* | Our Advice |
| 3 h 30 | ~38 min | Head to Pie-IX before their 2nd pass |
| 4 h | ~44 min | Doable, but tight |
| 4 h 30 | ~49 min | Doable, but tight |
| 5 h | ~55 min | Plenty of time |
| 5 h 30 | ~60 min | Plenty of time |
| 6 h | ~66 min | Plenty of time |
* Estimate based on passing KM 34.5 at a constant pace.
Want to play it safe? After catching them the first time at Laurier, enjoy the cheering zone for a bit, then make your way to Pie-IX without waiting for the second pass.
Is your runner aiming for 5 h or more? You have a much safer window to hang out until their second pass before heading to the finish line.
4. Pie-IX | The Finish Line
Take the Orange Line to Berri-UQAM, then transfer to the Green Line toward Pie-IX.
Cheering zone nearby:
- MONTREAL ALOUETTES
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Your ultimate goal: reach the finish village before your runner!
OPTION 3 – EXTENDED STOP AT DE CASTELNAU
Want two sightings close together with minimal travel? Set your sights on De Castelnau.
1. Choose Your First Stop
Start at Place-d’Armes or Sherbrooke. Once your runner passes, head to De Castelnau.
From Place-d’Armes: 25 minutes by metro
From Sherbrooke: 20 minutes by metro
Take the Orange Line to Jean-Talon. From there, walk about 7 minutes to De Castelnau or take the Blue Line for one stop.
2. De Castelnau | KM 19 and KM 31
Cheering zones nearby:
- KM 19,76
- LES PAS EN FORME
- LES RUNNEUSES
- NALA RUN CLUB
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
This time, you don’t have to move an inch.
The course loops right back to the same spot around KM 31, 12 km later.
| Marathon Target Time | Time Between Passes at De Castelnau |
| 3 h 30 | ~60 min |
| 4 h | ~1 h 08 |
| 4 h 30 | ~1 h 17 |
| 5 h | ~1 h 25 |
| 5 h 30 | ~1 h 34 |
| 6 h | ~1 h 42 |
No need to rush to another station. Just hang out, soak in the vibe, cheer on the other runners, and wait for their return.
3. Pie-IX | The Finish Line
From De Castelnau, take the Blue Line to Jean-Talon, then the Orange Line to Berri-UQAM, and take the Green Line to Pie-IX.
Be sure to build in extra time for transfers, walking, and race-day crowds.
Cheering zone nearby:
- MONTREAL ALOUETTES
A Few Tips Before You Go
Build extra wiggle room into your travel plan. On marathon day, the metro will be exceptionally busy.
📍VIEW THE MAP OF ALL CHEERING ZONES
Buy your transit fare in advance. Skipping the ticket line between stops is one less thing to worry about.
Track your runner with the COURONS app. While target finish times are great for planning your day, tracking their live progress on race day is even better.
Download the COURONS app from the App Store or Google Play
Don’t try to do too much. Know your runner’s target time so you can realistically plan your moves. Two great cheering spots along the course are far better than being stuck between metro stations while your athlete runs by.
Above all: make noise. A lot of noise! Because no matter where you are on the course, your enthusiasm and energy will make all the difference.
Published on 10/02/2026
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