Mélanie DesAutels

Mélanie DesAutels

Elite Canadian Runner | Quebec, Canada

"I’ve been fueled by XACT since 2023. What drew me to the brand is its genuine support of competitive athletes and its trust in long-term development. Whether I’m grinding through hard treadmill sessions, logging long runs at altitude on Kenya’s red dirt roads, or racing a marathon at full intensity, XACT has become a reliable part of my preparation and has helped me continue raising my performance ceiling."

https://www.instagram.com/melaniedesa/?hl=en

Meet Mélanie

Elite Canadian marathoner, Mélanie DesAutels is a two-time winner of the Beneva Montreal Marathon with proven success on the international stage. Her progression has been built on consistency, durability, and a disciplined, high-performance approach to training. Competing at her best requires high training volumes, altitude preparation, and a fueling strategy that can withstand the demands of the marathon.

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About Mélanie

Best race: Los Angeles Marathon (March 2024) - not only because it was (and remains) a PB (2:42:22), but because I managed to show up ready to deliver despite a few complications during the taper. I stayed strong and brave during the race and finished 8th among the women amid an international field. It’s a race that reminds me of the importance of never giving up, even if things don’t always go perfectly!
Favorite meal before a race: I don’t have a specific meal for the evening before a race, but I do try to keep things simple with lots of easy carbs, while also limiting dairy - spaghetti bolognese is often a sure bet. Come race morning, I always prepare either a bagel + banana or overnight oats in which I’ll mix peanut butter and some almonds.
Favorite spots to train: For easy runs, I love the gravel roads and mountain trails in my new hometown, Orford. For speedwork and specific pacing sessions, I’ll head to the outdoor track in Magog or a flatter cycling path, such as l’Estriade between Bromont and Waterloo.
Fun fact about Mélanie: Another passion of mine (and my husband’s!) is multi-day trekking - I’ve crossed England (West to East Coast) twice, completed the Via Alpina in Switzerland (also twice), hiked the King Ludwig’s Way in Bavaria and also did some high-altitude trekking in Nepal over the Tashi Labsta (5780 m) and Renjo La (5360 m) passes.