Marathon du Medoc

This race, while difficult to find the actual date registration opens (it fills up quickly) and difficult to actually register (especially if you lack knowing French as first or second language) is well worth all the effort! The party begins at packet pickup then blends into a pasta party that night. We didn't do the pasta party, but my understanding is.... not sure how those people made it to the start line the next morning! Its ends late and the wine never seemed to run dry. The day of the race is a spectacle so arrive extra early. The course is like nothing else (wine, cheese, beer, fruit, steak, oysters.. the list goes on) and the spectators are super! The after party and finisher swag is beyond anything I've ever received. There is a 10k walk the next day (which we also didn't do), but apparently you walk several of the chateaux visited on the marathon and drink even more wine and eat even more cheese. Seriously what is there NOT to love about all of this??? Except the fact you have to wait an entire year to do it again :-(

Most marathons are serious affairs. You are either doing your first and nervous as hell, or you are aiming for a PB so got your game face on. Medoc is not serious in that it's fancy dress and they hand out wine at the drink stations. What's not to like about that! Yes you still have to run 42.2 Km but you can run at a casual pace, wander around for a bit at the drink stations and just enjoy yourself. Along with the classic races, this really does belong on the 'must run' list. Tips: - pick a costume that allows you to actually run, or be prepared to take 5+ hours. - Consider a costume that you can (partially) discard. Lots of people do this, so don't worry. - It can get hot, you should wear a hat and sun protection. I've done serious races and not serious, and not serious is way better!

Beautiful course through vineyards heavy with fruit, past chateaus, on country roads and paths, through small towns with 90 percent of the 8500 runners in costume. And at leat 20 chateaus serving wine, numerous bands, good food (including raw oysters) and pretty good crowds for a rural location. Well organized with aeriel acrobatic entertainment and music at the start and good swag: shirt, boxed bottle of wine, medal and backpack. Logistics can be a bit challenging for those not on tours, but a 5 euro roundtrip bus from the center of Bordeaux to Pauillac was easy way to travel on race day. Packet pickup the day prior may be more difficult without a car if you are not on a tour. This is definitely a bucket list event especially if you are fond of running and wine and want to combine the two. Just remember - it is still a marathon.