Lots of reviews cover the wine stops but not so many describe the course conditions. There are several choke points at the beginning that can come to a dead stop … MORE
Lots of reviews cover the wine stops but not so many describe the course conditions. There are several choke points at the beginning that can come to a dead stop and make the sweeper cart catch up faster than you may think. The course itself is a series of rolling hills so not flat but not steep. Combine that with sections of deep gravel paths through the chateaus and some unpaved farm roads that can be muddy if there’s been rain and you get some unique challenges.
There are no porta potties so get used to finding a vineyard row to sneak behind or stand in line for one of the very rare WC’s.
The medal and finishers kit is nothing too special but the swag during the race of the wine makes it worth it. Add the 10k wine stroll the following day for a complete package.
I went all out for my costume for my first time and while it was fun, the bulk was too much for the full so I called it at 22k and headed to the finish line to enjoy some wine and watch others stumble in. Less than 50% finished the marathon within the time limit according to the results.
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Challenging but fun
Lots of reviews cover the wine stops but not so many describe the course conditions. There are several choke points at the beginning that can come to a dead stop … MORE
Lots of reviews cover the wine stops but not so many describe the course conditions. There are several choke points at the beginning that can come to a dead stop and make the sweeper cart catch up faster than you may think. The course itself is a series of rolling hills so not flat but not steep. Combine that with sections of deep gravel paths through the chateaus and some unpaved farm roads that can be muddy if there’s been rain and you get some unique challenges.
There are no porta potties so get used to finding a vineyard row to sneak behind or stand in line for one of the very rare WC’s.
The medal and finishers kit is nothing too special but the swag during the race of the wine makes it worth it. Add the 10k wine stroll the following day for a complete package.
I went all out for my costume for my first time and while it was fun, the bulk was too much for the full so I called it at 22k and headed to the finish line to enjoy some wine and watch others stumble in. Less than 50% finished the marathon within the time limit according to the results.
The somewhat drunken marathon
The French know how to have a great time. Amazing production with 20 wine stops as you run through various Chateaus. Beyond wine the normal stops you would imagine plus … MORE
The French know how to have a great time. Amazing production with 20 wine stops as you run through various Chateaus. Beyond wine the normal stops you would imagine plus great food; steaks, oysters and more. A fun, relaxing run with no hills to worry about running through vineyards in the sunshine and 22 degrees. Oh and in fancy dress. Even the finish has wine, food and beer. A beautiful bucket list run.
Fun times in wine country
Medoc marathon is a marathon thru vineyards in Bordeaux France going thru approximately 18 Chateau’s with 21 wine stops. 90% of participants dress in costume based on each years theme. … MORE
Medoc marathon is a marathon thru vineyards in Bordeaux France going thru approximately 18 Chateau’s with 21 wine stops. 90% of participants dress in costume based on each years theme. This years theme was superhero’s.
Our group (6 of us) chose to run as Minions.
There are 8500 participants and the marathon is 70% fun, 30% serious.
The fun….
The start is in a small town with no corrals. There are circus soleil performers performing overhead. Nobody except maybe the top runners taking it serious. The main thing to do at the start is wonder around and look at the costumes.
The course is a varied mixture of paved roads, dirt trails and gravel. Mostly flat with some nasty little hills on the back half. Lots of running thru wine vineyards. Some of the chateaus were really really nice old wineries. But did spend a lot of time looking at grape vines.
As for the water / food / wine stops –
The food was great. Every mile or so they had trays of fresh fruit, homemade breads, sweets and other really good stuff. At mile 19 they had fresh oysters, mile 20 filet mignon and mile 25 some of the best chocolate covered ice cream bars I had ever had.
Not a big wine drinker so skipped most of the wine stops in the courtyard of the Chateaus but most of the people stopped often to participate.
The serious.
As fun as the marathon is it is still a marathon. They have a 6 and a half hour cutoff with sweepers and pick up buses if you fall behind the sweepers. So if you choose to stop at the food / wine stops you have to make up the time or be swept. Only 3 of the 6 in our group actually made the finishing time. The wine stops are very crowded and you could easily spend 5 minutes at each one.
The finish and swag.
You wanted to be sure and finish because the swag was amazing. Bottle of wine from the Bordeaux region, t-shirt and medal.
The next day.
The next day the marathon puts on a 7 mile recovery walk thru the vineyards and party. Very Nice sit down lunch. Cost extra but well worth it.
So….all in all a marathon wine party with the underpinnings of an actual marathon.
Good times
WOW!
This is a clear "bucket race" marathon. IT was my 34th marathon and rank it up there with Boston and New York for a memorable race. I went through Marathon … MORE
This is a clear “bucket race” marathon. IT was my 34th marathon and rank it up there with Boston and New York for a memorable race. I went through Marathon Tours and was grateful for both their pre and post race tours as well as their staff and organization. Of course, the wine helped! The course is challenging as much is run on dirt roads and some hilly portions, no port-a-potties (the vineyards are the substitute) but the people at the Chateaus that greet you and the wine and food provided (not to mention the post-race bling) make up for it. Cool runnings!
THE most fun you can have in a marathon
You run through 59 vineyards in the world's most famous wine producing area with 22 wine stops and one oyster tent. About 9,000 wear costumes and run more for the … MORE
You run through 59 vineyards in the world’s most famous wine producing area with 22 wine stops and one oyster tent. About 9,000 wear costumes and run more for the wine than the fast times.