The Medoc Marathon
With the Olympic Games in town, August in Paris has been dominated by sport, and we’re not done yet, as the Paralympic Games begin 28 August and carry on through till 8 September. Which is the day after the Medoc Marathon, which takes place on 7 September.
The transformation of Paris during the Olympics was something to behold, as the excitement of the games spread like a wave of euphoria, infecting the population with positivity and enthusiasm. That spirit might be likened to the Roman notion of panem et circenses, which in a political context means “to generate public approval, not by excellence in public service or public policy, but by diversion, distraction, or by satisfying the most immediate or base requirements of a populace, by offering a palliative: for example food (bread) or entertainment (circuses).”
However you look at it, the games were a lot more fun than most people expected. But in addition to the adrenalin generated through the highest levels of athletic competition, they are also, to a large degree, serious and solemn, striving to attach themselves to the laudable principles of universal peace, harmony, fellowship, and understanding.
By contrast, the Medoc Marathon is exuberantly silly and fun, fuelled not by exceeding one’s own personal best, but by unabashedly indulging in what the region does best - wine. The theme of this year’s marathon is ‘Faites vos jeux’, which is an obvious reference to the Olympic Games (as in ‘on with the games’). But it is also a play on words suggesting ‘celebrate your games’, undoubtedly referring to the craziness associated with the marathon, while also meaning ‘place your bets’. As winning is not really the goal of this marathon (read on), it’s more likely a reference to the fun that is associated with this very unorthodox sporting event.
And now a little history: In a land where grapes are holier than water and wine is more revered than oxygen, a group of French villagers in the Médoc region had a rather intoxicating idea: "What if we combined our two greatest loves—running and wine?"
Thus, in 1985, the Marathon du Médoc was born. Unlike other marathons, which might offer you a cup of water or a banana slice at the finish line, the Médoc Marathon offers a more refined set of refreshments: fine Bordeaux wines, gourmet cheese, and oysters. After all, why jog on an empty stomach when you could fuel your 26.2-mile journey with foie gras?
The Race Where Everyone Wins (or Loses Equally)
The Médoc Marathon quickly gained a reputation not for its speed, but for its "quality over quantity" approach to athletics. Participants, dressed in increasingly ridiculous costumes, soon found themselves in a competition less about finishing times and more about who could still stand up straight after sampling wine at over 20 châteaux along the route. Forget about PRs (personal records); here, it was all about achieving a PBW (personal best wobble).
Runners, or more accurately, "staggerers," would show up in tutus, animal costumes, and even as full-bodied wine bottles, ready to take on the challenge. The motto became: "In wine, there's truth; in Médoc, there's... well, something close to truth."
Training Regimens? Nah. Wine Pairings? Absolutely!
As the years went by, runners stopped asking about the race’s elevation profile and started asking which vintage would be served at mile 10. Training tips included advice like, "Be sure to practice running in your costume," and "Remember, pace yourself—with the wine, not the running."
The idea of carbo-loading the night before was transformed into "cheese-loading," because, why not? The traditional pasta dinner was replaced by multi-course feasts paired with more wine. Hydration plans were thrown out the window in favour of meticulously curated wine pairings. One did not simply hydrate during the Médoc Marathon; one celebrated each kilometre with a sip, a nibble, and a laugh.
The Course: A Scenic (and Slightly Tipsy) Journey
The Médoc Marathon course winds through the beautiful vineyards of Bordeaux, past grand châteaux that seem almost to cheer you on with every glass they offer. The scenery is so stunning, it almost distracts you from the fact that you’re running (or trying to).
Runners, already a bit tipsy, often debate whether it’s the rolling hills or the rolling buzz from the wine that’s making their legs wobble. At the end of the day, everyone agrees: it’s the happiest “wall” anyone has ever hit.
Finish Line Shenanigans
Crossing the finish line at the Médoc Marathon is less about breaking the tape and more about breaking out into a dance, preferably with a glass in hand. Each finisher is awarded not just a medal, but also a bottle of local wine, because, at this point, why stop?
The post-race party, or rather, the continuation of the marathon’s “liquid pit stops,” features yet more food, drink, and laughter. The tales of running past castle-like wineries while dressed as a superhero—or was it a grape?—are shared and exaggerated as the night goes on.
The Legacy: A Race Unlike Any Other
Over the years, the Médoc Marathon has become a legend in the running community, not because it’s the fastest or most competitive, but because it’s undeniably the most fun. It’s a race where everyone finishes a little lighter in spirit (and probably heavier in the stomach).
People now travel from all over the world to partake in this festival of running, wine, and costumes. They come not to break records but to break bread, sip wine, and create memories that, depending on the number of wine stops they partake in, they may or may not fully remember.
In Vino Veritas... And in Médoc, Laughter
The Médoc Marathon is proof that sometimes, the best way to get through a long run is with a little wine, a lot of laughter, and the understanding that life, like a good Bordeaux, should be savoured, one sip (or step) at a time.
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