You’ve probably heard of the iconic “Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc”, arguably France’s most-famous footrace. Runners participate in fancy dress to match the year’s theme and most are there to savour the gourmet refreshment stations nestled amongst the picture-perfect châteaux. Dubbed the “longest marathon in the world”, it serves as a showcase for the region’s incredible red wines, enjoyment of which inevitably leads to those 26.2 miles feeling like rather more!
However, you probably did not know that the Marathon du Médoc has a serious side. I certainly didn’t, until I was approached this summer by one of the châteaux en route to join a team of experienced runners with the goal of a good performance. The marathon rewards the fastest château (top five finishers) and also features a “challenge féminin”, where the top three women of each wine producer count. All of which means some serious competition at the sharp end of the race.
I was approached via a friend and Blagnac club-mate to join the team of the gorgeous Château de Villegeorge, who were looking to boost their female representation. I refused at first, knowing that a marathon at the very end of the long school break, off the back of a three-week family holiday and long-haul flight, would be a huge commitment. But the château upped the ante by extending the weekend-long invitation to my husband and kids, so I could hardly say no after that!
Unusually, the Marathon du Médoc takes place on a Saturday, which means you have a night to party and a day to recover before the realities of Monday morning hit. Perfect! We drove up there on the Friday evening, arriving at our kind hosts’ house around 10pm to head straight to bed. In the morning, I met some of the other runners (almost all seasoned veterans of the Marathon du Médoc) over breakfast and then we piled into cars for the drive to Pauillac, where the race starts.
I was thrilled to learn that the Château de Villegeorge had a special arrangement with a lovely hotel just a few hundred metres from the start/finish so we could use the facilities, leave our stuff and even have a hot shower at the end. What a treat to have such fabulous amenities. I met up with the rest of the team, did a miniature warm-up and then it was time to join the throng on the start line.
The jubilant atmosphere is palpable in Pauillac on race day. Runners had come from all over the world (they announced 42% were from outside France, representing more than 70 countries) to enjoy the scenery and gastronomy. Just before the gun, we were treated to an eye-boggling aerial spectacle to get the party started (although I must admit I found it rather alarming to then have to run under the precariously dangling platform, with the performers still balanced thereon!).
The race started well and I settled into a rhythm as the miles ticked by. Very early, I was conscious of the heat. Although the sky was cloudy, I was thirsty from the get-go and ended up taking water at almost every opportunity. I ran well for the first half, but then started to struggle. Kilometres twenty to thirty were the hardest physically, but I just focused on enjoying the atmosphere and drinking in the scenery. And what scenery! Around every turn you were greeted by a picture-postcard view of one of France’s iconic châteaux. Absolutely stunning.
For those who are wondering, no, I did not drink any wine en route. Hot, thirsty and struggling for energy, wine was the last thing I fancied! Instead I focused on chewing my fruit squares, which certainly helped as I felt a definite boost as I entered the final third of the race. Unfortunately, this did not quite see me home, but I was helped hugely by a fellow Château de Villegeorge team-mate, who ran alongside me for the final 8km and encouraged me all the way to the finish.
And the result? Three hours and twenty-six minutes (my slowest non-buggy marathon by quite a way) for seventh overall female (and 66th out of about 7500 total finishers – which gives you an idea of how seriously most take the event!). To my immense delight, I was first in my category (“M1”, which is females aged 40-45) and, best of all, WE WON THE LADIES’ TEAM PRIZE!!! The prize-giving was next-level, on a huge stage with rock music blaring out, and it was a total thrill to be able to step up there twice to the cheers of the crowd.
My individual prize was twelve bottles of very special local red, which, added to the wine we won as a team, a gift from the team captain and some extra we bought from the Château de Villegeorge (l’Etoile de Villegeorges is divine, by the way), meant that we drove home with 30 bottles in the boot of the car!
My husband and kids had a great day out in the Médoc sunshine. There was an organised 6km family walk from the start line that began just after the main race, so they were able to get a taste of the atmosphere (and give me a big shout) without encountering total exhaustion. The festivities of Saturday night lived up to the hype too. We were hosted at the Château de Villegeorge by Marie-Laure Lurton and her family for a sumptuous feast with the whole team and everyone’s support crew. It was a fabulous evening of wine, laughter and comparing sunburn and race stories, which will live long in my memory.
All-in-all, it was an amazing experience from start to finish and I hope to be lucky enough to repeat it one day.
