11/09/2026
Marathon du Medoc Race Re-Cap. Apologies in advance for the long post - but it was so much fun, and we wanted to capture it as best we can. If you love running for fun, and having a good time (and drinking w**e) - then this race HAS to go on your bucket lists (no if’s or but’s)…
Every year Marathon du Médoc chooses a new theme and this years theme was linked to their 40th race anniversary. The theme was “It’s the 80’s”, and whilst it’s not mandatory to run in some sort of costume representing the theme - why wouldn’t you. So after doing some work with AI to come up with a design for our running tops, it was our friend Angela who was able to take our design and turn it into reality. On the day we got so many comments about our singlets - so thank you Angela for being patient with us and for turning some sketchy AI pictures into reality. There were so many costumes on course - our advice is that if you do do the race then choose a costume that still allows you to comfortably run 42.2kms. There were many times where we thought - why would you run in that costume for a marathon as we passed someone with all sorts of things hanging of them, or watching them struggle with it in the heat.
Now onto race day…. The day started in Bordeaux where we were staying with our Travelling Fit tour group. We jumped on a bus that they provided, and were able to make the one and a bit hour bus trip to the start line with plenty of time to spare. The race itself starts and finishes in the village of Pauillac within the Medoc region of Bordeaux.
Prior to the start, there was a live band performing music on a platform up in the air suspended from a crane above the start line. Underneath the platform were acrobats hanging from ropes and fabric whilst moving to the music. Of course, the band was playing 80s music, and the start line vibe was just beyond most other races we have done around the world.
We then started and away we went in a shuffle with 8,500 other runners. The first 5kms was reasonably slow with narrow roads and very few opportunities to find any space around us to get a consistent pace going. We were running with our mates Mary and Steve, with Mary wanting to run the whole course with us, and Steve making the call after about 3kms to try and push his way through the crowds of runners.
Whilst there was no w**e in the first 5kms, there were plenty of croissants, pastries, and other food to consume. In addition there were so many water opportunities throughout the day, with water being available every couple of kms (often less than that). Water was provided in little 300mL bottles which meant we could carry them as we ran. Thank god, because the temperatures started at around 22 degrees and increased up to about 35 degrees at the end of the race, with high humidity all day long.
Our first w**e stop came at about 7kms, and they then just continued on reasonably regularly after that. Each w**e stop was generally at a Chateaux, and you could stop and drink as much, or as little as you wanted at each stop.
Over the course of the race, we consumed 22 w**es from about 20 different w**e stops. One of those was a white w**e. In addition we also consumed 2 b**rs.
Throughout the course were so many food stops with chips, crackers, bread, and other pastries available every couple of kilometres. In addition there were seperate stops near the end where we also got to eat oysters, roast beef, and ice cream. Again we had to try these as we ran. We bought gels with us to consume - but didn’t need them on the day, as we were so well fed that we didn’t need any additional fuel.
Along the course and at many of the chateau’s there were live bands, and entertainment, again playing 80s and French music. It just added to the vibe of the day. We took our headphones, and thought that we may use them if it got quiet - but it never did and we never switched the headphones on. The crowds on the side of the roads were so happy and positive and cheered very loudly.
The course itself is mostly flatish, with undulating hills (if you can call them that) along the way. Within about 5mins of leaving the start area, we were running on roads surrounded by vineyards, and this largely continued for the rest of the day. We did pass through a number of other villages, but again, they were small and within a few minutes, it was back into the vineyards. The roads comprised of both asphalt, and gravel, and occasionally pavers/cobbles when you ran through the Chateau’s.
The vineyards were toilets and it was common to see runners peel off into the vines for a toilet stop - whilst there were portable loo’s at the chateau’s - the lines were ridiculous - so vanity and pride went out the window, and so when in France - we pee’d in the vineyards….
As we always say, it’s about Finish Lines - not Finish Times, and this race was very much about that. Due to the many stops, and the narrow roads, it really is just a continuous party/shuffle for 42.2kms. There is a sweeper trolley that gets pushed along the course (yes it has brushes and brooms on it to sweep you up) - and yes at times we saw it, but we just kept on shuffling our way along and having fun staying in front of the trolley at all times. Most runners finish within half an hour of the sweeper - and we were definitely three of those runners. We actually had some time at the end between us and the sweeper (about 8 mins we believe) that we could have drunk a couple more w**es whilst on course…
After finishing, we were provided with a medal, a backpack, a bottle of red w**e, 2x engraved Riedel w**e glasses each, and a finishers cup to fill with as much b**r and w**e as we wanted in the post finish area. We had received our finishers t-shirt when we got our bib.
All up - we had so much fun and never actually felt the pain, or the mental anguish that typically hits somewhere between 25kms and 42.2kms. The event itself was so well organised, and is definitely one we’d love to do again…
The full video is still being finalised - and should be available by late Sunday/Monday.
