Who said the pleasures of wine and running were incompatible? Created in 1985 by a group of marathon-running friends and managed ever since by a team of volunteers, this extraordinary 42,195 km race takes place every September, when around 8,000 entrants come to sample the joys of sport as well as the finest regional specialities.
Throughout the course, the marathon runners, mostly dressed up for the occasion, are invited to replenish their strength with wine, oysters, foie gras or steak. In total, 23 Médoc wine-tasting stands await the runners. The path is also lined with orchestras and entertainment provided by locals, who come to enjoy a day out and cheer on the participants.
The Médoc marathon is also a sporting event in its own right. The circuit, which forms a loop starting from and arriving at Pauillac, goes through the villages of Saint-Julien and Saint-Estèphe and about fifty wine châteaux. The route includes some passages on stony ground and features several hills, especially in the vineyards.
