"Le marathon le plus long du monde" or what is the same, "The longest marathon in the world", so says the slogan of the Marathon du Medoc or Le Marathon des Chateaux du Medoc which is undoubtedly one of the most unique sporting events around the world and has celebrated last September 7 its 29th edition far exceeding the figures of previous years.
The towns of Pauillac, Saint Estephe and Saint Julien, cradle of some of the best wines in the world and located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, north of Bordeaux (France), host since 1984 this mixture of sport, fun and wine culture; a whole marathon with its 42,195 meters, but which also runs in costume and whose refreshment stations (more than 20) wine is served although, of course, there is also water, isotonic drinks, fruit, cookies, etc..
It is almost 30 years since a group of doctor friends started the first edition of this unique race that runs on paved roads and dirt and sand roads, among vineyards and the spectacular chateaux that decorate the landscape of this famous wine region. Some 500 participants, a very respectable figure for the time, lined up at the starting line to complete the mythical distance.
In the following editions something spontaneously emerged that changed the spirit of this race: the people who came out to the roads to see the runners passing by began to offer them the best of these lands: wine. Thus what began as an anecdote became the main feature of the marathon along with the costumes, which would have to wait a few more years to consolidate as essential.
This yearly competition has been improving year after year its repercussion and recognition and, as in the great international marathons, runners come from all over the world, highlighting Japan, with 369 participants, United Kingdom, more than 700, USA, 318 or Germany, 531, and representation from more than 55 countries, including Vietnam, Israel, Philippines, Reunion Island, Barbados or Malaysia. It is the second marathon in number of participants in France, second only to Paris.
More than 16,000 applications, only 8,500 race bibs.
The limit of participating athletes is officially set at 8,500 (although at the starting line there are usually around 9,500) and for this edition more than 16,000 applications were registered. Bib numbers sell out within a few weeks of the opening of the registration period back in February, the available hotel rooms are quickly booked up and finding a camping site within a 30 km radius is difficult. On the day of the race, more than 50,000 spectators come to witness this festival live by going to the most spectacular chateaux that serve as refreshment areas such as Chateau Pichon-Longueville or Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.
The goal, to have fun
Although the spirit of the race is fun and good humor (please dress up and have fun) more than 90% of the athletes manage to finish the more than 42 kms within the maximum time of 6 hours and a half. The winner usually completes the course in about 2h25m and the first woman under 2h50m, bearing in mind that the terrain is not conducive to making good marks as it is riddled with sections with changes of gradient, crossing vineyards (dirt, sand and gravel) and continuously entering and leaving the chateaux with alternating surfaces every few minutes.
So much effort deserves its reward, but this does not come in the form of a cash prize but the winners, both male and female, get their weight in bottles of wine from some of the best wineries through which they have passed, a prize valued at several miles euros and that they receive after getting on a scale on which the precious liquid is placed at the other end.
The winner probably does not make the almost obligatory stops at the refreshment posts, but most of those who follow him or her will enjoy the wines and all kinds of dishes on offer: from oysters to grilled meat, cheese, ice cream, chips and cold meats, all enlivened by music groups, DJs, fanfares, and even a band of bagpipers and the occasional spontaneous.
And the organization
A perfect organization ensures the smooth running of this event with more than 2,000 volunteers including 300 health workers spread throughout the circuit and who are responsible for not only the race but the whole weekend runs as smoothly as possible, because in addition to the race there are organized several parallel activities such as a runner's fair, dinner the day before for nearly 2,000 people, visits to wineries, concerts, fireworks, show before and ... an important medical-sports congress (let's not forget that the organizers are originally doctors).
It is for this reason and for many more things that cannot be explained that, as we say who have ever had the good fortune to participate, the Medoc must be done at least once in a lifetime.
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