Running the Marathon du Medoc is one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever taken part in. That’s why it appealed to me so much. It’s certainly not for the serious marathon runner. With 22 wine stops and so much food that you could consume more calories than you burn off, you have to ignore the Garmin and just go with the flow. This is the marathon where you go to have a good time, not get a good time. Oh, and fancy dress is compulsory. This year’s theme was music, so naturally I dressed as my hero Angus Young from AC/DC 🙂
The carnival atmosphere at the start line sets the tone for a completely bonkers event that’s basically one big running party!
Setting off from the small town of Pauillac near Bordeaux, the course weaves through vineyards and the courtyards of beautiful chataeux where you can sample some of the wine they produce. My plan was to stick to water until 35km because I don’t drink often so I get tipsy easily. Plus, I have a kidney condition that means I have to stay well hydrated, so running and boozing is not advisable. Typically my back ache and bunions decided to flare up that day making every step very painful. In hindsight, I wish I’d have started necking the wine earlier because I think it helped to numb the pain!
The array of costumes was truly astounding, and not confined to musical themes: I saw a man wearing a pole with Marge Simpson on the top of it and all the other Simpsons hanging off horizontal bars attached to it. There was a Baywatch squad including one member being eaten by a shark, several bananas and a woman wearing a huge Eiffel Tower. As to be expected, there were numerous David Bowies, Kiss, Abba, Village People and a few other people dressed as Angus. One of my favourites though was Jesus wearing a big cross on his back…maybe he turned all the water into wine.
We had all weathers that day, from blazing sun and blue sky to dark clouds and torrential rain. At one point I was so wet I couldn’t even unlock my iPhone to take some video! I was certainly glad of that baseball cap to keep the rain off my face!
I had been due to run with a friend and her boyfriend but they pulled out a few days beforehand. Although I was disappointed for them not to be able to take part, I have always run alone so I wasn’t put off doing it on my own. I knew that one of my colleagues was running with some friends and we’d met up the day before at the expo. They crossed the start line before me (I was delayed in the queue for the toilet as usual!) so they were about five minutes ahead of me.
Because I passed on the wine until the later stages I managed to catch them up…they’d stopped at every wine station! Towards the end of the course the food stops get really interesting with oysters, steak, corn on the cob, cheese and ice creams on offer. I’m vegetarian so I skipped the oysters and steak (38km into a marathon probably isn’t the best time to try oysters for the first time anyway!). We finished the race together in just under six hours with a final downpour just before we crossed the line.
The winners were weighed after the race (you can just see the scales on the stage behind me) and won their weight in wine! Despite the pain and getting soaked it was definitely the most fun I’ve had on a marathon, and this was my sixth. Would I do it again? Well, immediately afterwards I was adamant this would be my last, but I’ve said that after the last five. A week later I’m itching to get out for a run, and who knows, there may be a seventh 😉
Linking up with: The Saturday Share, Thursday Moda, Fancy Friday, The Blended Blog, Top of the World Style, On Mondays We Link-Up Fab Favorites, Spread the Kindness, Jersey Girl, Texan Heart, Turning Heads Tuesday, Tina’s Pink Friday Link Up, Hospitality Link Up, Fine-Whatever, #fakeituntilyoumakeit, Confident Twosday, Shoe and Tell, My Red Carpet, Friday Favorites, Wednesday Blog Hop, Brilliant Blog Posts, Foxy’s Domestic Side, The Pleated Poppy, Fun Fashion Friday, Thursday Moda, Thursday Fashion Files, On Trend Tuesdays, Fabulous Friday, Flashback Fashion Fridays, Passion4Fashion
Wow Emma you are great. Such a funny marathon.
Maybee a wedding dress… bride on the cursed 🙂
Fantastic! Such fun! I would go as Siouxie!
Where do I start? i love it! See, i guessed Angus.. as i am an ACDC fan myself. i used to joke with my guitar students that those were the only these chords they play AC and D and they repeat C… hehe. omg, 22 wine stops.. i would have been crawling to the finish line! you did quite well. and what fun. i would have joined u!
have a lovely day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Well done Emma, what a fabulous event – and you look super running it too. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
This has to be the most fabulous marathon in the world! I’m honestly not sure what I would dress up as! The costumes look so fun!
–Roxanne
http://glassofglam.com
Looks like you had so much fun! Great photos!
http://chicglamstyle.com
This is so crazy and funny. I love this. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to survive this 22 wine stop, but I can try. o)))
Thank you share this story with My Red Carpet.
Anna
http://www.glamadventure.com
This looks like the best Marathon ever! A Marathon that’s real fun! Well done Emma xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
What a great event. I love running but never done anything as fun as this. Great photos 🙂 Thanks for linking up.
This all looks so fun! Thanks for joining our Style Wise link up party today!
Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
This looks like so much fun!! I have never heard of this marathon, but it definitely looks like the best one in the world to me 🙂 I have to admit the wine is the pull for me!
I ran the London Marathon four and a half years ago. Definitely one of the best days of my life, but I’ve not done one since. Wow, 6 marathons under your belt! Well done. That’s something to be so proud of, as they take such dedication and determination during the training and on the day (mentally and physically). Not an easy thing to do at all!
This is so, so fun! I enjoyed reading about this unusual marathon and seeing all the costumes. Your first photo is too cute!
Oh Emma, you are an absolute star! I so admire you and envy you a little as that food and wine sounded lovely. I may be tempted next year if I can power walk it! Well done on doing it. Looks amaaaazing. I would dress up as Keith Richards! Love a bit of Pirate going on. xx