The Medoc Marathon is a massive party for drinkers with a running problem.
On the Friday day before the Marathon everyone turns up and has a five course meal and a party ("Mille pates") till after midnight and there is dancing on tables.
At seven o'clock the on Sunday morning everyone arrives to parade their "defuse" (fancy dress) and then the Marathon sets off - but it's not far to go to Chateau Rothschild for the first of around 25 degustations en route. The final few "rest stations" on the course reproduce the French Meal (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), providing oysters and white wine at one, then steak and claret at the next, then the cheese course, (more claret), then some ice cream dessert at the next (with a little Sauterns of course) and finally a Disco with sparking wine, where people wait to attempt to get the honour of being the *last* person cross the line within the 6.5 hour cut-off. This person will win their weight in wine!
On the night of teh marathon there is a massive party on the quay, with a stage and a band and dancing and claret at €1 per cup and BBQ provided by the Rugby club. Dancing till past midnight.
On teh Sunday everyone goes for a 10km walk - just to stretch the legs, and the walk takes then through a few vineyards en the way - where there is more tasting to be done, and the walk finishes in a massive marquee for lunch. There is a band, and guess what - more drinking and partying and dancing!
Su has done this Marathon many times before and was gutted not to be taking part - but at least we were able to use our tickets to join in the partying and the walk.
A few pictures from Other Years
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