Marathon du Médoc: "The Longest Marathon in the World"

This year, Budbox entered the Marathon du Médoc. It's not the most typical of runs—the route is set in and around the Médoc, winding through vineyards and wineries. The best bit is that you get to try wines from the wineries along the way. Each stop is a party, with snacks, live bands, and dancing all in the château grounds. Each year, there’s a fancy dress theme that everyone takes very seriously—you'll often see huge team constructions, boats, and Eiffel Towers held by teams of eight or more. It’s truly one of the most fun marathons I’ve ever participated in.

Where We Stayed

We’ll do a blog later on Bordeaux the city, but we loved staying in the Médoc for the race. We booked a beautiful Airbnb about 20 minutes from Pauillac, which is where you pick up your race bibs and where the start line is. Parking is very relaxed at the marathon; we just parked alongside the road that wouldn’t be closed on the day and walked about 15 minutes into Pauillac. There are lots of little villages with lovely restaurants near Pauillac that you can visit. We didn’t find many places to eat in Pauillac itself, but there were some beautiful little hamlets nearby that are worth visiting—including the Lynch Bages winery, which has a delicious place for dinner and a tiny little shop to browse.

The Race

Race day kicked off with a sea of colourful costumes as thousands of runners gathered at the starting line. The Marathon du Médoc is famous for its carnival-like atmosphere, and this year’s theme was "Place Your Bets" in honour of the Olympics being held in France this year.

The race itself is a 42.2-kilometre route that winds through some of the most famous vineyards in the world. The path can be on trail routes and grass as well as paved roads. It's also quite undulating. Unlike any other marathon, Médoc combines athletic endurance with indulgent breaks. At nearly every kilometre, there’s something to keep you entertained or refreshed: live bands playing upbeat tunes, local specialities to snack on, and, of course, wine tastings at the various châteaux along the route.

Running through vineyards like Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Beychevelle felt surreal. Each château had its own distinct vibe, from the grand architecture to the unique wines they offered. My personal favourite was Château Lynch Bages at the 21 km stage—not only was the wine exceptional, but the ambiance was incredible, with music, dancers, and the vineyard staff cheering us on. Many people stopped to dance despite there being quite a strict 6:30 cut-off time to complete the race!

The last few kilometres included oysters, steak, and ice cream—which was certainly interesting to digest after having run 35 km, but all part of the fun of the race. The support from the local communities was incredible too. Families lined the route, cheering us on, offering snacks, and just adding to the festive atmosphere. It felt more like a giant, moving party than a race, which made the kilometres fly by.

The Wine

One of the most unique aspects of the Marathon du Médoc is the opportunity to taste some of the world’s most renowned wines right in the vineyards where they’re produced. I’ve done this marathon once before when I was new to the wine industry and, honestly, didn’t fully grasp the significance of the bottles being poured. But this time around, I found myself eagerly peering at what was being poured and often asking the teams what had been served. Sometimes, the wineries were filling up glass bottles with wines from a small stainless steel tank, while others were opening bottles right in front of us.

Often, the châteaux served their second wines—Phelan Segur offered their Frank Phelan, which was delicious. In Bordeaux, a "second wine" refers to a wine produced by a château using grapes or lots that do not meet the strict standards set for the estate's flagship or "first" wine, often known as the "Grand Vin." While the first wine is crafted from the best grapes and parcels, showcasing the highest expression of the estate, the second wine is typically made from younger vines, different vineyard plots, or batches that were not quite up to the mark for the top label. Second wines are still made with great care and benefit from the château’s winemaking expertise, but they tend to be more approachable, with a slightly different style that can be enjoyed earlier than the Grand Vin. For wine enthusiasts, second wines are a way to experience the craftsmanship and terroir of a top Bordeaux estate without the premium cost associated with the first wine.

To note: being dehydrated from the running definitely changed the taste of each wine as you went around, but we tried over 20 different wines throughout our run, which was really an experience.

If you’re a runner who loves wine, beautiful scenery, and a fun challenge, the Marathon du Médoc should absolutely be on your bucket list. It’s not just a race; it’s a celebration of life, culture, and the Médoc region’s rich history. Running through vineyards, enjoying great wines, and being part of this incredible community of runners made for a truly unforgettable experience.