running, marathonEnely JaagerSeptember 09, 2018marathon, marathon du medoc, running, training, bordeaux, dune du pilat, france, 42 km, wine marathon, pouillac, runforfunComment

NELI - PAULLIAC

running, marathonEnely JaagerSeptember 09, 2018marathon, marathon du medoc, running, training, bordeaux, dune du pilat, france, 42 km, wine marathon, pouillac, runforfunComment

4 Marathon du Medoc in Paulliac

September 2018

The flashbacks of the previous marathon are still clearly before my eyes. Snow-capped mountains in the land of the Vikings in northern Norway. This time, though, I'm flying on airBaltic to Bordeaux wine region in the south of France, where the Marathon du Medoc is held for the 34th time already.
The French really love wine, which is why it shouldn't come as a surprise that they also have their own wine marathon!

The limit for the wine marathon is 8,500 runners and the registration was opened in March. They didn't announce the exact date, therefore, you had to check their webpage several times every day, starting from the first of March, so that you wouldn't miss out on the major event. The registration was finally opened on the fifth of March and the vacant places filled up only in a matter of minutes. To those of you who plan on running a marathon in France in the future, know that you're required to present an active medical certificate to the organisers before the race.

Bordeaux is the capital of the largest wine factories in the world, where wine has been produced since the 8th century. The historic part of the town is among the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bordeaux is like the younger sister of Paris because when you're walking the streets, then at times, it really feels like you've ended up in Paris instead. Bordeaux is the successor of Paris in terms of the highest number of well-preserved historic buildings in the whole of France.

The traditional pre-race Pasta Party took place the night before the race. Indeed, the French know how to have fun. The wine was flowing and pasta was al dente.

LE MARATHON LE PLUS LONG DU MONDE

Temperatures are expected to reach 30+ degrees for race day. It's not the best temperature for running a marathon, but weather is just one of those many things which we can't change, so you need to think positively. Better +30 than as many in minus degrees.

The theme for this year's marathon was Amusement Park. A brilliant show was performed by the aerialists, who started their program half an hour before the start and finished just a few minutes before the starting pistol fired.

No amusement park is complete without a roller coaster. The profile of the track was worthy of the comparison to a roller coaster. Difficult rises and nice gentle slopes led from one vineyard to the next, with wonderful views to the grape fields.

You gotta wear amusing costumes to an amusement park. All species of animals and birds were represented. We were also honoured with the presence of Jesus Christ, Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman and many other world famous entities.

Before the start, I signed an oral agreement with myself that I will run the first 30 km as fast as possible and during the last 12+ km I will enjoy the delicacies on offer along the course. In real life, I couldn't resist the temptation and gave in slightly before the 11th kilometre.

BON APPETIT!

The route passed through the famous wineries of Pauillac, St. Julien-Beychevelle and St. Estèphe, and more than 50 castles. In Bordeax, more than 960 million wine bottles are produced per year, including the everyday wines as well as the most expensive wines in the world.
There were a total of 21 wine stations on course.

Since the weather was forgotten by the heavens, many runners used the opportunity to cool themselves down in the vineyard pond.

The musicians, owners of wineries and simple villagers came to cheer the marathon.

This marathon was a very good lesson: "Life is an adventure". You don't have to be that hard and so serious all the time.

Tasting and dancing at the Dourthe Wine Estate.

You can't get around wine at a wine marathon, but the supply of regular water was also very well arranged. Water was distributed in small bottles and water stations were ample. It was nice that the bottles were not thrown randomly along the road, but the organisers had set up recycling bins for the purpose.

The runners, who were struggling with their cramps on the race, had the chance to enjoy massage near the end of the distance.

In addition to the wine, the food was also rich. Besides the usual bananas, apples and raisins, you also got bread with duck liver pâté and ham, some cheese, corn, entrecôte, oysters and ice cream.

There was also a beauty salon on the last kilometer, where everyone who wanted to do was able to make the finish line with a fresh make-up.

As you may presume, one shouldn't have any hopes of a personal best after such tippling on the race.

But I did reach the finish and as a reward ... a bottle of good wine!

As well as being one of the most well-known wine regions on planet earth, Bordeaux also boasts the largest sand dune in Europe, called Dune du Pilat. This unique sand wall is located between the Atlantic Ocean, Arcachon Bay and peninsula, and is surrounded by a massive pine forest.