The Médoc marathon

A marathon like no other

Since 1985, French and international athletes have taken part in an atypical marathon each year in September: the Médoc marathon. This sporting and trying event, which takes place over the same distance as traditional marathons (42.195 km), is however particular in more ways than one. First, let’s mention the setting, a nod to wine enthusiasts. The runners cross the vineyards of the Médoc, a region known worldwide for its estates and great wines. Since the first edition, the organizers have wanted to "protect" their marathon so that it retains its popular charm that characterizes it. This is why the number of registrations is limited to 8,500 participants.

The Medoc Marathon is also a friendly sporting event in which close to a hundred marathon volunteers take part in the form of an association, supported by a team of 3,000 volunteers. It was also voted "the friendliest race in France" four times between 1996 and 2005. Each participant receives a personalized welcome and support. Those who cross the finish line are awarded a medal, a sports bag, a bottle of Medoc wine, a t-shirt and other gifts.

Who said that a warm atmosphere was incompatible with sports performance? The Medoc Marathon is above all a very demanding long-distance race which requires very good physical condition. Some athletes see it as a great challenge, others an opportunity to improve their performance. For this reason, the race attracts elite runners who are among the first to arrive in international marathons each year. Professional or occasional runners, all receive the encouragement of the 100,000 spectators who came to attend this marathon like no other.

It’s hard to imagine an event in the Medoc without mentioning its gastronomy and local products. Nearly 1,500 people meet the day before the race to dine in a Medoc castle. On the evening of the race, a free orchestra and fireworks enliven the evening. The event closes the following day with a recovery walk to take care of your body in the heart of the vineyard, converse with the runners and volunteers before meeting the following year.

The course of the Médoc 2020 Marathon

Unlike most marathons, the Médoc Marathon takes place in the great outdoors and on a single loop north of 33 in the Médoc vineyards between Bordeaux, the ocean beaches and the Gironde estuary. The route winds between hectares of vines from more than 50 wine estates.

The 35th edition of the Medoc Marathon will be held on Saturday September 12, 2020. The departure (9:30 am) and arrival will be at Pauillac, 53 km north-west of Bordeaux, on the quays near the marina.

Details of the itinerary with the hamlets, the municipalities and the areas crossed on https://www.marathondumedoc.com/.

Throughout the duration of the race, the athletes will constantly feel the spectators' encouragement and the festive atmosphere of the event. Most of the participants appear in disguise at the start line and around fifty events will be organized. In terms of supplies, marathon runners will find more than 20 tasting points for local products along the way: cheese, ham, oysters, etc. 

The Medoc 2020 Marathon Program  

Friday September 11, 2020 

Participants will be able to collect their bibs at the departure location in Pauillac between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. They will be able to attend a sports conference between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. and participate in the pre-race dinner at Château Pédesclaux from 7 p.m. 

Saturday September 12, 2020 

Disguised runners will be presented from 8:00 a.m. Participants will start at 9:30 am, 30 minutes after the advertising caravan. The public will be able after the departure to benefit from the animations planned on the quays between 9:30 and 11:30. The prizes will be awarded at 4.30 p.m. on the podium. Evening entertainment will start at 7:00 p.m. with food stands and wine tasting in the village hall of Saint-Estèphe. The Tropica Orchestra will liven up the streets from 9 p.m., just before the fireworks (10.30 p.m.). The dance evening open to all is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. 

Sunday September 13, 2020 

At 10:00 am, the riders registered in advance (supplement of 5 €) will take a recovery walk in Pauillac. An optional meal will be served at 12:30 p.m. 

Registration fees and procedures for the Médoc Marathon 

• Registration and bib price: 90 € 
• Registration + Cash register meal: € 113 
• Registration + Thousand Pasta Dinner at Château Pédesclaux on Friday evening: € 135 
• Registration + recovery walk + Sunday meal: 134 € 
• Registration + Thousand Pasta Dinner + recovery walk + Sunday meal: € 184 

The Medoc Marathon is reserved for runners over 20 years old (born before September 12, 2000). A medical certificate must be presented before the day of the race. 

From Bordeaux, you can go to Pauillac: 

• By car on the D1215 (plan a 2 hour drive as a precaution if you join the start on the day of the race) 
• By train (Bordeaux Saint-Jean station) 
• By bus (bus available to runners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the race, places available by reservation from your Runners area)