World's Booziest Marathon, the Marathon du Medoc sets world record

October 7, 2025

Médoc, Gironde, France--The Marathon du Médoc, a French marathon race, held every year in September through the vineyards of the Médoc in the Gironde, has musical breaks with 50 orchestras scattered around the course, 23 wine tasting stops, oysters tasting at the 38th kilometer, and steak at the 39th kilometer, sets the world record for the World's Booziest Marathon, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/Marathon du Médoc

"The Marathon du Médoc is a French marathon race, created in 1985, held every year in September through the vineyards of the Médoc in the Gironde. It is considered "the longest Marathon in the world" because the race is interspersed with several activities: musical breaks with 50 orchestras scattered around the course, 23 wine tasting stops, oysters tasting at the 38th kilometer, and steak at the 39th kilometer.

"The Marathon du Médoc attracts around 8,500 participants, representing more than 50 nations, as well as many spectators. The marathon is organized by a volunteer association, with 2,800 volunteers." (Wikipedia)

"The circuit crosses the vineyards and chateaux of Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Médoc and Haut-Médoc, beginning and ending in Pauillac. The marathon, known internationally, is famous for its festive atmosphere. 90% of marathon runners run in costume.

The course is officially 42.195 km long with the course record set by Sacha Lotov in 1992 (2'19’20”) and the women's record set by Josiane Llado in 1999 (2'38’34”)." (Wikipedia)

"Fancy dress is compulsory at this marathon with wine which has a different theme each year – with the theme of ‘gastronomy’ being responsible for my race outfit of chef’s hat, apron and plastic vegetables – but its appeal is far more potent than your average running event," A Lady of Leisure says.

"The Medoc Marathon route winds through the famous Medoc region in France near Bordeaux, taking in some of the world’s finest vineyards and chateaux, and it’s a full marathon – all 26.2 miles (or 42.2 km) of it.

"Most importantly and uniquely, there are no fewer than 23 wine tastings along the race course, where some of the aforementioned vineyards dole out gallons of fine Bordeaux wine to thousands of thirsty runners. Who said that red wine and running don’t mix? Not the organisers of the Marathon du Medoc, that’s for certain."

"Running any marathon for the first time is a great life experience, but the Marathon Du Medoc, with its 42.2 km course through some of the world’s most famous vineyards, including the infamous Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux, France, made this a truly unforgettable experience," the Traveling Fit says.

"Not to mention, it’s the craziest marathon on earth! Rather than the usual water stops, there are over 23 wine stations hosted by different châteaus, and there is even compulsory fancy dress!

"That’s right, a marathon that requires you to wear fancy dress (it’s Medoc law) and drink copious amounts of wine en route while tasting French delicacies, including steak, croissants, oysters, and ice cream! I almost couldn’t sleep; I was so excited! I laid my race kit out, tiara, sparkles and all, and finally jumped into bed sometime after 1:30 AM."

"It's true that I had been running for several hours under the relentless summer sun, while the temperatures surged into the 30s and the humidity built up to such an extent that a thunderstorm could only be hours away, so the possibility of heat-induced hallucinations was strong," the Daily Mail says.

"But this was the Marathon des Chateaux du Medoc, the world's booziest (and craziest) marathon. Fancy dress is compulsory at this unique event - this year's theme was 'gastronomy', hence the snails and chefs - but its appeal is far more potent than your average fun run."

"Fortunately, I’m attempting Bordeaux’s Marathon du Médoc; a running event combining “wine, sports, fun and health”, which seems to actively encourage anything that’s normally discouraged in running. Held every September in France’s Médoc region, this sounds like the most idiotic race known to man," the Guardian says.

"The course is 26.2 miles through scenic vineyards and the participants – in compulsory fancy dress - are expected to indulge in 23 glasses of the famed vintages en route, while also stuffing themselves with local specialities such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak and ice-cream. Brilliant."

"The Marathon du Médoc, which has been taking place in and around Pauillac since 1985, is infamous. Participants (who tend to be British; in terms of doomed endeavours, this is up there with the Charge of the Light Brigade) are expected to break 23 times to gorge themselves with the region’s finest — and richest — foodstuffs. Plus, of course, a glass of claret at each stop.

"The grounds of Château Lynch-Bages are full of trestle tables laid out with beakers of red wine and cheese biscuits, as well as more usual snacks, such as bananas. They’re staffed by volunteers from the town, who urge us on with cries of ‘Allez!’. A Tyrannosaurus rex waddles past eating a KitKat," the Country Life says.

"Marathon running and wine drinking aren’t two activities that often go hand-in-hand. But that’s exactly what happens at the Marathon du Mèdoc – an event dubbed the ‘world’s booziest marathon’," the official website says.

"If you’re a wine and oyster connoisseur, this could be the ideal way to give your culinary and cardiovascular instincts a real workout. In short, it’s a full marathon with more than 20 food and wine stops along the route.

"In fact, it’s so popular that registration for the event has already closed. But fret not – you can still get in the Médoc mood by enjoying some liquid refreshment at home. Or, better still, come along and cheer on the runners at the start line in Pauillac, around 90 minutes’ drive north of Bordeaux."

"Perhaps the most famous boozy run, the Marathon du Médoc is the one for wine lovers. This laid-back race sees entrants run through the beautiful vineyards of Médoc, though taking plenty of breaks at the 23 wine tasting stops, with an oyster tasting at the 38th kilometre-mark and steak at the 39th kilometre," The Drinks Business says.

"There’s live music with orchestras dotted throughout the course, and runners typically come in costume; add the wine and it sounds more like a party than a race. Might be one for fans of wine rather than fans of running.

"Dress up, drink wine and explore the most famous vineyards of France! Join us for the wackiest and booziest Marathon at the Medoc Marathon 2026," the Sports Tours International says.

"At this event fancy dress is not only encouraged – it’s compulsory and the theme for 2026 is the 80s! The Marathon du Médoc includes 23 wine stops combining “wine, sports, fun and health”, while also snacking on specialties such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak and ice-cream for dessert.

"Each year the Medoc Marathon has a theme, you can be sure that the wild array of costumes will not disappoint. Dress up and run through the magical region of Margaux near Bordeaux, tasting local wines and enjoying plenty of snacks."