Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc
The Lowdown
The Marathon du Médoc is not just a race – it’s a rolling wine-country carnival. The 26.2-mile route meanders through 50+ renowned vineyards and châteaux of the Médoc region north of Bordeaux. Runners traverse scenic roads amid endless vineyards, often on estate grounds, passing names like Château Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. The terrain is mostly flat and paved, with some sections on gravel vineyard paths. This is a marathon to be savored: instead of the usual water-and-gels fare, aid stations here offer local wines, cheeses, oysters, and other delicacies! Don’t be surprised if a volunteer asks “Rouge ou blanc?” (red or white?) as you approach an aid table. In fact, many participants stop at nearly every château to sample the offerings. The course is roughly a loop starting and ending in Pauillac, with views of the Gironde estuary and countless vineyards in between. Scenic highlights include running through rows of vines, under château gates, and alongside 18th-century winery buildings – truly a feast for the eyes (and palate).
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Château Lynch-Bages
Iconic Pauillac grand cru where runners pass alongside historic vines and the château's 19th-century façade
Château Mouton Rothschild
World-famous estate noted for its château and vineyard, featured along the scenic vineyard-lined course
Château Pichon Longueville (Pichon Baron)
Elegant 18th-century château with expansive grounds visible from the race route
Château Lafite Rothschild
Renowned premier cru vineyard offering sweeping views of rows of vines and estate architecture
Château Latour
Stately Pauillac fortress-château overlooking the Gironde estuary, a striking landmark on the route
Gironde estuary viewpoints
Sections of the course run near the riverbank, providing wide estuary vistas and sea-breeze exposure
Pauillac town center and Église Saint-Martin
The race weaves through the town center, passing the port area and the historic Saint-Martin church
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Pauillac, France
FR
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Eligibility
- Minimum age 18 on race day (05/09/2026)
- Valid medical certificate dated within 12 months prior to the race stating no contraindication to competitive long-distance running OR valid athletics federation license accepted by the organisers
- Completed online registration and payment prior to the registration deadline
- Presentation of official ID and race confirmation at bib collection
- Agreement to and compliance with the event rules and the organiser's safety instructions
- Ability to complete the marathon within the event cutoff time (approximately 6 hours 30 minutes)
Required Documents
- Medical certificate
Entry Methods
- Online registration
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellation Package: For an additional fee of 13€, participants can opt for a cancellation package at the time of registration. This package ensures a refund of the registration fee (excluding supplementary benefits) in cases such as serious illness, injury, accident, or family bereavement.
Redemption of Race Numbers: Participants who wish to cancel without the cancellation package can have their race numbers redeemed by the organization for 87€. The deadline for this redemption is June 30, 2025. After this date, refunds or redemptions are not available unless the cancellation package has been purchased.
To initiate a cancellation or redemption, participants must contact the organization via the provided email address (dossard@marathondumedoc.com) and submit the necessary documentation before the specified deadlines.
The race is famous for runners in elaborate costumes and more than 20 wine-tasting stations and food stops (including oysters, cheese and steak) along the vineyard-lined course past dozens of historic châteaux.
Unlike most marathons, many aid stations offer small wine samples in addition to water and sports drinks, and there are live bands and entertainment every few kilometers creating a festival atmosphere.
Race weekend includes an Expo and a pre-race pasta dinner on Saturday, and all finishers receive a commemorative medal and a technical finisher shirt.
Logistics tip: parking in Pauillac is limited on race day so use the event shuttles or public transport; aid stations are roughly every 2–3 km and the course is generally flat to gently rolling through the Médoc wine region.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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