Marathon du Médoc

2021 Marathon du Médoc

Saturday 11 September, 2021

Duration: 2, 3 or 4 nights Distance: Marathon

Dress up, drink wine and explore the most famous vineyards of France! Join us for the wackiest and booziest Marathon and the 36th edition of the Medoc Marathon. At this event fancy dress is not only encouraged – it’s compulsory! Our travel packages to the 2021 Medoc Marathon include guaranteed entry into the Medoc Marathon. We also offer a choice of hotels in the centre of Bordeaux for 2, 3 or 4 nights and the services of our running representative. You also have the option to purchase additional activities!

Bookings for this event will open shortly

DETAILS
The Medoc Marathon in the South of France is famous, not just for its sheer popularity, but also because it really is one of the most unusual marathons around. Created in 1984 this unique marathon becomes more popular every year. The field is limited to 8,500 runners and sells out quickly, so runners have to enter early to guarantee their spot.

This year, is the 36th anniversary of the race, and, whatever the 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, as you run!

Our travel packages to the 2021 Medoc Marathon include guaranteed entry (optional extra). You also have a choice of hotels in the centre of Bordeaux for 2, 3 or 4 nights and the services of our running representative. You can also purchase additional activities like the Friday night Pasta Party at a genuine French Chateau the Château de Pedesclaux and a Sunday walk and lunch, also at Château de Pedesclaux.

Prices from £369 per person with the below inclusions – please refer to the hotel and prices tab for all our hotel options and prices

What’s included:
- A safe pair of hands – More information
- 2, 3 or 4 nights at a choice of excellent hotels in Bordeaux
- All hotel taxes
- Daily breakfasts
- The services of the Sports Tours International running guide
Also available:
- Your Marathon entry – £85 per entry including race day transfers to the start
- Pasta Dinner at Château de Pedesclaux with return coach transfers, music, entertainment and fireworks – £80 per person (note that the coach does not arrive back into Bordeaux until 12.30am, if you feel this may be too late for you, please do not book this optional extra).
- Sunday walk and lunch at a nearby Château de Pedesclaux with drink and return coach transfers – £80 per person
- Travel insurance. Please click here to find out about our travel insurance options
- Sports Travel Essentials. Please click here to view our page
- Extra hotel nights available on a request basis and subject to availability
- A medical certificate is compulsory for those take part in any running event in France and is required to be printed and returned to Sports Tours International. The blank medical certificate will be provided with your booking confirmation for you to print and take to your doctor.
Read More

Medoc Marathon: Event Details

The Marathon du Médoc is a full marathon with 23 wine stops combining “wine, sports, fun and health”. Held every September in France’s Médoc region, the 26.2 miles takes runners – (in compulsory fancy dress) – through scenic vineyards and the participants are expected to indulge in 23 glasses of the famed red wine from this area en-route, while also stuffing themselves with local specialities such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak and ice-cream. Many of the 10,000 other participants have attended one of the event’s pasta parties the previous evening: a glorious mix of wine, carbohydrates and merriment designed, I suspect, to ensure that you forget you’re running a marathon the following morning.

If this sounds like your kind of Marathon, the fancy dress theme of the 2021 Medoc Marathon is set every year by the race organisers and the 2020 theme was “Cinema”.
ITINERARY
Medoc Marathon Itinerary (4 night example)

Thursday 9 September

Arrive in Bordeaux and make your own way to your chosen hotel in central Bordeaux, where your race entry will be waiting for you. No need to go to the marathon expo as we have arranged for your bibs to be waiting for you at the hotel reception or in your bedroom.

The rest of your day is free to explore the local area and sample the local wines! Sports Tours Staff will be available this evening to answer any questions you may have.

Friday 10 September – Château de Pedesclaux, Pasta Party – £80 per person

A free day for sightseeing the local area. Enjoy all that Bordeaux has to offer. There is an optional extra for you to join the pasta dinner party (with transport and beverages), which is located at Château de Pedesclaux. Usually approximately 45 minutes by coach from Bordeaux. Music and entertainment and fireworks are included. Tickets are limited and are first come first serve basis. Please bear in mind your arrival time if arriving today. Transport to the pasta dinner is approx 4pm (keep this in mind when booking your travel to Bordeaux).

If you are wanting to visit the expo today, you can do so from 10.00am to 11.00pm.

There are plenty of other things happening today as well;
- 15.00 – The Medical and Sports Seminar at the Tourism office, which is free and open to all runners
- 18.30 – There will be a Pasta-Party at Château de Pedesclaux. Bookings are limited to 1450 people. Registration voucher is to be presented on entrance. Dinner will be served at 20.00
- 19.00 pm “Pâtes-à-Caisse” meal in the Saint Estèphe festival hall
**Note that the coach does not arrive back into Bordeaux until 12.30am, if you feel this may be too late for you, please do not book this optional extra.

Saturday 11 September – 2021 Medoc Marathon

Today is the day. Grab the fancy dress costumes, and experience a marathon like no other!

After an early breakfast a coach transfer from the hotel to the start will pick you up at approximately 06.30. The Medoc marathon is expected to start at 9:30. Afterwards there will be a transfer back to the hotel.

The evening is free for you to explore and celebrate (and taste more wine!)

French Medical Certificate

A medical certificate is compulsory for those take part in any running event in France and is required to be printed and returned to Sports Tours International. The blank medical certificate will be provided with your booking confirmation for you to print and take to your doctor.

Sunday 12 September

You will have today to either recover, enjoy the sights of Bordeaux or head home. Another optional extra is for you to enjoy the Walk & Lunch around Château de Pedesclaux approximately 45 minutes by coach from Bordeaux, with transport, which attracts up to 4,000 people. Lunch is served at 12.00 to 14.00 and the trip ends at 15.30. If you wish to attend, please select the optional extra in the booking process. £80 per person

Monday 13 September

Today you will have further opportunity to explore the area. Today is also check out day.
HOTELS & PRICING
Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare

The Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare is an ideal hotel for the Medoc Marathon. Then hotel is located 350 yards from Saint Jean Train Station, and a 10-minute tram ride from the cit...

Hotel MERCURE Gare St Jean 4*

Just 10 minutes by tram, which conveniently passes right by the front door, from Bordeaux Centre, and only a few minutes walk from Gare St. John train station, the Hotel MERC...

Prices:

Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare

2 nights £369 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £469 per person based on single occupancy.
3 nights £439 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £599 per person based on single occupancy.
4 nights £509 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £719 per person based on single occupancy.

Mercure Gare St Jean

2 nights £409 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £589 per person based on single occupancy.
3 nights £529 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £809 per person based on single occupancy.
4 nights £639 per person based on double occupancy of a double or twin room / £1009 per person based on single occupancy.

Extras
- Race Entry Fee £85 per person
- Pasta Dinner with transfers £80 per person
- Sunday Walk and Dinner with transfers £80 per person
Single travellers and twin to share – READ MORE HERE

We welcome single travellers on our tours and holidays as it is a great way to join a like-minded group of people and you will make lots of new friends. If you would like to join our group as a single traveller we can offer you two options. A single room or if you want to avoid the single supplement then you can make use of our ‘twin to share’ option. We will pair you up with another traveller (of the same sex) and you can enjoy the event without having to pay extra.
Marathon du Médoc Hotels
Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare

The Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare is an ideal hotel for the Medoc Marathon. Then hotel is located 350 yards from Saint Jean Train Station, and a 10-minute tram ride from the city centre. The ibis Bordeaux Saint Jean hotel is a 45-minute drive from the Saint Emilion and Médoc vineyards, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bassin d’Arcachon as well as a 30-minute tram ride from Bordeaux Exhibition Centre. Tram C can take you to Nouveau Stade Bordeaux in just over 30 minutes and ibis Bordeaux Métropole Arena is 1.9 miles away.

The Ibis Bordeaux Centre Gare offers a bar and free Wi-Fi in the hotel rooms. Bedrooms feature a flat-screen TV, and the private bathrooms are complete with a shower and toilet.

A buffet breakfast composed of sweet and savoury dishes such as eggs, fruit salad, yogurts and juices is served every day. Pastries baked on site and fresh French Madeleine cakes are also on offer, as well as a hot beverage and a piece of fruit to take away. Outside of regular breakfast hours guests can also enjoy a lighter option, available from 04:00. The bar serves snacks throughout the day.

Check in is from 12pm and check our is by 12pm.

Hotel Price

Other Facilities Include:

Bikes available (free)

On-site coffee house

Chocolate or cookies(Additional charge)

Bottle of water (Additional charge)

Wine/champagne(Additional charge)

Snack bar

Bar

Free! WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and charges are applicable.

Accessible parking

Parking garage

Street parking

Secured parking

Public transport tickets(Additional charge)

Daily maid service

Luggage storage

Fax/photocopying(Additional charge)

Express check-in/check-out

24-hour front desk

on site

Air conditioning

Non-smoking throughout

Heating

Safety deposit box

Lift

Facilities for disabled guests

Non-smoking rooms

Newspapers
Marathon du Médoc Hotels

Hotel MERCURE Gare St Jean 4*

Just 10 minutes by tram, which conveniently passes right by the front door, from Bordeaux Centre, and only a few minutes walk from Gare St. John train station, the Hotel MERCURE Gare St Jean is situated in a wonderful location for those wishing to explore the beautiful region of Bordeaux, and the city, famed for its fabulous wine! The city of Bordeaux is also rich with history, and was recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage area, due to its “outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”. Home to some 362 monuments historiques, as well as a wealth of striking contemporary architecture, and noteworthy gardens and parkland, there is more than just wine to look forward to on a trip to this incredible city.

Hotel MERCURE Gare St Jean is a 4* hotel which offers its guests fully non smoking, air conditioned and soundproofed rooms. It is also well noted for its exceptionally comfortable beds, so you are sure to get a good night’s sleep during a stay at this hotel. Each room is spacious, with warm and welcoming, modern decor, and each has a private bathroom fitted with either a bathtub or shower, a hairdryer and separate toilet.

Guests can indulge in the hotel’s American style buffet breakfast, or relax and enjoy a breakfast served to their room.l The hotel’s onsite restaurant serves traditional French cuisine and, after a long day exploring the wine capital of the world, guests can enjoy a well earnt drink in the hotel bar.

The hotel has a garden area and outdoor terrace which some guest rooms are lucky enough to overlook.

There is a 24 hour front desk service, and daily housekeeping is available. Wifi is available, in all areas of the hotel, at no additional charge and pets are allowed at the hotel, although charges may be applicable.

Check in is from 14:00 and check out, any time until 12:00. Luggage storage is possible at the hotel, should you require it.
IMPORTANT INFO

General, visa, passport and health information

General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

The Medoc marathon is open to all the runners born before September 7th, 2000. Because you are taking part in a sporting event, you have to supply a medical certificate.

How to Book

Please click on the book now tab. At time of booking we require a non-refundable deposit per person plus any applicable entry fee. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at the latest, 12 weeks before departure to avoid the cancellation of your trip.

French Medical Certificate

A medical certificate is compulsory for those take part in any running event in France and is required to be printed and returned to Sports Tours International. The blank medical certificate will be provided with your booking confirmation for you to print and take to your doctor.

Single travellers and twin to share – READ MORE HERE

We welcome single travellers on our tours and holidays as it is a great way to join a like-minded group of people and you will make lots of new friends. If you would like to join our group as a single traveller we can offer you two options. A single room or if you want to avoid the single supplement then you can make use of our ‘twin to share’ option. We will pair you up with another traveller (of the same sex) and you can enjoy the event without having to pay extra.

General, visa, passport and health information

For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for France, and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues travel advice on destinations, which includes information on passports, visas, health, safety and security and more. For all information relating to France, please click HERE.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist sports travel insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in running events. There is additional information about our other Concierge Services on our special web page.
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