From: Citislik
Sent: 9/17/2009 1:56:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Marathon du Médoc
Hi
Merms,
As
Christa informed you Laurie and I were on the Marathon du Médoc
course for a very
long time; Laurie--6:10; Susan--6:35. However, as one of
our friends said, "what clock---
there should be none---it should be a fun run" because it's
ALL ABOUT THE WINE.
Yes,
it's a measured 42.2 km course but---there are 20 wine-tasting stops along the
way
and, believe me, those areas get very congested and no one runs
through them.
The
course goes through 55 vineyards and wine is served in plastic glasses; no
paper
cups here. There are water tables also but, again, it's ALL
ABOUT THE WINE.
This
marathon promotes itself as the world's longest marathon---lots of detours to
those wine tables.
The
course goes through the vineyards of the Médoc
region. The scenery is breath-
taking as are the chateaus.
Click image
to enlarge & back 
Much
of the course is trail-running as well as patches of small stones. The
latter make it
almost impossible to run on. Thankfully, the last 5K
is on asphalt.
Almost
everyone is in costume and there are lots of very creative runners out
there.
Laurie
was a rock-and-roller in her gorgeous pink poodle skirt and I was a clown in my
striped suspenders and big, big clown bow.
Click image to enlarge
& back 
BTW---when
you cross the finish line you are presented with a bottle of wine, a
decanter
and a bag to put them in...amazing. Most runners attain
their PW---personal worst---in
this marathon. That's the best part of the
experience. For anyone who needs a stress-
reliever this marathon is the cure.
If
you want more info go to www.marathondumedoc.com.
Thanks to
all the MERMS who personally sent emails congratulating us. Our
jet-setting
experience was a fabulous one.
Susan
Siderman