Ballito’s version of famed Marathon du Mèdoc a spirited success

The unusual French marathon is a bucket list event among runners.

September 21, 2020

Penny Fourie 1 minute read

The first runner home in the ‘Marathon du Medoc’ on Saturday was Dolphin's Striders club runner Siboniso Mpanza. Photo: Penny Fourie

The famed Marathon du Mèdoc in France, dubbed the world’s most festive marathon, went virtual this year as a result of the global pandemic and the Dolphin Coast Striders did not hesitate to sign up.

The unusual French marathon, in its 36th year, is run through the wine-growing region in Pauillac just north of Bordeaux in South West France and is a bucket list event among runners.

Melanie Delainey sets a comfortable pace on day 3 of the 22.2km

The virtual race event organised in Ballito was hosted over 3 days from Thursday, September 10 to Saturday, September 12 with 48 participants running 5 kms on day 1, 15kms on day 2 and 22.2km on day 3.

The reason for Marathon du Mèdoc’s popularity?

The real marathon course has 20-plus stops en route where you can sample local wines (yes, at each one), take musical breaks to enjoy the 50-odd live bands along the route and experience oyster tasting at the 38km mark.

Connecting with teammates again are Andrew Carey, Jean Mackinnon, Ben Kilian, Kyle van den Heever and Matthew Sykes.

Fancy dress is mandatory – it is in the race rules. The male and female winners receive their weight in Médoc wine.

Njabulo Mdletshe waves our nation’s flag while running the marathon.

In short, this is a race where boozing, eating and partying is actively encouraged.

A run with a difference: Tammy Colley and Amanda Maidman.

While Ballito runners did not replicate all the stops en route, the colourful costumes runners wore on Saturday, tied in with this year’s theme, Cinema.