Marathon du Médoc 2026 Pauillac, France
Overview
Widely known as the “longest marathon in the world,” the Marathon du Médoc is a legendary “oeno-sporting” event that prioritizes celebration, gastronomy, and fine wine over athletic performance. On September 5, 2026, the 40th anniversary edition will welcome 8,500 runners to the prestigious vineyards of the Gironde region. The race is famous for its 23 wine-tasting stops along the 42.195 km course, where participants are served grand cru wines alongside local delicacies like oysters, foie gras, entrecôte steak, and even ice cream.
The 2026 edition is set to be particularly festive as it celebrates four decades of history. The mandatory fancy dress theme for 2026 is “The 80’s!”, encouraging a vibrant parade of neon leg warmers, pop icons, and retro aerobics legends through the scenic châteaux of Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe. While the event is a marathon by distance, the 6.5-hour time limit is designed to accommodate the “tasting” pace, making it a unique bucket-list experience that combines health, sport, and the French joie de vivre.
Event Highlights
- 40th Anniversary Celebration: A special edition featuring enhanced entertainment, historic retrospectives, and an even more festive atmosphere for the milestone year.
- Gourmet Refreshments: Skip the standard energy gels for 23 gourmet stops featuring world-class Médoc wines and regional specialties (cheese, grapes, steak, and more).
- “The 80’s” Fancy Dress: A mandatory costume requirement that transforms the vineyard landscape into a colorful moving carnival of 1980s pop culture.
- Château Route: The loop course traverses the grounds of over 50 legendary wine estates, including Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Pichon Longueville.
Why Attend
The Marathon du Médoc is the ultimate race for the “epicurean runner.” It is one of the few marathons in the world where the goal is often to finish as close to the time limit as possible to maximize the experience. For international travelers, it provides an unparalleled entry into the elite world of Bordeaux wines in a relaxed, humorous setting. The event is a full-weekend affair, often including the legendary Mille-Pâtes (Thousand Pasta) party on Friday night and a recovery vineyard walk and lunch on Sunday.
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Because of its global fame and strict limit of 8,500 participants, the race is notoriously difficult to enter, often receiving over 15,000 requests. Attending the 2026 edition offers the rare prestige of the 40th-anniversary medal and the chance to join a community that treats the marathon as a rolling theater performance. Whether you are an experienced marathoner looking for a “fun” break or a wine enthusiast looking for a physical challenge, the Médoc is a sensory experience that no other race can replicate.
Date & Duration
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026.
- Start Time: 9:30 AM (followed by a 6.5-hour time limit).
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Pauillac (Gironde), France.
- Venue: Departure and Arrival on the Quays of Pauillac.
- Google Maps Address: Quai Léon Perrier, 33250 Pauillac, France.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Registration opens via the official website (usually in March); places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and sell out instantly.
- Admission Type: Paid registration. Participants must be at least 21 years old on race day.
- Ticket Pricing (2026 Rates): * Standard Bib:110€ (includes race entry and gifts).
- Festive/Initiation Packs: 140€ – 165€ (includes race entry + themed dinners).
- Prestige Pack: 226€ (includes bib, Mille-Pâtes dinner, and Sunday Walk/Lunch).
- Admission Type: Runners must provide a Health Prevention Course (PPS) certificate completed after June 5, 2026.
- Special Seating or VIP Options: Various tour operators offer “all-inclusive” 4-night packages ranging from $2,300 to $3,900 which include guaranteed entry, luxury accommodation, and transport.
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Contact Information
- Email: 2026@marathondumedoc.com
- Phone: +33 5 56 59 17 20
- Website: https://www.marathondumedoc.com/en/
- Social Media:
- https://www.facebook.com/marathon.dumedoc/
- https://twitter.com/webtvmedoc?lang=fr
- https://www.instagram.com/marathondumedoc/
- http://www.dailymotion.com/MARATHONDUMEDOC
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD), 50 km (~1 hour drive to Pauillac).
- Public Transport: Regional trains (TER) run from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Pauillac; specialized shuttle buses are often available for purchase via the event registration for Friday/Sunday.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Pre-booked private transfers from Bordeaux cost approximately $120–160.
- Parking: Free designated parking lots are available at the entrance of Pauillac, but arrive before 7:30 AM as roads close early for the race.
- Other Access: Many participants stay in Bordeaux and use the official event coaches to avoid driving after the wine tastings.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Cordeillan-Bages (5-star, 2 km, located in a vineyard with a Michelin-star restaurant, ~$450–700/night); InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel (5-star, 50 km in Bordeaux center, ~$400–600/night).
- Mid-Range Options: Hôtel de France et d’Angleterre (3-star, 0.5 km, historic and central in Pauillac, ~$150–220/night); Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons (4-star, 48 km, ~$140–200/night).
- Budget Stays: Ibis Budget Bordeaux Centre (2-star, 50 km, reliable budget option, ~$70–110/night); camping options are available near the Hourtin lake (~20 km from start).
Reviews
- The most fun I’ve ever had while suffering for 26 miles. The oysters at mile 23 were a risky but amazing choice!
- Don’t come here for a Personal Best. Come here for the wine, the incredible costumes, and the best atmosphere in running.
- The Sunday vineyard walk is the perfect way to recover—it’s essentially a second marathon but at a walking pace with more wine.
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FAQ's
When does registration officially open for the 2026 race?
Registration for the 2026 Marathon du Médoc is expected to open in March 2026. Due to extreme demand, it is highly recommended to sign up for the newsletter on the official website to receive the exact opening time and date. Usually, the "Pack" options (which include dinners) are the first to sell out, often within minutes of the site going live.
Do I really have to wear a costume to participate?
Yes, wearing a costume is a mandatory tradition of the race and over 95% of participants dress up according to the yearly theme. For 2026, the theme is "The 80's," and the organizers reward the most creative costumes with their weight in Médoc wine at the finish line. If you run in standard professional running gear, you will still be allowed to race, but you will miss out on the true spirit of the event.
How does the medical certificate requirement work for 2026?
As of 2026, the French Athletics Federation (FFA) requires a Health Prevention Course (PPS) instead of a traditional doctor's note for many races. You must complete a short online health educational module on the official FFA platform and upload the resulting certificate to your registration profile. To be valid for the September 5th race, this course must be completed no earlier than three months before the event (after June 5, 2026).
Is the wine at the tasting stops compulsory?
Of course not! While the wine is the main attraction, water, specialized sports drinks, and fruit are provided at every single stop. Many serious runners participate for the scenery and atmosphere while sticking to water, but the majority find that a few sips of Grand Cru help with the "spirit" of the race. However, be aware that the 6.5-hour time limit is generous, but the combination of heat and alcohol can make the final 10 km very challenging.
Can my family join me for the vineyard dinners and the Sunday walk?
Yes, but you must purchase separate tickets for them during the registration process in March. The Friday Mille-Pâtes party and the Sunday Walk/Lunch are very popular and have limited capacity, so they must be booked well in advance. The Sunday walk is a great way for supporters to experience the vineyards at a slower pace alongside the runners who are "recovering" from the day before.
