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The Slowest Marathon in the World
Combining running with wine tasting? Leave it to the French to invent a marathon that actually sounds like fun. And reporting from Medoc, France over a glass of magnificent red wine, I can confirm that it is.
The annual Marathon du Medoc in the Bordeaux region of France ended just a few hours ago in scorching heat of some 100F. Although the fastest man ran the 42-kilometer (26-mile) track in 2 hours and 28 minutes, most other people did not run this for the adrenaline as much as the "vino". Over 8000 people from all over the world came here to race through picturesque French villages dressed up in more or less creative costumes. I must say that there were disturbingly many men in drag or dressed up as babies, pacifier, diapers and everything. Pirates of the Caribbean and sailors of all kinds were a huge hit this year.
The marathon route goes through some of the best chateaux of this region and provide runners as well as spectators the opportunity to try Medoc's wine. Hence the slowest marathon in the world title.
If you haven't already, put this on your list of things to do before you die (or become lame). It is absolutely worth it.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Europe, France
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ed Sep 12th 2006 1:17PM
i've run it, and i can tell you it is amazing. the spectators are incredible, the views spectacular. it's one hell of a party.
Willy Sep 12th 2006 12:38PM
Are frilly, pink outfits required for the race...or do they help with conditioning?
Iva Sep 12th 2006 7:36PM
Not required, but definitely encouraged. There were some people who took the race very seriously, but the remaining 90 percent of them looked "pretty in pink". Some groups were even carrying large objects. A friend, who ran the race dressed up as a hunter, was sad when he got passed by a walking castle.