There comes to every person the realization that they are not as young or athletic as they once were. It came to me in Bordeaux. When I was overtaken by Obi-Wan Kenobi and lapped by Darth Vader. Even a Dalek overtook me.
Going uphill, only Jabba the Hutt was slower.
There are several ways to see the famous vineyards of Bordeaux and Medoc. You can go by car, by bicycle or do them on horseback. You can see them by hot air balloon or boat. And even by all-terrain vehicle. Or you can be chased through them by the Incredible Hulk.
Every year, the world's largest fine wine-growing region which produces more than 800 million bottles of wine every year, stages Le Marathon du Médoc - a 42.195-kilometre "fun run" which takes in 55 vineyards and passes 50 chateaux.
The course runs through famous wine-growing towns such as Saint-Estèphe, Leyssac, Marbuzet, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle and Le Pouyalet, home of Château Mouton Rothschild which, with Lafite and Latour, is one of the region's three Grand Crus classés appellations.
Each year, this unique race and sporting challenge has a different theme. From “Carnivals of the World” to this year’s theme “Funfair”.
I didn’t run or even amble in the race. I didn’t want to be humiliated by Carmen Miranda. And I'm too old for a monokini. And I have a feather allergy. I ran in the “Science Fiction” theme race.
Le Marathon is a resolutely convivial run. It's a good-time race.
The Medoc Marathon
Photo © Yves Mainguy/AMCM