The party began the previous night in a chateau of the region, a big marquee was set up, tables were set and baguettes and bottles of wine at the ready. It was the 'Mille pâtés' - thousand pasta party, of the night before with the excuse being you needed the carbohydrate fuel for the next day. An excuse it surely was. To drink that is. Two magnums and a bottle of wine for every 6 or so people meant in effect bottomless wine. We weren't there to get drunk though, just have a good time and that we did. Plentiful food, Congo lines to the tunes of Sweet Home Alabama - which I think was heard repeatedly during the course of the marathon also. Nicely rounded by a display of fireworks.
Retreating to bed past 1am and knowing we had to be up in a few hours, I was already feeling the pain. With our 5am wake up call though, a little more excitement followed. Science fiction was the theme of 2013 - the 29th edition. Our last minute efforts left little to be desired and vowing to be more organised for next year - 30th year.
With a plan to start drinking after running the first half marathon, this plan failed upon the first wine stop, which was less than 2kms into the run. It was going to be a long day! It ended up being the perfect way to enjoy the race, no pressure, no time constraints, just a view to enjoy all the wine stops, food stops, atmosphere, music and view that greeted us every km of the way. Every km there was something. If not a wine stop, then a food and water stop, if not that, then music. Unofficially, the locals with foie gras, saucisson, baguettes and various other treats! The coca cola was much welcomed! The little local kids, older men and women cheering and chanting from the sidelines and calling out your name was simply amazing (Allez! Annie). Was I running that slow?
With the amount of wine on offer, I am surprised that we didn't see any disorderly behaviour. Guys carrying plastic bottles and wine glasses whilst running yes, Germans running with a cart of beer for they did not fancy wine, but, no worst. I guess it was a marathon that commanded some order after-all? Unlikely to be the reason.
The official food stops began at about the 37km mark- oysters, steak and ice cream. At the 41km mark there was a sign 'Le beaute finalement' (or something like that) and a mirror, and also an offering of face painting. I guess it was your last chance to pretty yourself up for the cameras when crossing the finish line. Nice touch.
It the end we took 6hours 22minutes. The official cut off time before roads to open and you get your wine in a wooden box was 6h30mins. I do imagine you would still receive the wine. Could you walk it? Not really. We walked parts but not the whole way. When we were running it was probably at the 6-7min/km mark, often slower. Can you bike it? There were people entering on some of the roads on bike but you can't bike the whole way.
The final touch that was ever so welcoming was the showers set up with hot water in Paulliac after the race. Oh and the delicious fresh canneles and foie gras stands. #yum#ouch#cantwaittodoitagain
What other marathon map has the wine and food stops as key markers of the route map.
