Decanter World Wine AwardsInaugural Sauternes marathon to take place in June
- Wednesday 9 February 2011
Up to 1,000 competitors are expected to converge on Chateau Guiraud on 4 June for the race, which winds its way through the famous communes of Fargues, Bommes, Sauternes and Barsac.
All those completing the 26.2-mile course will receive a bottle of Sauternes, a medal and a t-shirt, while the winners of the men’s and women’s open categories will take home their weight in Sauternes, plus a magnum of Chateau d’Yquem.
A group of local organisations is backing the event, led by the AOC of Sauternes and Barsac under president of the organising committee, Chateau Guiraud director Xavier Planty.
The mainly flat course will pass more than 30 chateaux, and there’s an extra incentive for runners to get past the fabled “wall” of fatigue at the 20-mile mark – Yquem itself lies just a couple of miles from the finish at Chateau Filhot.
Many chateaux are planning to open their doors on the day of the event, while tastings and dinners are also being organised – including a carb-rich “pasta party” on the eve of the race.
Full details are available on the marathon website.
Have your say!
Marisa D'Vari
February 10 09:51
This sounds like an excellent way for the Sauternes region to improve their image with energetic health conscious consumers. The image of a woman winning a marathon with a bottle of dessert wine really reinforces the idea that this style can be enjoyed by the active set - not regulated to an "after dinner" sweet wine. Bravo to the creative team who created this.