by thinkmarsh | Feb 21, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
I never thought I would complete a race that was longer than a marathon. (In face it wasn’t too long ago that I thought I would never run a marathon). Rather than do things half-ass, I decided my first ultra should be a multi-stage race abroad and be in the desert. For this who don’t know, any ultra marathon is anything over 26.2 miles (although some say over 30 miles). Since I completed the race in October 2018, the Wadi Rum Ultra has re-branded to be Ultra X Jordan as part of the Ultra X Co’s strategy to become the World Championship of Ultra running. This year they are hosting races in Sri Lanka, Mexico and Jordan. Next year, new locations (Bolivia and Azores) will be added.
There is no way my normal race review format can cover the complexity of this race. I am working on a vblog to show you the landscape and also have lots of kit to tell you about. To hold you over until then, here is a brief overview of the race.
 |
| What you will see along the route |
Entries and fees: In 2018, Ultra X Jordan registration fee was £895 for accommodation in Amman and during race, transport to/from race plus Petra and race entry, Jordan visa, a celebratory BBQ and beer on day of finish. In addition, there were three doctors on the team to administer medication and treat wounds (mostly foot blisters) and two osteopaths to offer daily treatments such as massages, assisted stretching and foot wound care. The 2019 registration fee is £995 for individuals or £890/pp for teams of three or more.
Course and bogs: The course was 250km through Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley. It varied from day to day (and slightly year to year) with multiple campsites along the way. We ran: 40km, 55km, 70km, 50km and then 37km over the five days. No toilets along the course but two of the three camps had toilets and showers. Nights one and two were at the first camp which offered canvas shelters, light bulbs (but no outlets to charge anything) and running water in the bathroom and showers. The next camp was affectionately called ‘Rock Camp’ because we slept on a giant boulder without electricity, water or toilets. There were blankets and cushions to sleep on but it was quite windy and therefore chilly. Camp three was a magical 1980’s oasis. Proper beds (two per canvas cabin), tables, chairs, a cash bar, and running water in toilets and showers. I have never been so happy to see a can of full fat Coke in my life.
 |
| Day 1 start line |
Location: The idea behind Ultra X races is to offer an amazing five day race experience so you only have to take one week off of work. Jordan’s desert valley did not disappointment. Many of the other runners added a few days to their itinerary to explore the country further. Temperature were 30 degrees plus during the day.
Atmosphere: Due to the location, there isn’t anyone to cheer for you along the course but the crew made up for this. It was ace seeing a friendly face every 10km. You also would occasionally get a 4×4 Toyota truck with tourists shout at you as they drove by.
Race bling and goody bag: Sadly, no medal this year but we did get a branded cotton t-shirt. I had lots of time to think along the way and will probably get a custom necklace off of Etsy that says “Grit”. Everyone was sad there was no medal and I sure Ultra X has taken that feedback on board. No goody bag either but we did get cold beers and dinner after the race.
 |
| Sunset stretch class after Day 1 |
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Learn about the local culture and what to wear: It is a conservative Muslim country and you need to be aware of that. When we were in the desert, we were a bit isolated, which allowed the cultural rules to be relaxed but in Amman and Petra, we were Amman, we needed to be respectful.
- Learn about how the toilets work and carry your own toilet paper: I am still not exactly sure what the ‘bum gun’ was officially for but I do know not to flush the toilet paper. Be prepared and keep some toilet paper or tissues on your any time you leave the hotel.
- Make sure to strength train to combat the shifting sand effectively: It was extremely hard to train for running in shifting sand while living in London. The best thing to do is to strength train and make sure you have strong ankles and supportive shoes.
 |
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
- Wear sweat-proof sunscreen: I was shocked to spend £13 for 77g of sunscreen at My Race Kit (It is special stuff that the sand won’t stick to). However, I didn’t get a sunburn, nor did I have to carry around a sunscreen bottle to re-apply so it was worth every scent.
- Book a few extra days if you can: It is a beautiful part of the world and there is lots to see (think Petra and the Red Sea). It will also get you time to acclimatize or recover.
- Come with a plan B: Not many of the participant’s races seemed to go to plan. There were injuries, food poisoning, muscle pulls, and blisters galore. Approach the race with the flexibility of a Plan B in case your situation changes so you won’t be too disappointed.
- Pack a variety of food. Nutella is a good chocolate substitute: I met Steven via a Whatsapp group as five of us were arriving one night early. The day before we set off for the desert, Steven and I were discussing our concern for the lack of chocolate in the desert (chocolate and high temps don’t mix). We soon discovered that Nutella is an excellent compromise.
- Don’t drink the water but don’t be wasteful either: If you are not a local, it is not advisable to drink the tap water in Jordan. During the race, you are provided with bottled water. There are a lot of resources that goes into bottling the water, transporting it to the race camps, and then disposing of the bottles that I encourage you to drink what you need in a eco-conscious and responsible way.
 |
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. This race was number three of four.
by Mollie Millington | Feb 21, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
I never thought I would complete a race that was longer than a marathon. (In face it wasn’t too long ago that I thought I would never run a marathon). Rather than do things half-ass, I decided my first ultra should be a multi-stage race abroad and be in the desert. For this who don’t know, any ultra marathon is anything over 26.2 miles (although some say over 30 miles). Since I completed the race in October 2018, the Wadi Rum Ultra has re-branded to be Ultra X Jordan as part of the Ultra X Co’s strategy to become the World Championship of Ultra running. This year they are hosting races in Sri Lanka, Mexico and Jordan. Next year, new locations (Bolivia and Azores) will be added.
There is no way my normal race review format can cover the complexity of this race. I am working on a vblog to show you the landscape and also have lots of kit to tell you about. To hold you over until then, here is a brief overview of the race.
|
| What you will see along the route |
Entries and fees: In 2018, Ultra X Jordan registration fee was £895 for accommodation in Amman and during race, transport to/from race plus Petra and race entry, Jordan visa, a celebratory BBQ and beer on day of finish. In addition, there were three doctors on the team to administer medication and treat wounds (mostly foot blisters) and two osteopaths to offer daily treatments such as massages, assisted stretching and foot wound care. The 2019 registration fee is £995 for individuals or £890/pp for teams of three or more.
Course and bogs: The course was 250km through Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley. It varied from day to day (and slightly year to year) with multiple campsites along the way. We ran: 40km, 55km, 70km, 50km and then 37km over the five days. No toilets along the course but two of the three camps had toilets and showers. Nights one and two were at the first camp which offered canvas shelters, light bulbs (but no outlets to charge anything) and running water in the bathroom and showers. The next camp was affectionately called ‘Rock Camp’ because we slept on a giant boulder without electricity, water or toilets. There were blankets and cushions to sleep on but it was quite windy and therefore chilly. Camp three was a magical 1980’s oasis. Proper beds (two per canvas cabin), tables, chairs, a cash bar, and running water in toilets and showers. I have never been so happy to see a can of full fat Coke in my life.
|
| Day 1 start line |
Location: The idea behind Ultra X races is to offer an amazing five day race experience so you only have to take one week off of work. Jordan’s desert valley did not disappointment. Many of the other runners added a few days to their itinerary to explore the country further. Temperature were 30 degrees plus during the day.
Atmosphere: Due to the location, there isn’t anyone to cheer for you along the course but the crew made up for this. It was ace seeing a friendly face every 10km. You also would occasionally get a 4×4 Toyota truck with tourists shout at you as they drove by.
Race bling and goody bag: Sadly, no medal this year but we did get a branded cotton t-shirt. I had lots of time to think along the way and will probably get a custom necklace off of Etsy that says “Grit”. Everyone was sad there was no medal and I sure Ultra X has taken that feedback on board. No goody bag either but we did get cold beers and dinner after the race.
|
| Sunset stretch class after Day 1 |
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Learn about the local culture and what to wear: It is a conservative Muslim country and you need to be aware of that. When we were in the desert, we were a bit isolated, which allowed the cultural rules to be relaxed but in Amman and Petra, we were Amman, we needed to be respectful.
- Learn about how the toilets work and carry your own toilet paper: I am still not exactly sure what the ‘bum gun’ was officially for but I do know not to flush the toilet paper. Be prepared and keep some toilet paper or tissues on your any time you leave the hotel.
- Make sure to strength train to combat the shifting sand effectively: It was extremely hard to train for running in shifting sand while living in London. The best thing to do is to strength train and make sure you have strong ankles and supportive shoes.
|
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
- Wear sweat-proof sunscreen: I was shocked to spend £13 for 77g of sunscreen at My Race Kit (It is special stuff that the sand won’t stick to). However, I didn’t get a sunburn, nor did I have to carry around a sunscreen bottle to re-apply so it was worth every scent.
- Book a few extra days if you can: It is a beautiful part of the world and there is lots to see (think Petra and the Red Sea). It will also get you time to acclimatize or recover.
- Come with a plan B: Not many of the participant’s races seemed to go to plan. There were injuries, food poisoning, muscle pulls, and blisters galore. Approach the race with the flexibility of a Plan B in case your situation changes so you won’t be too disappointed.
- Pack a variety of food. Nutella is a good chocolate substitute: I met Steven via a Whatsapp group as five of us were arriving one night early. The day before we set off for the desert, Steven and I were discussing our concern for the lack of chocolate in the desert (chocolate and high temps don’t mix). We soon discovered that Nutella is an excellent compromise.
- Don’t drink the water but don’t be wasteful either: If you are not a local, it is not advisable to drink the tap water in Jordan. During the race, you are provided with bottled water. There are a lot of resources that goes into bottling the water, transporting it to the race camps, and then disposing of the bottles that I encourage you to drink what you need in a eco-conscious and responsible way.
|
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. This race was number three of four.
by thinkmarsh | Nov 23, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post
|
| Ragnar Randoms- ready to go at the start line. Photo from team captain, Natalie. |
Ragar Relay has been on my radar for a while. It is HUGE in the USA and my sister-in-law takes part a few times a year (she is really fit BTW). This year was the second year it was held in the UK and I think it lived up to the hype (aside from the typical British weather). If you like adventure, sleeping in smelly cars, and have some friends who also enjoy running, this might be the perfect race for you.
 |
| Ready to run. |
Entries and fees: The entry fee was £95 per person as we entered in April with an early bird fee.. Then we had to add on van hire, petrol, team t-shirts, van decorations, and transport to the start and back home again. We decided to keep it as affordable as possible. Some teams also made magnets to put on other cars but we skipped this. Maybe if we had been more organized, we could have done it. Most people on the team brought food and snacks for 24 hours, although we were given bags full of candy, snacks, and energy drinks at the start.
The race had staggered start based on submitted average run times. We started at 10am which was perfect as no one had to sleep near the start line. Before you start, there is a safety check of high vis, head torches and back lights, as well as a compulsory safety video. All of the Ragnar staff at the start area were super helpful.
 |
| Running along the sea |
Course and bogs: The course was a little different than last year. We started near Sittingbourne and ended in Brighton, running along the coast as much as possible. I was super excited to see the White Cliffs of Dover (it was a big selling point when deciding to sign up). Unfortunately, it was dark when I ran over them so I will need to go back another time. I did spot some chalk in the mud as I climbed up the cliff path to overlook port of Dover.
The majority of the checkpoints were small car parks or along the side of the road. Every 5th checkpoints was big as the teams hand over to their other vehicle. There were stands with coffee, a small selection of food, and of course, port-a-loos. The small check points also had port-a-loos but they didn’t always have toilet paper.
We had terrible, cold rainy weather the weekend of our race. Four legs were cancelled due to the rain and unsafe conditions, some later in the day. Unfortunately, one of them was the Ragnar Leg (27 out of 30, which earns the person who completes it an extra medal). The organizers decided to give the medal to one team member who ran the last two legs. The only thing was (due to logistics) that they gave you the medal before you actually ran either. Our fearless captain, Natalie, was due to run the Ragnar Leg. She dug deep and was able to run the last two legs, which were the equivalent of a half marathon, after living in a van for over 24 hours with barely any sleep. Well done, Nat!
 |
| T-shirt with a summary of the weekend. |
Location: Ragnar Relay started off in the USA and are now expanding globally. This race was along the southeast coast of London, covering about 120 miles. This was split between each team of 10 (although you can also do as a team of 5 for an ultra Ragnar). It seemed like most of the runs this year were in the rain and/or dark though, which was a bummer.
There is a Ragnar Relay app, which gave you info on all the checkpoints, but I didn’t find it very helpful when I got lost in a cow field. It was crucial when we were racing runners from checkpoint to checkpoint though. Be sure to pack a mobile phone holder that attaches to the windshield to hold your phone as you navigate from check point to check point.
In June 2019, Ragnar Relay is headed to Sweden and I would love to take part! Who’s in?
 |
| Night stage was full of disco lights and high-vis |
Atmosphere: My team had great banter over WhatsApp and very fun vibes in my van. At the big exchanges, everyone was chatty and friendly, even though the weather was grim. There really weren’t any spectators cheering you along the route on however, so at times it was a bit lonely. There was also potential to get lost because the sign posts were only at major junctions. You were supposed to be able to follow along on the app, but I struggled with this (I don’t get along with technology). The race does give you a chance to enjoy nature if you had a leg through the woods or along the coast. The runners were really spread out due to staggered starts and hand over logistics.
Race bling and goody bag: The team was given 10 medals that interlock with each other. On the back of each one is a Ragnar Relay quote, some of which resonated with each team member. I wasn’t too choosy, so I let everyone else have first dibs on their medals. At the end, everyone was given a free drink token and a voucher for one (small) pizza to share. Most of the goodies were in the bags given to each van at the start. Also included in the starter bags were sunscreen, lanyards, ear plugs, and disposable rain ponchos.
 |
| We did it! Celebrating at the finish line. Photo from Paz. |
Tips if you want to take part next time: Before Ragnar Relay, I had completed a few relay events, some while camping (at the Spitfire Scramble) and some while on the road (Fitbit Fifty). Here are my tips for Ragnar Relay:
- Practice running at weird hours so you know what to eat, how cold/hot you will get, and feel comfortable running in the dark.
- Pack a Dry Robe, blanket, or sleeping bag. I did none of these as I was on public transport and 100% regret it. A pillow is a good idea too (maybe an inflatable one?)
- Aim to get to the next checkpoint ASAP rather than leisurely change your clothes. We were late a few times and felt bad to have our team mate waiting in the rain.
- Discuss with the team who is bringing what. You only need one foam roller per van but everyone needs their own battery pack to charge their phones.
- You will need to bring water but will not be able to eat all of the food. We had time to go out for pizza on the earlier break when Van 2 was running but then slept during our second break.
- Bring along a new set of clothes for each leg, and then pack another. I would have run the last leg if I had dry kit to wear. The sun was out and most of the team was running.
- Keep the sweaty clothes in big zip lock bags to prevent the car from stinking up.
- Make sure you have enough data on your mobile plan for all of the WhatsApp chats.
Some of the above I got from other people before I ran the race. Do you have any others to add? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. You can click here to learn about their new Active Plan, which is perfect for people who like to stay fit and healthy.
by Mollie Millington | Nov 23, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post
|
| Ragnar Randoms- ready to go at the start line. Photo from team captain, Natalie. |
Ragar Relay has been on my radar for a while. It is HUGE in the USA and my sister-in-law takes part a few times a year (she is really fit BTW). This year was the second year it was held in the UK and I think it lived up to the hype (aside from the typical British weather). If you like adventure, sleeping in smelly cars, and have some friends who also enjoy running, this might be the perfect race for you.
|
| Ready to run. |
Entries and fees: The entry fee was £95 per person as we entered in April with an early bird fee.. Then we had to add on van hire, petrol, team t-shirts, van decorations, and transport to the start and back home again. We decided to keep it as affordable as possible. Some teams also made magnets to put on other cars but we skipped this. Maybe if we had been more organized, we could have done it. Most people on the team brought food and snacks for 24 hours, although we were given bags full of candy, snacks, and energy drinks at the start.
The race had staggered start based on submitted average run times. We started at 10am which was perfect as no one had to sleep near the start line. Before you start, there is a safety check of high vis, head torches and back lights, as well as a compulsory safety video. All of the Ragnar staff at the start area were super helpful.
|
| Running along the sea |
Course and bogs: The course was a little different than last year. We started near Sittingbourne and ended in Brighton, running along the coast as much as possible. I was super excited to see the White Cliffs of Dover (it was a big selling point when deciding to sign up). Unfortunately, it was dark when I ran over them so I will need to go back another time. I did spot some chalk in the mud as I climbed up the cliff path to overlook port of Dover.
The majority of the checkpoints were small car parks or along the side of the road. Every 5th checkpoints was big as the teams hand over to their other vehicle. There were stands with coffee, a small selection of food, and of course, port-a-loos. The small check points also had port-a-loos but they didn’t always have toilet paper.
We had terrible, cold rainy weather the weekend of our race. Four legs were cancelled due to the rain and unsafe conditions, some later in the day. Unfortunately, one of them was the Ragnar Leg (27 out of 30, which earns the person who completes it an extra medal). The organizers decided to give the medal to one team member who ran the last two legs. The only thing was (due to logistics) that they gave you the medal before you actually ran either. Our fearless captain, Natalie, was due to run the Ragnar Leg. She dug deep and was able to run the last two legs, which were the equivalent of a half marathon, after living in a van for over 24 hours with barely any sleep. Well done, Nat!
|
| T-shirt with a summary of the weekend. |
Location: Ragnar Relay started off in the USA and are now expanding globally. This race was along the southeast coast of London, covering about 120 miles. This was split between each team of 10 (although you can also do as a team of 5 for an ultra Ragnar). It seemed like most of the runs this year were in the rain and/or dark though, which was a bummer.
There is a Ragnar Relay app, which gave you info on all the checkpoints, but I didn’t find it very helpful when I got lost in a cow field. It was crucial when we were racing runners from checkpoint to checkpoint though. Be sure to pack a mobile phone holder that attaches to the windshield to hold your phone as you navigate from check point to check point.
In June 2019, Ragnar Relay is headed to Sweden and I would love to take part! Who’s in?
|
| Night stage was full of disco lights and high-vis |
Atmosphere: My team had great banter over WhatsApp and very fun vibes in my van. At the big exchanges, everyone was chatty and friendly, even though the weather was grim. There really weren’t any spectators cheering you along the route on however, so at times it was a bit lonely. There was also potential to get lost because the sign posts were only at major junctions. You were supposed to be able to follow along on the app, but I struggled with this (I don’t get along with technology). The race does give you a chance to enjoy nature if you had a leg through the woods or along the coast. The runners were really spread out due to staggered starts and hand over logistics.
Race bling and goody bag: The team was given 10 medals that interlock with each other. On the back of each one is a Ragnar Relay quote, some of which resonated with each team member. I wasn’t too choosy, so I let everyone else have first dibs on their medals. At the end, everyone was given a free drink token and a voucher for one (small) pizza to share. Most of the goodies were in the bags given to each van at the start. Also included in the starter bags were sunscreen, lanyards, ear plugs, and disposable rain ponchos.
|
| We did it! Celebrating at the finish line. Photo from Paz. |
Tips if you want to take part next time: Before Ragnar Relay, I had completed a few relay events, some while camping (at the Spitfire Scramble) and some while on the road (Fitbit Fifty). Here are my tips for Ragnar Relay:
- Practice running at weird hours so you know what to eat, how cold/hot you will get, and feel comfortable running in the dark.
- Pack a Dry Robe, blanket, or sleeping bag. I did none of these as I was on public transport and 100% regret it. A pillow is a good idea too (maybe an inflatable one?)
- Aim to get to the next checkpoint ASAP rather than leisurely change your clothes. We were late a few times and felt bad to have our team mate waiting in the rain.
- Discuss with the team who is bringing what. You only need one foam roller per van but everyone needs their own battery pack to charge their phones.
- You will need to bring water but will not be able to eat all of the food. We had time to go out for pizza on the earlier break when Van 2 was running but then slept during our second break.
- Bring along a new set of clothes for each leg, and then pack another. I would have run the last leg if I had dry kit to wear. The sun was out and most of the team was running.
- Keep the sweaty clothes in big zip lock bags to prevent the car from stinking up.
- Make sure you have enough data on your mobile plan for all of the WhatsApp chats.
Some of the above I got from other people before I ran the race. Do you have any others to add? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. You can click here to learn about their new Active Plan, which is perfect for people who like to stay fit and healthy.
by thinkmarsh | Sep 20, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
|
| What you will see most of the race- runners and grapevines. |
Have you ever heard of the Marathon du Medoc? This no-pressure race was the first in my 4×4 challenge. It is quite famous in France, as well as among the international running community, for its unique format. Fancy dress (costumes) are mandatory and wine it offered alongside water at all the refreshment stations. Many of my London running friends have done it before. A group of them had a spare place which gave me the opportunity to run the race this year. I love to explore new places by taking part in running events. This trip was no exception.
 |
| It seems a bit odd to be running on these gorgeous estates, but hey ho. |
Race entries and fees: This is by no means a cheap race. Registration was about €80, which included a really nice technical running t-shirt (women- size up as the women’s cuts is extremely form fitting), small branded drawstring bag, food and wine along course, “lucky dip” bottle of wine from one of the wineries along the course in a really nice wooden box, a cooler bag, finishing line rose for female finishers, a plastic cup for the after party, medal, and more food and drinks after the finish. Add on top to the cost of the registration fee the transportation and accommodation costs, especially if you decide to stay in Bordeaux rather than Pauillac.
 |
| Line for the loos |
Course and bogs: The course starts along the Pauillac riverside and winds through the vineyards of the Medoc region. Some of the course is paved and some on loose gravel and dirt. The start is a bit conjested due to the narrow town streets and plenty of runners but people start to spread out after the first and second wine stops. Of course, the scenery along the scenery is a very pretty due to the surrounding vineyards. We were spoiled by blue skies and sunshine too.
There are plenty of toilets in the start area compared to the number of entrants. I was really disappointed at the number of port-a-loos along the course through. There was a lot of peeing on the vineyards, which looked funny when several men dressed the same lined up adjacent rows.
The bag drop was a bit of a faff as all bags were searched, then a label was handwritten by someone else and attached before the bag was placed in a big trolley. Later, you collect your bag, they look at your bib for your number, then asked you in French ‘what color your bag was’ (I think) and dug through a large pile of bags.
 |
| Few members of Team FOOD! |
Location: Pauillac France, about an hour drive north of Bordeaux. You can fly direct to Bordeaux or take a train to Paris, then another to Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, there are occasional trains, a local coach (bus) service or the marathon has a private shuttle service organized too. Each option runs at a specific timetable which you should check before booking. Half of our group took trains via Paris and the other fly to Bordeaux.
 |
| Refreshment station |
Atmosphere: Was absolutely amazing! Everyone at the start line was happy and relaxed with the goal of having a good time. So many people from the local community were out too, both cheering us on and volunteering at the numerous refreshments stations. Many people put picnic tables out along the road and were enjoying meals as we ran by.
 |
| Goody bag was ace! |
Race bling and goody bag: Last year’s medal was in the shape of a guitar because the theme for the race was music. This year’s theme was amusement parks. The medal was round and had the roller coaster logo in the center.
 |
| Race 1 of my 4×4 challenge done! |
After you get your medal and bottle of wine, you can enter the after party tent, where there is more wine, beer, and snacks. We were a bit rushed for time at the end because we wanted to make the shuttle bus back to Bordeaux. Thirty minutes was enough time to have a few drinks before hopping on a hot bus and getting stuck in traffic. At least no one from our group got sick, unless some of the other passengers.
 |
| Team FOOD finishing hand-in-hand. |
Tips if you want to take part next time (from me and my teammates):
- Plan ahead. Accommodation is very limited in Pauillac. There are shuttle buses and trains but you need to book in advance. Pay attention to the booking cut off dates!
- Add a day or two on to your trip and enjoy Paris (especially if you have never been).
 |
| Matt and Pippa ended up slowly cutting off bits of their costume along the way. |
- Consider how hot and heavy your costume will be. If you are running with friends, matching costumes might make it easier to spot each other in the crowds. I was surprised to see that not all costumes were related to this year’s theme. There were lots of minions and Disney characters. You can be as creative as you want.
- Don’t forget you will be running a marathon. It is easy to get caught up in the other details for this event but you will be on your feet for about 6 hours if you enjoy the refreshment stations. You can take it at a party pace but it is still a lot of time on your foot.
 |
| Oysters, steak and ice cream are available at the last few refreshment stations. |
- The race website is extremely hard to navigate. The translations are poor which can be frustrating when you are trying to find the answer to something (like when the shuttle buses are).
- Pack medication for tummy troubles. Basically, we broke all of the normal pre-race rules by drinking the night before the race, staying up late the night before the race, and eating different foods like rich cheese and wine. I was suffering a bit from stomach issues on the course and wasn’t able to find an open pharmacy over the weekend until 11pm on Sunday night in Paris. It was not ideal.
 |
| Cheers! |
- Bring your friends and make some new ones along the way. There is plenty of time to meet other runners at the pasta party, race, and after party.
- Stay hydrated! We had unseasonable temps this year. Although you only get a few shots of wine at each refreshment station (I wasn’t even buzzing at the end of the race), keep drinking water along the way.
Have you ever completed Marathon du Medoc or something similar? Let me know in the comments below.
Post script: My teammate, Melanie, says she likes the little quirks of the race (website, bag drop, transport) and thinks is what makes it more of an adventure. I say there is a race out there for everybody!
 |
| One of the large ducks we had to avoid being run over by. |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 challenge. If you enjoy living an active lifestyle, check out their new Active Plan.
by Mollie Millington | Sep 20, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
|
| What you will see most of the race- runners and grapevines. |
Have you ever heard of the Marathon du Medoc? This no-pressure race was the first in my 4×4 challenge. It is quite famous in France, as well as among the international running community, for its unique format. Fancy dress (costumes) are mandatory and wine it offered alongside water at all the refreshment stations. Many of my London running friends have done it before. A group of them had a spare place which gave me the opportunity to run the race this year. I love to explore new places by taking part in running events. This trip was no exception.
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| It seems a bit odd to be running on these gorgeous estates, but hey ho. |
Race entries and fees: This is by no means a cheap race. Registration was about €80, which included a really nice technical running t-shirt (women- size up as the women’s cuts is extremely form fitting), small branded drawstring bag, food and wine along course, “lucky dip” bottle of wine from one of the wineries along the course in a really nice wooden box, a cooler bag, finishing line rose for female finishers, a plastic cup for the after party, medal, and more food and drinks after the finish. Add on top to the cost of the registration fee the transportation and accommodation costs, especially if you decide to stay in Bordeaux rather than Pauillac.
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| Line for the loos |
Course and bogs: The course starts along the Pauillac riverside and winds through the vineyards of the Medoc region. Some of the course is paved and some on loose gravel and dirt. The start is a bit conjested due to the narrow town streets and plenty of runners but people start to spread out after the first and second wine stops. Of course, the scenery along the scenery is a very pretty due to the surrounding vineyards. We were spoiled by blue skies and sunshine too.
There are plenty of toilets in the start area compared to the number of entrants. I was really disappointed at the number of port-a-loos along the course through. There was a lot of peeing on the vineyards, which looked funny when several men dressed the same lined up adjacent rows.
The bag drop was a bit of a faff as all bags were searched, then a label was handwritten by someone else and attached before the bag was placed in a big trolley. Later, you collect your bag, they look at your bib for your number, then asked you in French ‘what color your bag was’ (I think) and dug through a large pile of bags.
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| Few members of Team FOOD! |
Location: Pauillac France, about an hour drive north of Bordeaux. You can fly direct to Bordeaux or take a train to Paris, then another to Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, there are occasional trains, a local coach (bus) service or the marathon has a private shuttle service organized too. Each option runs at a specific timetable which you should check before booking. Half of our group took trains via Paris and the other fly to Bordeaux.
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| Refreshment station |
Atmosphere: Was absolutely amazing! Everyone at the start line was happy and relaxed with the goal of having a good time. So many people from the local community were out too, both cheering us on and volunteering at the numerous refreshments stations. Many people put picnic tables out along the road and were enjoying meals as we ran by.
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| Goody bag was ace! |
Race bling and goody bag: Last year’s medal was in the shape of a guitar because the theme for the race was music. This year’s theme was amusement parks. The medal was round and had the roller coaster logo in the center.
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| Race 1 of my 4×4 challenge done! |
After you get your medal and bottle of wine, you can enter the after party tent, where there is more wine, beer, and snacks. We were a bit rushed for time at the end because we wanted to make the shuttle bus back to Bordeaux. Thirty minutes was enough time to have a few drinks before hopping on a hot bus and getting stuck in traffic. At least no one from our group got sick, unless some of the other passengers.
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| Team FOOD finishing hand-in-hand. |
Tips if you want to take part next time (from me and my teammates):
- Plan ahead. Accommodation is very limited in Pauillac. There are shuttle buses and trains but you need to book in advance. Pay attention to the booking cut off dates!
- Add a day or two on to your trip and enjoy Paris (especially if you have never been).
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| Matt and Pippa ended up slowly cutting off bits of their costume along the way. |
- Consider how hot and heavy your costume will be. If you are running with friends, matching costumes might make it easier to spot each other in the crowds. I was surprised to see that not all costumes were related to this year’s theme. There were lots of minions and Disney characters. You can be as creative as you want.
- Don’t forget you will be running a marathon. It is easy to get caught up in the other details for this event but you will be on your feet for about 6 hours if you enjoy the refreshment stations. You can take it at a party pace but it is still a lot of time on your foot.
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| Oysters, steak and ice cream are available at the last few refreshment stations. |
- The race website is extremely hard to navigate. The translations are poor which can be frustrating when you are trying to find the answer to something (like when the shuttle buses are).
- Pack medication for tummy troubles. Basically, we broke all of the normal pre-race rules by drinking the night before the race, staying up late the night before the race, and eating different foods like rich cheese and wine. I was suffering a bit from stomach issues on the course and wasn’t able to find an open pharmacy over the weekend until 11pm on Sunday night in Paris. It was not ideal.
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| Cheers! |
- Bring your friends and make some new ones along the way. There is plenty of time to meet other runners at the pasta party, race, and after party.
- Stay hydrated! We had unseasonable temps this year. Although you only get a few shots of wine at each refreshment station (I wasn’t even buzzing at the end of the race), keep drinking water along the way.
Have you ever completed Marathon du Medoc or something similar? Let me know in the comments below.
Post script: My teammate, Melanie, says she likes the little quirks of the race (website, bag drop, transport) and thinks is what makes it more of an adventure. I say there is a race out there for everybody!
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| One of the large ducks we had to avoid being run over by. |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 challenge. If you enjoy living an active lifestyle, check out their new Active Plan.
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