Les Froliques Alcooliques

(or: Seven join the Circus)

It’s 9.20am on the second Saturday in September, and the sun is shining on the Gironde; along 42-ish kilometres of road & trail, finishing touches are being made by an army of volunteers to water stations, tables groaning with food, and many, many bottles of wine.

In numerous villages, brass bands, samba percussion groups, jazz combos & grunge bands are tuning up (or maybe not!), and the locals are starting to position their picnic tables along the roadside. Meanwhile, in Pauillac, about 8,500 runners are assembled on the river front watching a trapeze artist performing her routine to the accompanying rhythms of 8 airborne “toy” drummers; (there is a clip on YouTube if this sounds implausible).

It’s almost time for the 25th Marathon du Medoc, and for the 4th time, Almost Athletes are represented. This year’s intrepid “voyageurs” were: June Franks, Danny Lakey, Elly Millington and Paul Turner, along with Pam Ferris & Louise Newman, all ably supported by Pam’s fiancé Bob.

This year’s theme being “The Circus”, the vast majority of fancy dress (it’s not actually compulsory, but…) was clown-related, though we did spot a number of strongmen, horses, tigers and lions, as well as the usual pirates, French maids (all male!), and Smurfs. Oh, and a troupe of shrimps. (Quoi?) Performing shrimps, we supposed.

While June, Louise & Danny opted for the clown look (and June’s nose was bright red even before she took her first sip of wine), Pam cleverly disguised herself as a bearded lady; Elly, resplendent in a Union Jack mini-dress, and Paul, in Morris dance costume (sans bells!), decided on the patriotic look. Bob, bless him, wore the responsibilities of cameraman, cheerleader & driver lightly.

As is traditional for Medoc, training of the running variety had been kept to a bare minimum, so we were all well prepared to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie. Soon after the start, where we were encouraged by a volley of polyrhythms from the drummers above our heads – beat that, London! – we became separated, so other than Danny & Pam who covered the entire course together, we each took our own time to take in the sights, sounds, smells and indeed tastes of this unique event – even, in someone’s case, a fresh oyster at 39km – designed, we think, to promote that late dash for the finish.

Finishing times are not important, but suffice to say we all completed the course inside the cut-off time & were each rewarded with the customary bottle of (decent) red wine and this year, a rather tasteful decanter – not the most practical item to bring home in hand luggage, though! Bob played a blinder at the finish, meeting each of us as we left “parc ferme” and guiding us through the crowds so we could rest on the riverside & feast on fruit, biscuits, cakes, beer and, yes, wine.

So, it was yet another successful and most enjoyable weekend. We’re not planning to go in 2010, but perhaps in 2011…

Salut!

Paul (the huitre-eater)