Forget PBs, this race through Bordeaux’s vineyards comes with 23 wine stops, gourmet food and zero pressure to finish fast.
Every September, thousands of runners lace up their sneakers – and don outrageous costumes – for what might just be the most French marathon on earth: the Marathon du Médoc, a 42.2-kilometre race through the famed vineyards of Bordeaux. But forget personal bests and negative splits, this is a marathon with 23 wine stops, oysters on the route and more cheese than a Parisian picnic.
A race through wine country
This one-of-a-kind event winds through over 50 châteaux. (Image: Yves Mainguy)
Set in the Médoc region of southwestern France, this one-of-a-kind event winds through over 50 châteaux and picturesque villages, with scenic vines as far as the eye can see. But the main draw isn’t just the postcard-perfect views, it’s the 23 official wine tastings along the course. Every few kilometres, runners can slow down and sip vintages from some of the most iconic winemakers in Bordeaux. Yes, during the marathon.
Costumes aren’t optional – they’re mandatory
Costumes pair perfectly with the Marathon du Médoc. (Image: Yves Mainguy)
Adding to the festival feel, all participants must run in fancy dress, and the themes change annually. The 2025 theme is “The Sea". Past events have seen thousands of runners dressed as everything from Ronald McDonald and The Mask to wine bottles and caviar. If you’ve ever wanted to run 42.2 kilometres dressed as a baguette, this is your moment.
Oysters, cheese and ice cream… mid-race
Stop in for some gourmet snacks. (Image: Yves Mainguy)
Wine might be the star of the show, but it’s not the only thing on offer. Gourmet snacks are handed out like water cups – think oysters, steak, cheese, pastries and even ice cream. In true French fashion, fuelling the race means indulging, not carb-loading.
No rush to the finish
Runners have 6.5 hours to finish. (Image: Yves Mainguy)
While technically a marathon, the Médoc is anything but high-pressure. With a generous cut-off time of six-and-a-half hours, most runners treat it like a rolling festival rather than a race. Many take their time to enjoy the wine stops, food stations, music and spontaneous dancing.
A cult classic for runners and revellers
It’s easy to see the appeal of the marathon. (Image: Yves Mainguy)
Now more than 30 years old, the Médoc Marathon has earned cult status among the global running community. It’s become a bucket-list race for those who want to combine fitness with French flair, and it’s easy to see why.
Registrations are no longer open for the 2025 Médoc Marathon, but it’s a good time to start planning your 2026 run.
From the château backdrops to the wine-fuelled revelry, it’s less about the finish line and more about soaking up the experience (and the wine).
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Emily Murphy is International Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore the world. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring under-the-radar destinations. Next on her travel wish list? Mexico and an African safari.
Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.
The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.
1. Easy access to good food
Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.
One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.
In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.
In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.
Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.
At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.
While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.
It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.
2. Better sleep options
Sleep deeply with Novotel.
There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.
For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.
The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.
3. More ways to move
Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)
Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.
At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.
Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.
4. Better connections
Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.
One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.
Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.
A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.
Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.
All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.
