Beaujolais Marathon: The Wildest Anecdotes

A symbol of friendliness and celebration 🥳, this unique event brings together runners for one main reason: to celebrate Beaujolais (and we're not just talking about the region 🍇)! After 25 years of organization and constant evolution, there's no shortage of amusing stories! 😝

Photo Credit: Marathon International du Beaujolais

But first things first...

Let us introduce you to the Marathon International du Beaujolais! 👉 This race has become iconic, attracting more and more marathoners and runners from around the world each year, looking for an event with an electric atmosphere 🎇. Its courses through the vineyards of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region 🍃, its costumes each more bizarre than the last, and its various parties are all reasons that will convince you to join the race! You're sure to find your perfect fit with all these formats offered: the marathon, the relay marathon, the half marathon, the 13 km, the "Family Marathon", and even the "Rando pour Elles" 🤯. It's safe to say there's something for everyone, and it's this warm atmosphere that makes this event a must-attend! 👪 Whether you've already got your bib or are thinking of waiting till next year to fully experience it, we're taking you on a tour of the race's anecdotes 😉.

A nod to the legendary New York Marathon 🍎

The Marathon du Beaujolais (MIB) wasn't always as popular. It's the result of remarkable teamwork and the combined efforts of three runner friends! 🦸 After completing the 42 km in the Big Apple, they came back transformed and with a project in mind 🧠: to give participants the same feeling they were fortunate to have on the American continent 🇺🇲. They wanted to turn the marathon into a celebration 🎉 while uniting around the values of the region 🇨🇵: hospitality, friendliness, solidarity... And they did it! 🤩 Just goes to show, New York City makes you think big, and this has now benefited the MIB, which has been shining 🌞 on the international stage 🗺 for the past decade. Ranked in the top 10 French marathons, this human adventure is far from over! 😁

Photo Credit: Marathon International du Beaujolais

Late rabbits 🐇

You might not know this, but the village of Fleurie signed a lease a few years ago ✒. It has thus officially become the starting point of the marathon for 99 years! 🤯 So, you won't risk getting the start location wrong if you decide to sign up! 😉 But before heading to the town 🏘, know that you need to pick up your bib at the Parc des Expositions de Villefranche-sur-Saône. From there, you'll board a shuttle 🚍, provided by the organizers (very thoughtfully 🧅), that will take you to the starting blocks 🏎. The race's rabbits 🐰 also need to take these shuttles to get to the starting line... 🏁

However, during one edition, the rabbits were not the most attentive when the instructions were given 🫣. They almost missed the race start! 😖 Yes, the organizers had to urgently bring them back to Fleurie, as they had missed the shuttle departure. An edition that almost started late ⌚, but kicked off with high energy, to the tune of "I Gotta a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas 🎶. Late rabbits... Almost like a scene from a well-known Lewis Carroll novel! 🤨

Photo Credit: Marathon International du Beaujolais

Celebrities in Beaujolais 🙉

Several races accompanied the marathon... But they didn't stay on the program. The "friendship races" numbered four, each with its own specifics. There was: the "Stroller Race" 🍼 (yes, you read that right) over 2 km, the "Kids' Race", for ages 4 to 16 🧒, the "Canicross" over 5 km (to run with your loyal companion 🐶), and finally, the "Gentlemen's Race" over 2 km. In this race, you'd find the cream of the crop 🫅: local politicians and leaders from the economic, associative, or media sectors of the Beaujolais territory.

Some editions have made history in the competition, like the one in the year 2000, where Alain Mimoun graced us with his presence. He is none other than the 1956 Olympic marathon champion, and he started the "Gentlemen's Race" at the age of 80 (you can't stop a marathoner 🏃)! He then set the pasta party 🍝 alight by leading a sing-along of La Marseillaise 🇫🇷, which everyone joined in 🎶.

A "Family Marathon" for all generations 🧓🧒

In 2019, a family 👪 lined up for the "Family Marathon" representing every generation! At the starting line, there was Robert (97 years old) 🧓, his son Jean-Claude (77 years old) 🧑‍🦳, his grandson Philippe (52 years old) 🧑‍🦱, his great-grandson Pierre (32 years old) 🧔, and the youngest, Arthur (7 years old) 🧒. Five generations hand in hand 🤝 sharing a unique sporting moment courtesy of the Marathon International du Beaujolais (MIB).

Running as a family can truly be magical 🪄, but for some, it almost caused a slight hiccup right before the race... 😅 A dad saw his bib accidentally shredded by his very young son, a few hours before the start ⏰. A brief moment of panic 🙈, but it all ended well as the volunteers managed to make a new bib in no time! ⚡ Proof that their organization will never let you down! 💪

Photo Credit: Marathon International du Beaujolais

A cart... And its donkeys! 🫏The symbol of the Marathon du Beaujolais, the cart completes the 42.195 km of the course every year. This wine barrel mounted on wooden wheels 🛞 is joined by its enthusiastic donkeys! A team of 4 takes turns relaying 🏃 throughout the race to get it across the finish line 🏁. All volunteers proudly wear the Beaujolais vineyard apron 🍇, a straw boater hat as headgear and a tasting cup around their neck 🍷. This convoy is impossible to miss and has, on many occasions, represented Beaujolais at other events (Paris, Annecy...).

Photo Credit: Marathon International du Beaujolais

Beaujolais reaches the Middle East 🌞

Yes indeed! The Marathon du Beaujolais' charm, thanks to its vibe and identity, has even led it to other countries. On October 4, 2019, near Tel Aviv, an unprecedented edition 🎉 took place in close collaboration with the MIB (and no, it's not just the acronym for Men In Black 😎). The event gathered no fewer than 4,000 participants, and feedback on the organization and atmosphere of the race was overwhelmingly positive! 👍 Unfortunately, the race has not been reorganized since the health crisis 😷.

It's the end of the glass...🍷 (of anecdotes, of course 😝)

But don't worry, in Beaujolais, there's always more to be poured 😉. We hope you enjoyed this roundup of whimsical anecdotes from the Marathon International du Beaujolais and that it especially inspires you to participate and create your own stories and experiences 🔥. It's a place for meeting and exchanging ✨ that promises only good and beautiful moments 🥰 with your family, friends 🍻, or people you meet on the day! Remember, running is about a shared sportive and human experience that can surprise us at every step 🏃. Over a glass of wine 🍷, which you should enjoy responsibly, you'll love the electric atmosphere 🤪 of this weekend of races and lively parties 💃.

⚠️ Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health.