The Bacchus Wine half marathon and 10K is the UK's biggest wine races. We are delighted that we recently formed a patnership with the world's largest wine race, the International Beaujolais Marathon and Half Marathon (Marathon du Beaujolais). Now in its 21st edition, the Marathon du Beaujolais has grown from humble beginnings to one of the most anticipated running events of the year. Modeled on its more famous cousin in Medoc, the Beaujolais International Marathon is a  running festival that takes places over three days. 

Like Bacchus the event is targeted towards the fun-runner rather than those looking to set a new PB. The , the race place on the Saturday following Beaujolais Day (which always falls on the third Thursday in November), an annual event that marks the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a young, fruity red wine produced in the region.

The race route (95% of which is on small country roads) meanders between the vineyards and chateaux of the Beaujolais region, taking in 12 villages and most importantly offering 15 wine-tasting opportunities along the way. And as if that wasn't enough there's live musical entertaiment at various points on the course too. What more could you want? 

The original Beaujolais Marathon had a few hundred runners and was somewhat less structured than the very popular and well-run operation of the current day. Over 27,000 entrants took part in the event in 2024 and the field this November is likely to be bigger still. In addition to the marathon, there is a marathon relay, a half marathon and 13K event as well as new Bacchus trail walks which take place the Sunday after the main races. 

The three day festival starts on Friday November 21, with the pre-race pasta party in the village of Villefranche sur Saône where all the races finish. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 13K are all run on Saturday November 22 and are followed by the celebration party Beaujolais Night, on Saturday evening. For those who are staying through Sunday there are 42K, 21K and 13K trail run walk opportunities or a chance to take a half day tour of the Hameua Du Beoeuf wine museum, where the concept of Beaujolais Nouveau was invented.

2:09 Events, which organises the Bacchus Wine Half Marathon and 10K is the official UK Travel agent to the Marathon du Beaujolais and has two or three night packages based in Villefranche sur Saône, which include transfers from Lyon airport and guaranteed race entry to the 2025 Marathon du Beaujolais. We will be giving some away prizes at this year's Bacchus Wine Half Marathon offering free ground packages to the Marathon du Beaujolais for one or two lucky runners. Watch out for more details.