Move over Tour de France, Malton has a far more mouth-watering race of its own.
Inspired by the famous Marathon Du Medoc in France, the Marathon Du Malton is a unique way to eat, drink and dart your way round the food capital of the north. As someone who loves fun UK trial run routes (e.g. running unusual parkruns or running the length of Hadrian’s Wall).
I joined 400 runners in food themed fancy dress to enthusiastically graze my way to 10km. The self-proclaimed “tastiest” of fun runs.
Shaped in the mould of Malton, Marathon Du Malton is charming, refined, and all so moreish, without taking itself too seriously.
Gourmet Food Stops – Macarons to Mini-Yorkshires
An accurate statement of Malton’s food credentials and ambitions, the Marathon Du Malton is a showcase of Yorkshire’s best artisan food producers. Provenance matters. Food and drink stations are hosted by a pleasingly eclectic mix of local makers and eateries, including award-winning macarons (Florian Poirot), venison burgers (The Cook’s Place), mini roast beef & Yorkshire puddings (Talbot Hotel), smoked bacon and cheese sausage rolls (The Yorkshire Baker), and sweet treats from Malton’s The Patisserie Café.
All washed down by tipples from Ryedale Vineyards, Rare Bird Gin and Malton Brewery.
Vegetarians were well catered for too.
I’m a sucker for a sharing board, so this to me was heaven. The opportunity to build up an appetite and satisfy it in one go. Portions were sensible but just enough, leaving you wanting to do another lap for seconds (thankfully I love a run at lunchtime!). Even if my body was a bit confused necking wine then running in the sun for another couple of miles. A bit like running on a hangover.
Although I’ve never been so excited to spot each mile marker, Marathon Du Malton is run at the most Sunday pace possible. A “race” in the loosest possible terms. The perfect antidote more serious training, which can leave you asking ‘Why is running so hard?‘
With so many famous Yorkshire dishes to savour, why rush!
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Food Themed Fancy Dress – Craft Beer to Baked Beans
My only regret is not dressing up. Almost everybody else made an effort!
There’s something quite absurd about being overtaken by a hot dog or spotting a finish line sprint between a banana and a can of baked beans.
The party atmosphere was topped off by a warm up lap led by the New York Brass Band and the York Mix radio roadshow.
In Summary – The Perfect Way to See & Sample Malton’s Many Delights
Going into the Marathon Du Malton, I already had a bit of a crush on the market town.
Malton’s pretty streets and wide open countryside proved to be the perfect playground for this foodie fun run. A short few hours that reminded me why I first fell in love with running events.
The only downside surely being that no normal run will ever live up to the same standards. Where else do you get a Yorkshire Pudding beer when you finish?
See you at the start line in 2024 – I’ll be the one dressed as a giant cheese wheel!