It was a first! And, like every premiere, it was an event. The Pouilly-Sancerre Epicurean Race, organized by French Run, took place on Sunday October 22, and attracted over 1,000 participants of all levels and ages from all over France.
At ten o’clock sharp, the starting gun was fired by Nathalie Liebard, Mayor of Saint-Andelain and Pascal Knopp, Mayor of Pouilly-sur-Loire. About 1,200 runners set off in good spirits and bright sunshine. Among them, Martial Trouvat, quality controller at Berthomieu/Ermitage cooperage at La Charité, completed 20 kilometers in 1h35, ranking 69th out of 1,200 and second in his category. Hats off to him! “A great race, a great atmosphere in glorious sunshine, with top-notch refreshments”. A seasoned competitor, Martial was content to drink water at 12 refreshment points along racetrack, “except at the last one, where I allowed myself a glass of wine”. Congratulations to him and to all participants, who each went home with a medal around their neck.
A medal that had nothing to do with a trinket. “The idea for this race came from the desire to link two towns, two internationally renowned wine appellations, only 15 kilometers apart but belonging neither to the same department nor to an administrative region, united by the vine through wine region: the Loire Valley. The finisher medal is a tribute to our region and the wine world. It was designed in collaboration with our partner, Berthomieu/Ermitage cooperage. Shaped like a wine barrel, it is made from recycled wood and metal. A souvenir to treasure, just like the wine!” enthuses Antoine De Wilde, event organizer.
Charlois Group, via Berthomieu / Ermitage cooperage, supported event by providing barrels bearing the Pouilly-Sancerre logo at various refreshment points along the 20-kilometre route, thus confirming its commitment and support for project sponsors whose aim is to develop regional appeal and influence.
As for Martial, our “house” runner and running addict for the past 4 years, it’s training time. Berthomieu/Ermitage cooper has yet to finalize his race schedule for upcoming months: “I like new things, wide open spaces and nature. I don’t know yet whether I’ll be starting the Nevers marathon, which I’ve already run, or races I’ll be taking part in over next few months, but one thing’s for sure, I’ll be on the starting line for the Sancerre trail on June 15, 2024”. A race in which Berthomieu / Ermitage cooperage has also been a partner for several years, and which celebrates a heritage and a region that are just as much a part of it!
