Route De Vin Half Marathon

A half marathon through the wine country of Luxembourg

Runners always love a race through wine regions and although this isn't one of the most well known it's a great event that you need to look at The Route de Vin Half Marathon is the oldest road race in Luxembourg, having started way back in 1962 and although it's not a massive event, taking on the half marathon through the country's Moselle wine region is an experience you won't forget!

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The Moselle wine region of Luxembourg

You may not know too much about Luxembourg, but chances are you will have had some of its wine at some point, even though you may not have realised!. And that wine is likely to have come from the Moselle wine region where this event is hosted. Luxembourg is surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany in Western Europe, is mostly rural, and has a population of only 650,000. In the southeast, the Moselle's sun-drenched hillsides produce internationally renowned wines, from its most famous grape varieties like Pinots, Auxerrois and Rieslings. The area is full of amazing hikes and cycle tracks as well as numerous museums on culture, wine, architecture, nature conservation and aviation. Remich, known as the pearl of the Moselle, is a tourist town characterized by a magnificent panorama of vineyards and dense forests that surround the city like an amphitheatre. This is where this fascinating half marathon starts and finishes. It's a great place for a long weekend and the perfect base for exploring the abundant wineries.

History of the Route de Vin Half Marathon

The Route de Vin was the very first road race organised in the Grand-Duchy (and the surrounding area) on October 16, 1962. During the first editions in the 1960s, only experienced runners took part, with only 29 competitors reaching the finish line in the first race. This had reached 100 by 1969 and 14 years later, in 1983 this had risen to 662.

In 1990 more than 1000 participants were registered at the finish, while the 1500 threshold was reached in 1999. Although the Route du Vin was, of course, always run along the Moselle, the route taken varied on several occasions. The new route, with a round trip Remich-Stadbredimus-Remich-direction Schengen-Remich, is officially approved by the Association of International Marathons.

Race Organiser

​The event is organised by Urban Trail de Luxembourg. They work in close collaboration with the Luxembourg Athletics Federation and the City of Remich, the Police, the Ponts et Chaussées, the emergency services including a medical team, as well as more than 200 volunteers to ensure that the event runs almost flawlessly at all levels. There are a number of commercial partners, some of them having been associated with the event for many years.

When is the Route de Vin Half Marathon

The race is held annually in September.

Distances

• Half Marathon

• 5km

• 10km

Is there an Expo?

It's not officially called an expo but there is a race village. This is where you collect your number. Bib numbers can be collected on Saturday between 12.00 and 6.00. p.m or on the day of the race between 8.00 and 10.00 a.m. at the ING Route du Vin Village on the Esplanade in Remich. No bibs are posted.

How many runners?

Approximately 2,000 and growing.

The course

It all starts at the ING Route du Vin Village, from where you head north in the direction of Stadtbredimus. In the town of Stadtbredimus you will have the opportunity to absorb the regional history of viticulture. The wines of Stadtbredimus and Greiveldange - from the sites called Dieffert, Primerberg, Fels, Greiveldange-Hütte, Herrenberg, Goldberg are some of the best vintages of the Luxembourg Moselle.You then then go back to Remich in the direction of Schengen. Schengen is undoubtedly the village best known for its European status due to the “Schengen Agreement” which was signed on June 14th 1985 on the passenger boat M.S. Princesse Marie-Astrid. The winegrowing village was chosen due to its common border of France, Germany and the economic union Benelux (the first five signatories of the agreement). Magnificent views over the Moselle valley, steep vineyards, wide views towards Luxembourg and the Lorraine and the wild nature create a unique hiking experience. and From there it's back to Remich for the finish, on the Esplanade. Then it's time to enjoy some wine.

There is water, Coca-Cola and fruit at each aid station (km 5, 10, 15 and 20).

What's unique?

The vineyards! And the price. This has to be one of the cheapest quality running events anywhere.

Do charities benefit?

The organisers support the Unite charity and ask all runners to donate to the charity during registration. Since 1991 the mission of the organisers has been to support the education efforts of local partners in Cambodia, Colombia, Central African Republic, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia. The donations help fund the training of more than 5,000 individuals, actors of their own development, who strive to bring quality education to more than 17,000 children, to increase and diversify agricultural practices, improve human and environmental health conditions and strengthen the social cohesion of their communities! Aside from this support runners can raise money for their favourite charities on their own fundraising page, but this is uncommon.

How to register

Online via the website. It does not sell out yet, but don't leave it too late.

Race website

https://www.routeduvin.lu/en