Who says you can’t drink wine while running 8km?

Running runs in our blood at CN&CO. From the early days of MAD2Run to the Paris Marathon and our own annual Charity Fun Run, the CN&CO team – and our network – enjoy pounding the pavements, especially if it’s for a good cause.

So passionate is our founder, Carel Nolte, that he’s joined the board of the Comrades Marathon Association in the hope of bringing positive change to the event ahead of its 100^th running in 2027. Carel has run three Comrades and plans to run his fourth next year.

Now, imagine running 8km through the majestic Cape Winelands, stopping for a refreshing glass of wine every few k’s. If this is your dream run, clear your diary on 1 March for the CN&CO EasyEquities mini-Médoc in Stellenbosch.

“For a few years we’ve been running the end-of-year Charity Fun Run in Joburg where we dress up in our festive finest and run a few kilometres to raise funds for our favourite charities,” says Carel. “This year we decided to bring the concept to the Cape and model it on the Médoc Marathon in France, which I ran in 2017 with my good mate and former CN&CO chairman, Rob Christian.”

The Marathon du Médoc is an annual event held in September through the stunning vineyards of Médoc in the Gironde, France. The 42km marathon includes 23 wine-tasting stops, musical performances from 50 orchestras, fresh oysters at the 38km mark, and even a steak break at 39km!

“The mini-Médoc promises a small taste of its French namesake right here in SA,” says Carel. “With three wine stops along the way it’ll probably be your longest time per k – so it might not be worth Strava-ing – but it’ll certainly be the most interesting run you’ve ever participated in.

“Plus, your R100 donation goes directly to the Comrades Amabeadibeadi charity.”

Carel says the run is highly doable.

“Even non-runners will enjoy this run,” he says. “Keeping fit is a vital part of our often-stressful lives. In fact, even the Comrades is achievable to all.”

So, lace up your vrot old takkies, designer trainers or expensive running shoes, don something fun and festive, set your HRM to “wine run” and join us for an unforgettable run in a beautiful part of our country.

Date: 1 March 2025

Location: KleinBlouKlip Farm, Blaauwklippen Rd, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch (just enter KleinBlouKlip on your GPS/ride share app)

Run start time: 9:00 AM (please be there by 8:00 AM)

Distance: 8km

Donation: R100 (all proceeds go to charity)

Please make payment to CN&CO, FNB 62456682436 and send your POP to penny@cnandco.com. Use RUN and your name as the reference.

We will not be accepting payment on the day. Please make your donation in advance.

Enquiries: carel@cnandco.com