The Challenge Factory discussion

Held every September since 1985 in France, the Marathon du Médoc combines a 26.2-mile road race with a 23-stop wine tasting drinkathon.

The participants (dressed in costume) are expected to indulge in glasses of wine, while also stuffing themselves with local specialties such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak, and ice cream and still be able to run 42 km. Brilliant.

Marathon du Médoc - The Best Running Event in the World (a 2:32 minute video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKlqj...

Plan your costume, eat lots of carbs and get ready to see over 50 beautiful vineyards in the famous Médoc region.

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024
Each book must be 140+ pages. Re-reads are okay.
To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards.

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024
65/59 vineyards

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe. Hannah 9/1/24 ***
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads. Laurie's Painter 9/2/24 ***
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series. Once Upon Stilettos 9/6/24 ****
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

BOOK It to the Finish Line! - September - COMPLETED
Duration: September 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024

Each book must be 140+ pages. Re-reads are okay.
To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards.

Completed: 86

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date. The Queen of the Tearling - Erika Johansen 9/19/24 (published July 8, 2014)
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover. On the Edge - Ilona Andrews 9/3/24
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023. Stella Bain - Anita Shreve 9/15/24 (published January 1, 2013)
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk. Christa Comes Out of Her Shell - Abbi Waxman 9/28/24

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages. You Like It Darker - Stephen King 9/29/24 (512 pgs.)
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

COMPLETED TASK WITH 66 VINEYARDS

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024

Each book must be 140+ pages. Re-reads are okay.
To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards.

66/59 vineyards

32 13 8 13

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:

Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover
.
➡️Read a book from your TBR list.
The First Lady by James Patterson
Finished 9/17/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Was on my TBR since September 6, 2022

Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:

Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.

➡️Read a book where someone has to run.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
Finished 9/10/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Martha had to run away from her husband who was beating her. She then also had to run after killing her boss when she was caught stealing jewelry.
"I had to run. There was certainly not time to clean it up. Especially with Millie knocking on the door." p383

➡️Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Until Next Summer by Ali Brady
Finished 9/30/24 ⭐⭐⭐
Cover has 4 people on the cover

Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:

Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)

Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery
Finished 9/7/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book has 416 pages in the hard cover book

Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

65/59 vineyards


Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
The Avatar's Flames 9/25/24
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.
Mixing Up Mayhem 9/5/24

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Oathbound Healer 9/4/24 421 pgs
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count

TCF - BOOK It to the Finish Line!: September

✅ Total: 61 vineyards

8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
1/9 - Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic: And Other Opinions I Can't Back Up With Facts, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor - 256 pages - ⭐️⭐️

13 vineyards:
Read a book set in Europe.
1/9 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon - England - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

20 vineyards:
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
1/9 - Casper the Commuting Cat: The True Story of the Cat who Rode the Bus and Stole our Hearts, Susan Finden - 953 ratings (including mine) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
1/9 - The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute, Zac Bissonnette - 2014 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024
Each book must be 140+ pages. Re-reads are okay.
To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards.

65/59

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

My spot! :)

BOOK It to the Finish Line! - September

Held every September since 1985 in France, the Marathon du Médoc combines a 26.2-mile road race with a 23-stop wine tasting drinkathon.

The participants (dressed in costume) are expected to indulge in glasses of wine, while also stuffing themselves with local specialties such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak, and ice cream and still be able to run 42 km. Brilliant.

Plan your costume, eat lots of carbs and get ready to see over 50 beautiful vineyards in the famous Médoc region.

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024
Each book must be 140+ pages. Re-reads are okay.
To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards.

TOTAL = 65 FINISHED!!!!

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards: TOTAL = 13
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe.
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
~ Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (9/2/2024), Published September 10, 2013
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards: TOTAL = 20
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume.
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
~ Awkward in October by Teresa Yea (9/19/2024), 1,216 ratings
Read a book that was published in the 20th century.
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section) TOTAL = 32
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.
~ We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian (9/1/2024), 383 pages

Lanelle, is it okay for me to try for most of the prompts, instead of just a few? Thought I should ask, as I don't want any rule-breaking to cause upset.

Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024

61/59 vineyards - you are CRAZY Lanelle!!
FINISHED

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards:
Read any 140+ book.
Read a book where someone speaks French.
Read a book with something purple on the cover.
Read a book from your TBR list.
Read a book with an 8 in the publication date.
Read a book written by an author that is new to you. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (9/5)

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards:
Listen to an audio book.
Read a book set in Europe. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (9/8)
Read a book where someone has to run.
Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover.
Read a book published in 2013 or 2023.
Read a book where the MC goes to a fancy party.

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards:
Read a book set in France.
Read a book where someone wears in a costume. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (9/9)
Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover.
Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads.
Read a book that was published in the 20th century. Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (9/1)
Read a book where a main character gets drunk.

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section)
Read a book written by a French author.
Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series.
Read a book with a bottle or glass of wine on the cover.
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Read a book where the main character goes to a vineyard.
Read a book with a 3 or 2 in the page count.

Richard wrote: "Lanelle, is it okay for me to try for most of the prompts, instead of just a few? Thought I should ask, as I don't want any rule-breaking to cause upset."

It does go against the spirit of the challenge, Richard.

Maybe you could run several marathons instead. Finish the requirements for one marathon and then immediately begin another. There's a goal for you: How many marathons can you complete? If you do that, you're welcome to re-read a task that you used for a previous marathon.

Erica wrote: "Duration: Sept. 1 - 30, 2024

0/59 vineyards - you are CRAZY Lanelle!!"

It's my opinion that anyone who runs marathons is crazy :)

I usually set up these races so that a person can complete it with 3 books. You just have to do a bit of math to figure out how to accomplish it with that many books. Good luck!

Lanelle wrote: "It does go against the spirit of the challenge, Richard."

Heard. That's ok, I've modified my thing & will play by the rules. 🤓

Richard wrote: "Heard. That's ok, I've modified my thing & will play by the rules. 🤓"

Thank you.

Book-It: Vineyards
Sept. 01 - 30, 2024

To finish the race, you must run past 59 vineyards ==> 101

Each book from this section will take you past 8 vineyards ==> 16
Read a book from your TBR list.
Death with a Dark Red Rose 09/04
Read a book written by an author that is new to you.
The Silver Pigs 09/06

Each book in this section will take you past 13 vineyards ==> 13
Listen to an audio book.
The Highgate Cemetery Murder 09/06

Each book in this section will take you past 20 vineyards ==> 40
Read a book where someone wears a costume.
Valpolicella Violet 09/02
Read a book that was published in the 20th century ==> 1997
The Maze 09/09

A book from this section will take you past 32 vineyards: (only one book from this section) ==> 32
Read a book that is at least 400+ pages.
Silent in the Sanctuary 09/25

BOOK It to the Finish Line!
September 2024

My BOOK It to the Finish Line Challenge (msg 16)

Books read🚦6

Marathon du Médoc🚦Race One



✅To reach 13 vineyards
🚥Read a book published in 2013 or 2023
🚥SEAL the Deal🚦09.24 ★★★

✅To reach 20 vineyards
🚥Read a book with less than 2000 ratings on Goodreads
🚥California Thyme🚦09.06 ★★★

✅To reach 32 vineyards
🚥Read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series
🚥Justice Ascending🚦09.09 ★★★★


Marathon du Médoc🚦Race Two



✅To reach 13 vineyards
🚥Read a book with more than 1 person on the cover
🚥Melt for Him🚦09.12 ★★★★

✅To reach 20 vineyards
🚥Read a book with fruit or grapes on the cover
🚥Double Dipping🚦09.07 ★★★

✅To reach 32 vineyards
🚥Read a book that is at least 400+ pages
🚥Bet Me🚦09.26 ★★★★★

Finished, see message 8! :)

This was fun, Lanelle! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next month! Thanks!

Done in message 15! I loved the vino so much, er I mean view of the vineyards, that I went by some extra. 😊

Races done - thanks Lanelle!
Updated post: My BOOK It to the Finish Line Challenge (msg 16)

Books read🚦6

Completed: msg #3