The Beaujolais Run®

Every November, The Beaujolais Run® attracts an impressive array of teams piloting supercars, classic cars, 4x4s, kit cars, specialist cars, daily drives and touring motorcycles. Just as importantly, The Beaujolais Run® provides an extraordinary selection of ‘money can’t buy’ experiences for entrants, which might include unique venues, people, experiences or a combination of all of the above. This quintessentially British charity lifestyle event, now in its 52nd year, sees fun competition to repatriate France's first harvest and 'bring back the beaujolais™'.

The Beaujolais Run® is a world famous, distinctive motoring event. During the 'Run entrants gain access to restricted and usually inaccessible venues; these may include private chateaux, vineyards and historical sites. Where appropriate the 'Run commemorates historic events in an enjoyable and respectful way; seeking to ensure these are not forgotten, by allowing teams to 'walk in the footsteps of others'. With great motoring, gastronomy and unprecedented access to our winemaking partners in Champagne, Burgundy and Beaujolais there is sure to be something to appeal to all palates.

History of The Beaujolais Run®

On the 18th November 1970, at the Hotel Maritonnes, Joseph Berkmann and Clement Freud were sharing a dinner of ‘Coq au Vin’.

Owner of eight London restaurants, Berkmann also ran his own wine distribution company and wrote a weekly column for The Sunday Times. Clement Freud was Director of the London Playboy Club, a respectable Member of Parliament and wine correspondent for The Sun.

As bottle succeeded bottle that night, the germ of an idea took shape. Sometime after midnight, they roared away from Romanèche with several cases of Beaujolais in the back of each car; having challenged each other to be the first to get their cases to London in the first Beaujolais race™.

That year and the next, the race was a purely private affair between Berkmann and Freud. Berkmann won both times. Having taken potshots at each other, through their respective wine columns, word got around that something interesting was going on, and others rushed to join in: The Beaujolais Run® was born.

In 1973, Alan Hall columnist for The Sunday Times, published an article that threw down the gauntlet to Fleet Street to 'Bring Back the Beaujolais' offering a bottle of Champagne for the first to deliver a bottle of the new vintage to his desk. At that time the object of the exercise was speed, and this was brought to an end by the RAF, who later took up the challenge in a Harrier and broke all records! In 2006, by kind permission of his grace, The Duke of Richmond, The Beaujolais Run® made its spiritual home at Goodwood.

The Beaujolais Run® has evolved to become an enjoyable navigational shootout and is no longer a race; with challenges, through a cryptic checkpoint course which begins at a location in the UK and ends in deepest Burgundy. This format showcases the best the UK and France has to offer and ensures Austin and Aston Martin, Jaguar and Jalpa and Maserati and Morris can compete on a level playing field. Maps, Sat Navs and laptops are all acceptable modes of navigation on the event. At it's heart is the original aim, to be the first to bring back of the new year's vintage produced in France, and return it . This is often to officially accredited Beaujolais breakfasts, dinners and UK celebrations.  

Whilst raising money for charity, and enjoying unique experiences, teams compete for the honour of achieving P1 on the grid the following year (highest fundraising team) and P2, the team that covers the shortest distance on the navigational trial; in addition to receiving prizes and trophies at a black tie, private Chateau dinner before heading home with their cargo of wines.

The primary aim of The Beaujolais Run® is to raise money for The Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund which has supported the airmen and airwomen of the Royal Airforce and their families for 100 years.

Want to raise money for another charity?

We may allow support of a charity of choice in excess of a minimum amount being raised for RAFBF. Please contact us after receiving details of the 'Run to discuss this further.

How To Enter

Do you want to take part in this world famous, spectacular event? Register your interest here.

On receipt of your charity donation you will receive details of the forthcoming event as soon as they become available. Once you have completed your simple entry form in full, your application will be considered. What you choose to write on your entry form will influence whether you make it into the places available!