London Marathon runner ‘honoured’ after wine challenge goes viral

A wine connoisseur who blind tasted a different glass of wine after completing each mile of the London Marathon said he was “honoured” his challenge went viral on social media, prompting an influx of donations.

Tom Gilbey, 52, stopped 25 times during the race to sample a glass of wine and guess the beverage’s vintage, grape variety and country of origin before continuing on towards the finish line.

He posted a video of his challenge on social media, receiving more than three million views and prompting donations on his fundraiser of over £13,000 for palliative care centre Sobell House.

Tom Gilbey said the marathon went ‘really well’ (Tom Gilbey/PA)

“It’s my first experience of this going absolutely mad and I feel very honoured,” he told the PA news agency.

“It’s just incredible and it’s great because that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s for a great charity and they’re one of many hospices that just work their socks off to make massive differences.”

Mr Gilbey, based in London, said the marathon went “really well” as he was spurred on by the treat of a taste of wine after each mile.

“It was hilarious because when you’re overtaken by a fridge and double humped camel, you could get really depressed unless you knew there was a nice wine around the corner with some friendly faces to support you,” he said.

He said he correctly guessed the vintage, grape variety and country for seven of the wines, got four completely incorrect and got the others “a little bit right, a little bit wrong”.

Mr Gilbey, who runs wine businesses and events, avoided feeling tipsy by only drinking small sips of wine, or sometimes not drinking the wine at all, and by focusing on getting through the race.

“If they were good, I might swallow it and if they were bad, they went on the road,” he said.

He posted a video of his challenge on social media, receiving more than three million views (Tom Gilbey/PA)

“I think the pain of the running allowed me to not feel anything other than the urge to finish. I think it’s a great way to stay sober.”

He celebrated his achievement by drinking a glass of champagne after completing the race.

“I was totally exhausted, totally cooked, but it was just such a great day and the atmosphere is just too fabulous for words so really, it doesn’t really matter how painful it is,” Mr Gilbey said.

Asked if he would ever take on a similar challenge again, he said: “100% not, but if you asked me if I would advise anybody else to do something like this, I would go, 100% yes.

“I think in life, sometimes you get a silly idea that resonates but two silly ideas rarely resonate, so I’d encourage everybody to have a silly idea for a good cause and see what happens.”

Mr Gilbey shares his opinions of wine to his combined 229,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram at @tomgilbeywine.

“I love the fact that (wine) is so complicated and so intriguing and delicious and that it has united so many people, families, histories, cultures. I just love that, absolutely love it,” he said.

To donate to his fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/page/tom-gilbey-1708709697012