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On Saturday, September 6, the Wine Country Half Marathon Series is coming to Kelowna for the second time.
Kelowna's race is currently the only one of this series held outside of the United States, and runners come from both the U.S. and Canada. The half marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the Vibrant Vine Winery on Pooley Road, and its course runs along apple orchards, farms, and vineyards onto the Mission Creek Greenway. Participants will finish along the edge of Okanagan Lake to Waterfront Park, where the Wine and Music Festival will be waiting.
Waterfront Park at last year's Wine Country Half Marathon. (Photo Credit: Destination Races)
Presented by Food & Wine Trail Magazine, the festival will be open 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with fine wine from 11 different Okanagan wineries. Registered Destination VIP guests can also go on the Winery Tour and Food Pairing. All entrants, however, will receive a finisher's medal, special offers from various sponsors, and a wine glass for tasting at the Wine and Music Festival. The awards for the winners also all include wine.
Even those not registered in the race are welcome to come to the festival. Individuals require a wristband to enter the area, with a wine tasting fee of $30, which includes the glass. Runners may also pre-purchase their guests' wine glasses to ensure that they can enter.
While the half marathon is the main event, Destination Races is providing entertainment all weekend. The Welcome Reception at Quail's Gate Winery will occur Thursday night with appetizers and wine pairings. Friday morning is the Fresh Air Race Expo and Friday night is a three course pre-race dinner for runners and their guests at the Hotel Eldorado.
Founder and Race Director of Destination Races Matt Dockstader calls the Okanagan Valley “a hidden gem in the wine producing world” and a “picturesque backdrop” for the event. “Watching the sunrise reflect off Okanagan Lake, and running through the glowing vineyards and orchards down to Waterfront Park for the post-race festival will be a memorable lifetime experience,” says Dockstader.
Registration is $110 USD for the events, and all runners must be able to finish in 2.5 hours or less. Runners may also run the course as a relay. For more information and registration, check out Destination Races' website for the event.
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