Fifth Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon Showcases Willamette Valley

Source: Destination Races

  Date: August 20, 2014

Popular race and related events are held in famed Pinot Noir wine region encompassing four lush, idyllic viticulture areas

SONOMA, Calif. -  The Wine Country Half Marathon Series sponsored by Newton Running and produced by Destination Races is winding its way through the heart of the Willamette Valley in Oregon on August 31, 2014.  You can still sign up online for this popular race and related events in this famed Pinot Noir wine region encompassing four lush, idyllic viticulture areas—Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge.

The half-marathon begins at the Stroller Family Estate and rolls by the vineyards to the finish line in Carlton, Oregon beginning at 7:00am on Sunday, August 31. All half marathon and relay finishers receive a finisher’s medal (recently noted by Runner’s World as one of the best race medals), technical shirt and exclusive Riedel wine glass to take with you to enjoy the popular Wine + Music Festival immediately following the finish line. The Festival is held in downtown Carlton from 9:30am-12:00pm where participants can sample wines from two-dozen local wineries in the tasting area adjacent to the food and beer garden, live music by Lil” Queenie band, exhibitors booths and the awards ceremony at 10:30am.  

“Running through wine country is a unforgettable experience that awakens the senses,” says Matt Dockstader, Founder and the Race Director. “The race starts with a spectacular sunrise over Mt. Hood and the hillside vines of Stoller Family Estate, and the course is lined with orchards, farms, ranches and vineyards until descending upon the quaint town of Carlton and the finish line.” Added Dockstader, “Runners get to absorb the beauty of the wine country by foot and then sample fantastic wines from those vineyards in a fun, celebratory environment.  The local community really embraces this event and offer unsurpassed hospitality and a memorable experience.”  On course, runners are not only treated to the scenic beauty of the valley, they can even sample Lemelson Vineyard’s Pinot Gris and listen to the Vintage Knights band. 

A two-person relay option is also available in addition to the team and individual registration for the half marathon.  For more information and to register, go to destinationraces.com/runoregon.

Destination Races and its winery partners go the extra mile to offer a truly unique wine country destination experience.

For those who want to experience a shorter distance race in the wine country, there is a Playworks Fun Run for kids and parents on Saturday, August 30th at 11:00am. Registration for the Playworks Fun Run comes with a discount to Evergreen museum attractions and includes entrance into the Wings and Waves Waterpark.

Event Planning Schedule

Thursday, August 28

The event kicks off with early packet pickup and a wine reception at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The cost of the event is only $15.  Registered runners may pick up their packet and shirt at the check-in area located near the main entrance. Guests are treated to a wine tasting with nibbles presented by the Willamette Valley Vintners Association with entrance to the museum exhibit, Clink! A Taste of Oregon Wine and Registration is open on the event website or may be paid in person at the event.  Packet Pickup and entrance to the exhibit and tasting are free to Oregon Historical Society members.

The Sprint store at 609 Northeast Broadway St. is hosting a Runner’s Appreciation Day from 10:00am to 7:00pm.  Sprint and Destination Races will be raffling off prizes including a new Samsung Galaxy smartphone and smartwatch, plus other in-store giveaways, product sampling and a discount on store purchases. From 5:30pm to 7:00pm Olympic qualifiers and coaches Melody Fairchild and Julia Stamps Mallon will share their experiences using technology with training.  

Friday, August 29

The events move to wine country as De Ponte Cellars at the Carlton Firehouse Tasting Room host a welcome reception with delicious food and award-winning Burgundian-style wines from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.  The Firehouse is Carlton’s newest tasting room.

Saturday, August 30

The Race Expo is held from 10:00am to 6:00pm and is hosted by the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville.  This event is free and open to the public and features registration, packet pickup, product sampling, seminars, wine tasting, and the Playworks Fun Runfor kids and parents.  Registration for the Playworks Fun Run comes with a discount to Evergreen museum attractions and includes entrance into the Wings and Waves Waterpark.  Melody Fairchild will be leading the Playworks Fun Run at 11:00am and then conducting a seminar at 12:00pm in the Evergreen Aviation Museum expo area. 

A farm-to-table pre-race dinner is offered on Saturday night at Anne Amie Vineyards for runners and their guests, featuring magnificent views of the surrounding farms and vineyards—a taste of what’s to come on race morning – and a healthy buffet dinner from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  The dinner typically sells out early. 

Sunday, August 31

After the post-race Wine & Music Festival, Destination Races offers two winery events.  The Vineyard Tour and Wine Pairing at K&M Winery is for registered Destination VIP guests.  K & M is a small production winery specializing in food friendly wines and a boutique winery experience.  The event is held from 3:00pm - 6:30pm.  Also, a tasting and tour of three featured Yamhill County wineries leaves from downtown Carlton at 2:00pm and returns at 6:00pm.

To participate in any of the event functions, please visit the Race Extras Page. Special media entries and information on the Oregon Media Challenge are available through Shanna Burnette – shanna@modcraftstudio.com 303-601-5177

this article Courtesy of Running USA wire