The Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on Sunday, July 17, 2011 is more than a unique race, it is a weekend-long event. This half marathon takes runners on a path beginning in Napa, through the charming beauty of Carneros wine region’s wineries and vineyards, ending at City Hall located in Sonoma Plaza. This year’s registration is sold out. The event attracts runners worldwide. But there is hope for any runners willing to run a shorter distance. Gundlach Bundschu Winery presents the GunBunFunRun 5k. Particpants begin at Gundlach Bundschu and finish with the half marathon runners in Sonoma Plaza.
Once runners arrive at the finish in Sonoma Plaza, they experience the relaxation and celebration of a Wine & Music Festival. Participants will have a selection of world-class wines to taste from over 20 Napa and Sonoma wineries. Wineries include Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Cline Cellars, and many more. Click here to view the list of participating wineries. Before and after the awards ceremony, Izzy and the Catastrophics (formerly Izzy and the Kesstronics) will perform. This a band of incredible energy and creativity that combines the genres of Rock, Country, Swing, and Bluegrass to compose music that is refreshingly and wonderfully unique.
New to this year’s post-race festivities is the Finisher’s Party at Hopmonk Tavern in Sonoma. Runners must register separately to relax on the patio with beer and food while continuing to enjoy live music. Also new this year is a two-day expo on Friday, July 15 and Saturday July 16 at Cornerstone Sonoma. Cornerstone Sonoma is the one and only place where retail shops, galleries, and wine tasting combine with walk-through gardens created by talented landscape architects and designers from around the world.
Participants will enjoy a Welcome Wine Reception on Friday evening at Cuvaison Carneros Winery and a Race Dinner on Saturday evening at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards. The Race Dinner hosts guest speaker, Dick Beardsley, an inspiring athlete who finished a mere two seconds behind the winner in the 1982 Boston Marathon due to interference from a motorcycle. Read more about Dick Beardsley here.
Pure Luxury Transportation is a proud sponsor of The Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. Contact Pure Luxury Transportation for private chauffeured transportation to this and any other of the amazing events continuously happening in Northern California Wine Country.
“Like” us on Facebook or subscribe to our blog to stay updated on events in Northern California Wine Country.
This was a fabulous race and the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. I don’t want or expect perfectly paved roads or an uptight atmosphere for such a scenic race … if you choose your races based on whether conditions favor a PR, you should stick to cookie-cutter asphalt city races. The N2S is for those who love to run for its own sake and for whom a beautiful setting enhances the experience instead of hampers it. I enjoyed my two cups of Gerwurztraminer at about the 10-mile mark … and there was plenty left by the time I began running again. Next to the Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux (26.2 of mostly rough trail through 59 vineyards, drinking wine at every water stop), this is the best wine race I’ve done. It won’t be my last N2S.