5 Reasons to Run the North County Wine Run

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to North County Wine Run as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

 

Two months from today, I’ll be running my 7th half marathon of 2016 – the North County Wine Run in Battle Ground, Washington. I’m very excited about this race for a number of reasons…but before I get into that, let me share a few of the important details of the race:

What? Both a half marathon and – new in 2016 – a 3-person relay option
When? Saturday, September 24, 2016 starting at 8:00am
Where? Battle Ground, Clark County – the south-west corner of Washington State, not far from the Oregon border

How much? $85.00 for the half marathon (increasing to $90.00 on August 25); $171.00 for the relay (increasing to $180.00 on August 25) – read on for a discount!

OK, now that we’ve got that covered, here they are…

Five Reasons to Run the North County Wine Run

1) It’s a small race

The race is capped at just over 1000 participants. Up to 800 folks running the half marathon, with a maximum of 100 relay teams. It’s not a tiny race – still big enough to have lots of excitement! But it’s also not one of those races where you’re one of 25,000 other runners. Don’t get me wrong, big races have their place. However, there’s something about smaller, local races that really appeal to me. I’m really looking forward to this one!

2) Scenic Course

Starting and finishing at the Rusty Grape Vineyard, the course will take us on a scenic loop through the rolling farm fields and vineyards of Clark County.

Having not run this race before, I can’t comment on the ‘toughness’ of the route, but I gather that the rolling hills are probably nothing to sneeze at! We will earn our finish line wine!

3) There will be prizes

If you’re a speed demon (unlike me), the top female and male runners receive a Magnum wine bottle (equivalent to three bottles of wine). Not that I would win this, but I wonder if I could even bring that back across the border into Canada?

There will be medals for the top 5 male and female runners, in addition to the top 3 in each age division. Again, this is not something I’m gunning for – but someone will win!

Costume Contest! The relay team that receives the most applause for their excellent costumes will get three bottles of wine to share!

Draw Prizes! Local sponsors, vendors and wineries will be offering free stuff to some lucky winners. Stick around to see if your bib number is called!

4) Unique Finisher Medals

Everyone completing the half marathon will receive a finisher medal – in the shape of a bull’s head. And not only is this is medal…it’s also a wine pourer! How cool is that?

  

For those running the relay, you’ll get a shared medal…three pieces of a wine barrel! All for one, and one for all!

5) And, of course – Wine, Wine, Wine!

That’s the name of the race – and definitely a big draw! I mean, wine, right??

It’s entirely possible there will be a wine stop en route. But if running and wine don’t mix for you (they don’t for me!), don’t fret! There will be a selection of wines to taste from the sponsoring wineries: Rusty Grape Vineyard, Emanar Cellars, Galeotti’s Wine Cellar, Olequa Cellars, and Heisen House Vineyards. Bring along your ID to redeem your souvenir wine glass!

 

In addition, runners can also join a free mini bus tour to the five wineries – which will be offering wine run deals!

BONUS: Run with the BibRave Pros!!

If you’re a regular reader of my blog – thank you! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few of my local readers in person, and love having that opportunity when I travel to other race destinations. My fellow Canadian BibRave Pro – Brie (Like the Cheese) Hemingway – will be accompanying me to the North County Wine Run. Come and run with us! We’ll be sporting our BibRave orange!!

Have I sold you on this race yet? Here’s one more thing to sweeten the deal – a discount! Simply use the discount code WINERUN for $7 off the registration fee! Click HERE to register now! Next price increase on August 25.

Be sure to follow North County Wine Run on Facebook and Instagram!

Hope to see you there – and to raise a glass with you at the finish line!

Have you ever done a wine run? Or, for that matter, a beer run? Tell us about it!!