The second footrace in the Run Wine Country half marathon series will be hitting the roads just south of Windsor this weekend, when the Water to Wine Half Marathon rolls out of Kendall Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens on Fulton Road at 7 a.m. Sunday morning.
In its fifth year, the race, which follows in the footsteps of the Windsor Half Marathon last May, has relocated in the wake of the sale of Healdsburg’s Alderbrook Winery in January.
“We’ve been preparing for this for about a year and a half,” event organizer Brad Illing said. “We’re excited about the venue and the new, unique course.”
The course previously began at Lake Sonoma and wended its way south on Dry Creek Road to Healdsburg, but this year it will begin at the winery in Fulton and follow a loose figure-eight course south and east of the Sonoma County Airport.
The route, which is 90 percent on paved roads, will head west on River Road to Laughlin Road with two off-road sections through vineyards on hard-packed dirt.
Heading north and east, it will then follow North Laughlin Road to Shiloh Road to Old Redwood Highway before ending at Kendall Jackson for a post-race celebration.
Illing said that the event should have a minimal impact on roads compared to the recent Vineman Triathlon and the Windsor Half Marathon, although runners should be aware of road construction at mile 12 on Airport Boulevard. CHP will be on hand assisting with traffic control.
The Run Wine Country series began seven years ago, when Illing, who is the director of Events With Sole, orchestrated the first Healdsburg Half Marathon.
The event was such a success, he added the Windsor Half the following year and four years ago added Water to Wine. Runners of all levels participate in the events and there have been runners from all 50 states and at least eight different countries.
The popular triumvirate of races draws about 1,500 participants each — Windsor had 1,700 this year — and Illing said more than 250 are expected to complete all three.
“There are more people doing all three events and we’re expanding,” Illing said.
Runners who complete all three events will receive a custom-label bottle of wine — those under 21 will receive an alcohol-free bottle — and this year there will be a commemorative t-shirt.
Each race has its own individual custom finisher’s medal with a custom race logo wine glass and a free wine tasting at the finish. There will also be several local beers on tap, as well as the post-race food.
Friends or family members may join the post-race wine, beer and food for $20 at the finish. Kendall Jackson is also offering a VIP, seven-course food and wine pairing specifically for runners, family members or friends for $26.25 per person. There will be two seating options on Saturday during packet pick-up at 12:30 or 2:30 p.m. and on race day 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Spaces are limited and spots may be reserved by calling 576-3810.
There are plenty of spaces still available, so interested runners can sign up from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the pre-race Expo on the 120-acre grounds of the winery, located at 5007 Fulton Rd.
Go to www.runwinecountry.com for more information or to pre-register.
