January 11, 2010

SOWA 1/2 Corked Marathon May 29th/30th


News:Right on my front doorstep we are having a new marathon put on by the local wineries.  This is fashioned after the French Marathon Marathon Du Medoc .  Very exciting! More details will come, but it sounds like a lot of fun and will be encorporating visiting the different abundance of wineries in the area.  The Okanagan, specifically where we live in the south are world reknowned for the wonderful red wines produced by our hot dry climate in the summer.  I recommend coming and visiting just for the wine touring alone!  We have our local favorite wineries, and Jackson Triggs is about a five minute drive from our home as are Silver Sage, Nk’Mip Cellars, Desert Hills Estate Winery, TinHorn Creek and Burrowing Owl Estate Winery just to name a few of my personal favorites.  There are too many to list here, but on the website of the Association is a list of the predominant ones.  I look forward to seeing any of you there who dare to come out and run!

11 comments:

Darrell said...

That does look like an event I would enjoy. Running, wine and the beauty of Canada - what's not to like. Is it warm by May?

Chad said...

Hey Darrell!
Yes it is getting into the 20's (C) by end of may, it should be great weather for a marathon!

Chad said...

And it would only be bout 1/2 hour from the US border too, which is convenient for anyone from the U.S.A.! (Oroville, WA)

Ewen said...

Next time I'm there I'll make a point to come visit. Sounds like a fun half marathon!

Chad said...

Hey Ewen!
Actually th length is debateable, Its the half-CORKED marathon, and the organizers say it will be slightly shorter than thte one its fashioned after in France. That one is 42.2 km. So I am thinking it might be a bit more of a variant length. Id rather it a full one personally.

Kenley said...

Best wishes in your upcoming race. That's cool you found out about that. We have some wineries around where I live but a lot of good ones in MD on the east coast. Have a good one.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have a link or more information? Can't find any details or registration, map, etc...

Chris in B.C.

Chad said...

Hey there nameless friend!

THe only link I have found is on the South Okanagan Wineries Association...

http://oliverosoyooswineries.blogspot.com/2009/07/sowa-half-corked-marathon-2010.html

They must be prety close to releasing better info soon. It isnt clear the length of the course yet (Im hoping it will be a full marathon. WHy make it slightly shorter???)

Chad said...

Okay, so an update:
This will be a half marathon, I hear, and at each aid station will be wine samplings. The course will be to go from winery to winery which is quite pleasant. I can imagine it may be hilly though, as many wineries along the valley take advantage of the beautiful valley view from on high !

Anonymous said...

The link is http://www.sowasite.com/events.aspx
We have tried to incorporate a number of wineries in the SOWA (South Okanagan Wineries Association) group and make it long enough to be a bit of a challenge and short enough to be 'doable' for the none athlete/walker. An enjoyable 17.1 km walk from winery to winery to sample wine with a nice lunch (with an wine tasting and special commerative wine glass) at a winery to finish off.
Race name is a play on half marathon because it isn't quite a half marathon - although after tasting that much wine it may feel like a half marathon.
Note the the Medoc Marathon bills itself as the longest marathon in the world (and they have a cartoon of a runner zig zagging down the road).
Come and join us
Jack Wessel
race director

Chad said...

Hey Jack, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, I was in the Oliver 10 km yesterday.

Also, thanks for the update, it sounds fun.
That will be a photo op if I ever heard of one. I understand a lot of work in getting it set up has happened as I had heard of it last Oliver 10 k.
Thanks by the way for keeping the 10 k going. :)