SONOMA, CA – Destination Races’ flagship event, the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon, took to the vineyards Sunday for its 13th annual running. The race drew participants from across the country and beyond to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys for an elevated wine country weekend experience.
An energetic crowd cheered on winner Will Geiken of Los Gatos, California, as he crossed the finish line in historic Sonoma Plaza. Geiken led the field from start to finish in his first Wine Country Half Marathon, finishing with a time of 1:10:31. Ryan Hall from Flagstaff, Arizona, finished in second place with 1:12:50 and Claremont, California resident Brandon Hough finished third with 1:13:05.
Sara Hall, fresh off the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, won her second Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon with a time of 1:12:51.
“I love racing Napa-to-Sonoma. It’s a fun, family affair,” said Sara, who crossed the finish line with husband Ryan Hall. Sara’s parents and four children ran the GunBunFunRun 5K.
“I had modest expectations after just finishing the Olympic Track Trials, but I started to see some fast splits, and it inspired me to pick up the pace. Sharing the gift of running with my family on such a beautiful day is a blessing from God we are very thankful for.”
Colfax, California resident Jane Kibii took second in the women’s division with a time of 1:14:26, and 2015 winner Tori Tyler of Oakland, California, took third with 1:19:08.
The signature post-race Wine & Music Festival was held in Sonoma Plaza under sunny skies, where runners and their friends sipped wine and craft beer poured by 30 local producers, visited experiential exhibitor booths and gourmet food trucks around the square, and lounged in the grass while listening to the cajun music of T-Luke & the Tight Suits. Hall and Geiken were each awarded $600 checks by Rabobank; magnums of Ravenswood wine; and an engraved serving plate from Fortessa. The top three finishers in each age group received wine and enjoyed the experience of participating in the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon, which has grown into one of the area’s most popular and successful athletic events, and a bucket list race for competitive-to-casual runners and wine enthusiasts.
This year, CCFA’s Team Challenge program brought 600 participants and raised $2.8M at the event.
OVERALL WINNERS:
MEN:
Place Name Age Gun Time
=====================================
1 Will Geiken 23 1:10:31
2 Ryan Hall 33 1:12:50
3 Brandon Hough 26 1:13:05
WOMEN:
=====================================
1 Sara Hall 33 1:12:51
2 Jane Kibii 32 1:14:26
3 Tori Tyler 29 1:19:08
About Destination Races:
Destination Races, based in Sonoma, California, is the pioneer producer of the Wine Country Half Marathon Series. Founded in 2004, the Wine Country Half Marathon Series consists of seven races across notable wine regions in North America, offering unforgettable experiences on and off the course, including the popular post-race Wine and Music Festival. Runners travel to participate in these boutique destination races designed to feature the area’s top wineries and other attractions. The race series draws elite runners and food and wine enthusiasts who share their common bond of running and celebration. Current races include Santa Barbara, California; Northern Virginia; Napa-to-Sonoma, California; Oregon (Willamette Valley); Kelowna, B.C.; Healdsburg, California; and Woodinville-Redmond, Washington. For more information on the event series and Destination Races, visit DestinationRaces.com.
For more information, contact:
Kira Bundlie
Community and Media Relations
Destination Races 1224 Sperring Rd.
Sonoma, CA 95476
kira@destinationraces.com
707-933-1769
The post Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon Dazzles for 13th Year appeared first on Endurance Sportswire.
from Endurance Sportswire http://ift.tt/29HSsvM
via IFTTT
'Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon Dazzles for 13th Year' has no comments
Be the first to comment this post!