Welcome to Wine Country!

Sergio Reyes of Palmdale, CA cruised to victory in the fifth running of the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon with a time of 1:07:01, beating second place finisher Cheyne Inman by two minutes. Jane Kibii of Kenya, who now resides and trains in Davis, CA won her first Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon, setting a women’s course record of 1:18:10 defeating Megan Daly of Menlo Park, CA who finished in 1:18:26. Andrea Jarzombek of San Antonio, TX took third place with a time of 1:19:19. 

The women’s field proved to be exceptionally fast as top three women broke the previous course record of 1:19:47 set in 2005. The Impala’s, a predominantly women’s racing team from the Bay Area, won the team competition. Overcast skies helped keep temperatures in the high 50’s to low 60’s during the race, which was a relief to runners used to hot July temperatures.

Each winner was awarded with a magnum of wine from Cuvaison Carneros Estate Vineyards, a Ball Watch and a $500 check from Sonoma Valley Bank. Second and third place finishers received magnums of Gundach Bundschu Cabernet Sauvignon and cash awards.

Over 2,000 runners and wine enthusiasts from all over the world enjoyed the 13.1 mile course that runs through the Carneros wine region and finishes in downtown Sonoma for the popular Wine and Music Festival.  Twenty percent of the field crossed the finish line after raising over $2 million for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation through its half marathon training program, Team Challenge.

Congratulations to each runner, volunteer, sponsor, winery and supporter for making this event a huge success!

Runners leave the start line at Cuvaison Carneros Winery in Napa on their destination to Sonoma Plaza

Results are now posted!
Active.com was down for two days which prevented us from posting results immediately. They are now posted on the results page. If you still have a timing chip please mail it back to our timing company to avoid getting charged $30.
Mail to: 
Iniguez Athletic Advertising & Promotions
11735 Spring Rain
San Antonio, TX 78249
210.558.7828

Photos posted on Brightroom
Seven Brightroom photographers were at the event so you should expect to see plenty of yourself on this scenic course. Ordering photos is easy on Brightroom.com. 

2009 Registration to open in early October.

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Make sure you are registered and check your bib number online here!
For packet pickup you need to know your bib number. New Bib #'s have been assigned and you will pick up your packet at the section that corresponds to your bib number. Each participant is listed on the website with their corresponding bib number. You can access that link here: PARTICIPANT LIST.  To request a registration confirmation click here: Registration Confirmation

Meet your colleagues and hear Rob Powers at the race dinner
Meet runners from around the world and experience wine country hospitality at its finest at the race dinner. This year’s dinner is held on the beautiful grounds outside on the Hanna Boys Center campus. Dine on a healthy, gourmet pasta dinner and more, with vegetarian options and plenty of beverage choices.  Our guest speaker is Rob Powers, a former USA Olympic Team Coach and veteran race announcer considered to the “best all around emcee/announcer in the USA” by Bart Yasso of Runners World Magazine. The dinner is only $45 per person and proceeds benefit Hanna Boys Center, our volunteer organization. Reservations are limited to 150 people.  Purchase online now

Top wineries to pour at Wine & Music Festival
Some of the area's finest wineries will be pouring at the post-race Wine & Music Festival on Sunday. Each participant 21 and over receives a wine glass after the event by presenting the stub on your race bib at the wine glass booth.  You'll be able to sample wines from Nicholson Ranch, Gundlach Bundschu, Spottswoode, and Mantanzas Creek to name a few. Beer will be available for purchase by the small or large glass.  Playing in Grinstead Ampitheater during the Wine & Music Festival is Whiskey Thieves, Sonoma's top local band. Check out the participating wineries and complete wine maps on the weekend events page.
 
Need a room?  Hurry!
A few of our participating hotels still have a some rooms left in the reservation block that will go quickly if we do not snag them. The following properties have rooms available; Gaia Hotel & Spa in American Canyon, Napa Valley Marriott, and the Sheraton in Petaluma. The Lodge at Sonoma has reported that a few cancellations have created some openings. Enjoy your weekend in wine country and take advantage of these great offers.
Visit our Travel & Lodging Page

Sonoma Mission Inn Spa and other specials 
We are excited to offer special discounted pricing for all Wine Country Half Marathon participants. All athletes scheduling treatments during their Sonoma visit, July 19 - July 20, 2008 will receive complimentary Bath House privileges and a 20% discount off all Spa treatments OR a complimentary upgrade to a Sports Massage (when scheduling a classic 50-minute Massage) and take home Bio-Freeze gift. Contact Spa Manager Jessica Schorr at 707.939.2419 or Jessica.Schorr@Fairmont.com

Click here for Napa Valley hotel, spa, winery and merchant offers. 

Event Poster and new merchandise
Each year French artist Jean-Pierre Got creates a unique poster design for the Wine County Half Marathon. This years version features a return to Sonoma Plaza after a one-year hiatus by depicting a runner making the entrance towards the City Hall building from Broadway. These posters are collectibles so make sure you purchase one at the event. The cost is only $15. We also have a new line of apparel that will be available for sale in the Destination Races booth at the event all three days.

Blogs, Forums, Route Finder
We are partnering with Realbuzz.com to bring you runner forums, blogs and route planners that give you access to a myriad of training tools and information in our online community of runners. Check out the Napa-to-Sonoma BLOG  FORUM  ROUTE-FINDER