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Santa Ynez Valley wine region to host inaugural event
SANTA YNEZ, Calif. - Running enthusiasts and wine lovers now have another opportunity to combine two of their passions. The Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County will be the site of the newest version of the Wine Country Half Marathon on Sunday, May 13, 2007. The event is produced by Destination Races.
Patterned after the popular Napa-to-Sonoma Wine County Half, race weekend has all the ingredients of a memorable destination experience: spectacular scenery, fine wine and food, music, activities and friendly small-town charm.
Participants receive a finisher's medal, goodie bag, event shirt and commemorative wine glass for the post-race Wine & Music Festival, featuring top local wines. The top three male and female finishers in each age division receive bottles of wine as awards.
The race starts in downtown Santa Ynez, runs through Los Olivos and then winds down Ballard Canyon into historic Solvang for the finish.
"Runners will really enjoy the nuances and variety of this course," said Matt Dockstader, event director. "It offers spectacular views of the valley and passes Arabian horse ranches, vineyards, orchards, lavender farms and three distinctly different towns."
The last 7.5 miles of the course is the same route to be used by the upcoming Amgen Tour of California in stage 5, the Solvang time trial. This burgeoning wine region's popularity skyrocketed after the release of the hit movie "Sideways" which was filmed on location throughout the valley.
As an option to running the half-marathon distance of 13.1 miles, participants also have the option of registering as a two-person relay team. The first leg of the course is 5.6 miles and ends in the town of Los Olivos, while the second leg runs 7.5 miles from Los Olivos down Ballard Canyon to the finish on Copenhagen St. in Solvang. The post-race Wine & Music Festival is held adjacent to the finish at Solvang Park from 9:30am to 1:00pm and is open to the public.
The event raises money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Fund, the leading national organization focused on identifying the causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. The event also supports local non-profit organizations and schools providing volunteer support for the event.
To register, visit: RunSantaYnez.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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