Top five wine runs for wine-loving runners

What better way to combine your love of running with your love of wine, while exploring some of our country’s beautiful wine-making regions? Here are three wine runs you can still sign up for this year (and two to try next year). Be aware of the distinction between timed races with partner wineries providing post-race refreshments, and winery tours that you jog instead of drive. There is a difference, and you want to be clear about what you’re participating in.

Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon

June 23, Kelowna, B.C.

Highly rated and well organized, this race features plenty of wine and music as you run through B.C.’s beautiful Okanagan wine country, starting at the Vibrant Vine on Pooley Road and finishing at Waterfront Park. However this is a real race with competitive times. Half-marathon and 5K distances available. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bedkdh4Hh2U/?tagged=kelownawinecountryhalfmarathon

Get Corked

September 15, Kamloops, B.C.

Now this is what we call a wine run. It promises pre-race wine, post-race wine, wine throughout, and costumes are encouraged. The event is not timed. Held at the Monte Creek Winery in Kamloops, you can choose 5.1K or 10.2K. It’s already almost sold out, so register soon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BarTwUnBoC6/?tagged=montecreekwinery

Run for the Grapes

September 23, St. Catharines, Ont.

Part of the Subaru Running Series of races in the Hamilton-to-Niagara corridor, Run for the Grapes is held in conjunction with the Niagara Wine Festival and takes you through the scenic vineyards of Niagara. The course is certified and timed. Think of it as a race in wine country rather than a winery tour for runners. Half-marathon and 5K distances available. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgkCa93hL9J/?tagged=runforthegrapes

Consider for next year:

Half Corked Marathon

May 2019, Oliver, B.C.

Not to be confused with Get Corked (above), Half Corked takes place at the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country Wineries in Oliver, B.C. Neither a full nor a half-marathon, the course is actually about 18K, with frequent stops for sampling the local wines and cuisine. It’s not timed, but participants should be able to run at least 5K and should finish the course in three and a half hours. Costumes are encouraged.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfbRjNljkzV/?tagged=halfcorkedmarathon

Terroir Run

June 2019, Hillier, Ont.

Terroir Run partners with more than a dozen Prince Edward County wineries to put on an untimed 10K that includes nine winery visits, beer and cider at the finish line, and a post-race lunch featuring local charcuterie and brick-oven-baked pizza. Now in its eighth successful year. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUkfwFblECH/?taken-by=terroirrun

Pelee Island Winery Half Marathon

early June 2019, Pelee Island, Ont.

Now in its sixth year, the Pelee Island Winery Half Marathon takes place on the remote and pristine island in Lake Erie, is capped at 400 runners, and finishes at the winery, with tastings as part of the rockin’ post-race party. The course is certified and timed. A tradition of this race is that the swag (a long-sleeved hoodie) and medal feature the label of a Pelee Island wine.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqV8bdBSBI/?tagged=peleeislandwineryhalfmarathon