How to get around the Wine Country Half Marathon

Image Credit: destinationraces.com

September 03, 2014 - 12:10 PM

KELOWNA - About 2,000 runners will be pounding the pavement during the Wine Country Half Marathon in Kelowna, an event designed to bring participants a full-bodied experience transcending exercise.

The 21.1 kilometre race starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Vibrant Vine Winery on Pooley Road. From there the path meanders through East Kelowna, Lower Mission, South Kelowna, City Park and Waterfront Park.

The marathon in Kelowna is the first and only Destination Races event so far outside the United States and like the organization's other races emphasises the tourist experience along with marathon running. The local event is gaining popularity because of its breathtaking scenery followed by a wine and music festival at the finishing line. Runners who want to take part in wine tasting or enter the beer garden will require two pieces of I.D. All runners will need a wrist band to take part in the festival. Though the race starts Saturday, events begin Thursday with the welcome reception.

The top three prizes in each men's and women's categories are $500 plus a bottle of wine and Riedel decanter trophy for first place. Second place runners will receive $250 and wine while those coming in third will receive a $100 gift certificate to Fresh Air along with wine.

To keep things running smoothly during the event, the city will close some roads and restrict parking in key areas. Motorists are asked to be cautious when travelling through these areas. RCMP and certified flaggers be on traffic control duty along the race route.

Image Credit: destinationraces.com

Parking restrictions
- The Water Street Boat Launch parking lot will be closed to the public from Friday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. to accommodate event set up, parking and runners approaching the finish line.
- The Dolphins parking lot will be closed to the public from Friday at 8 a.m. to Saturday at 1 p.m. The parking lot will only be accessible to permitted monthly parkers during this time.
- On-street parking on Water Street (west side) from Sunset Drive to Cawston Avenue will be restricted on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 4:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to accommodate shuttle buses transporting race participants. Vehicles parked along Water Street during this time will be courtesy towed to the City Hall parking lot located on the corner of Ellis Street and Doyle Avenue.

East Kelowna Road closures (6:30 – 8 a.m.)
Road will remain open for the last runner.
- Pooley Road to Bemrose Road
- Reekie Road Bemrose to McCulloch Road
- MCCulloch Road to Hart Road
- Hart Road to Todd Road
- Todd Road from Grantham Road to Saucier Road

Lane closures (6:30 – 8 a.m.)
Roads will reopen following the last runner.
- Saucier Road from Todd Road to Balldock Road
- Saucier Road from Swallows Road to Bedford Road (west side)
- Bedford Road from Saucier Road to Dehart Road (west side)

Lower Mission traffic advisory (8 – 10 a.m.)
Roads will remain open. Motorists are reminded that runners have the right of way through intersections.
- Bedford Road to Casorso Road
- Casorso Road to Mission Creek Greenway
- Gordon Drive to Barrera Road
- Barrera Road to Lakeshore Road
- Lakeshore Road to Watt Road
- Watt Road to Walnut Street
- Walnut Street to Abbott Street

South Kelowna traffic advisory (8 – 10 a.m.)
Roads will remain open. Motorists are reminded that runners have the right of way through intersections.
- Abbott Street to Wardlaw Avenue
- Wardlaw Avenue to Chistleton Avenue
- Christleton Avenue to Abbott Street
- Abbott Street to Lake Avenue