Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on Sunday

This weekend, locals and visitors will enjoy cooler weather, morning fog and a passel of brightly-dressed competitors on the highways and byways of the wine country, participating in this year's Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon, Sunday July 15.

"It's not just a race," claims the website, "it's a lifestyle experience!"  The race begins at 7 a.m. (so temperatures are more likely to be in the 60s) at Cuvaison Winery on Duhig Road in Napa. The racecourse itself runs through the scenic Carneros wine region past thousands of acres of vineyards, ranches, the Napa/Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, wineries and finally into downtown Sonoma.

The total course is 13.1 miles, a half-marathon distance. There's a map attached to this article.

There will also be the "GunBunFunRun," a 5-kilometer race starting at and following the last section of the half-marathon course before finishing in at the Plaza for the post-race Wine & Music Festival. Registration for individuals and teams are already sold out for both the half-marathon and the 5-k races.

Spectators will be lining the final stretch up Broadway cheering on race participants. Runners, teammates, friends and family will congregate in the plaza for the celebratory Wine & Music Festival following the race, featuring the awards ceremony, live music and wine tasting from 20 area vintners.

The Wine & Music Festival in the Plaza is scheduled for 9:30 until noon. Music will be from Tom Petty tribute band Petty Theft. Wine tasting, including a Reidel glass, is included for registered runners 21 and over, or $20 for each guest (maximum of 2 guests) with a registered runner.  Participating wineries are listed on the event website.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 10:25 a.m.,  with 20 cases of wine, at least $2,500 in cash, and other prizes to be awarded.

The event is sponsored by Subaru, which is sort of ironic when you think about it.