Race Date Saturday May 7, 2011
Santa Barbara and the adjacent Santa Ynez Valley offer the ideal destination running experience. Early May is the ideal time to visit this haven for active life-stylers and wine enthusiasts. Away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, the area has plenty to offer with beaches, historic towns and missions, abundant wineries and tasting rooms, great restaurants and shopping, and plenty of recreational activities.
Each year participants from across the country get to enjoy this spectacular course running from downtown Santa Ynez through Los Olivos into the Danish-settled town of Solvang for the post-race Wine and Music Festival. The valleys and rolling hills are filled with horse ranches, fruit orchards, lavender fields and vineyards, offering one of the most bucolic running courses in the world.
The race will be held on Saturday May 7, 2011 but the festivities kick off at our early packet pickup party on Thursday at Carr Winery in Santa Barbara. The expo and welcome reception will be held at Hotel Corque and Route 246 Restaurant in Solvang, and the popular post-race Wine & Music Festival will be expanded this year to coincide with Solvang's Centennial celebration.
Registration for the 2011 Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon has officially opened. Make sure you get the jump on everyone by registering before the race fills up. Last year the race sold out four months in advance and we expect an earlier sell out this year based on the response from the 2010 event. Check out our new website and online registration form at www.runsantaynez.com designed to expedite and simplify the registration process, and reduce processing fees. Bring your running friends and family (especially mom!) and join as a team of six or more to receive a discounted entry fee, or sign up for the two-person relay.
This event kicks off our 2011 Wine Country Half series now encompassing five events, so stayed wired for further announcements. And if you haven't already made your plans, registration is still open for the inaugural Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon on September 5th featuring a beautiful course with lots of wine and food themed activities over Labor Day weekend. And our Halloween and wine harvest inspired Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathon is a favorite of runners and staff and a great way to close out the race season. Registration is close to sell out on both events so if you plan to run, register now!
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