The Half Corked Marathon has, in only five years, become one of the premier mass participation events in the South Okanagan. More than 4,000 people are expected to enter the lottery to try and win one of 1,000 spots for the 2016 event next May. The lottery will open at 9 a.m. on Nov. 17 and close on Nov. 23. Residents from across B.C. and many parts of Western Canada are expected to participate in the event. As has become tradition, one of the best parts of the Half Corked Marathon is getting dressed up in wild, crazy and decorative costumes as seen here from a competitor from the 2015 event. (File photo)
Many people dream about winning a multi-million dollar lottery, but in Oliver there’s one lottery that wine lovers never stop talking about.
The race is on for tickets to be part of the Half-Corked Marathon 2016, so grab your running shoes and wine glasses and cross your fingers.
The lottery for the sixth annual event will open at 9 a.m. on Nov. 17, with a closing date of Nov. 23 at 11:59 p.m.
Tickets for the marathon cost $165 each (plus tax).
They are in such hot demand that a lottery system is required to distribute them.
Each lucky person randomly chosen from the database will have the chance to purchase two tickets for the event.
It’s like winning the jackpot, according to Tony Munday, executive director of the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association.
“People are really into this event,” he said, noting that you don’t get to run through beautiful vineyards with a glass of wine every day.
The 18-kilometre race takes participants through local wineries and vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos and it has quickly become the premier mass participation event in the South Okanagan, Munday said.
He pointed out that more than 4,000 people enter the lottery for 1,000 spots, which is all organizers can handle.
Residents from across B.C. enter the lottery and the event has become so popular that visitors from across Western Canada and as far away as Ontario are also entering, he said.
Munday said they initially sold tickets online on a first come, first serve basis. But they sold out in five minutes to those with quick Internet speeds. To make it more fair, organizers switched to the lottery system.
When asked if the event will get any bigger, Munday said they have reached their capacity of 1,000 participants.
For the 2016 event, organizers are changing the marathon route, but more details are forthcoming, Munday said.
In the Half-Corked Marathon, runners are not awarded for race times, but for putting together and wearing creative costumes. Some of the costumes are fantastic.
Refreshments along the way include some of Canada’s best wines.
Inspired by the legendary Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux, the Half-Corked Marathon pays homage to one of Canada’s most decorated wine regions.
Participants are encouraged to sample the wines paired with celebrated regional cuisine from local chefs, restaurateurs and café owners, as they run or jog the 18-km route.
“Half-Corked Marathon gives visitors a true taste of our region,” said Jennifer Busmann from the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association. “Visitors can enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country and get a flavour of the wide range of wineries with a burst of springtime sunshine.”
Spectators can join in the fun and enjoy wine tasting, music and local food trucks at the finish line.
Local hotels, resorts, B&Bs and RV parks will offer special rates and packages for the weekend.
Many of the participants spend a full week of their holidays to be part of Half Corked Marathon celebrations, said Munday.
Celebrations start on Friday, May 27 with the spring-themed primavera dinner – an al fresco gourmet pasta party set amongst the vineyards, which is a chance to make new friends and load up on carbs before race day.
On Saturday, May 28, runners will set off in waves to run or jog the route.
Residents from Oliver and Osoyoos get heavily involved in the event acting as volunteers and showing up on race day to cheer on all of the participants as they cross the finish line.
For more information visit the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association website:
www.oliverosoyoos.com/halfcorked.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
