The highly anticipated Half Corked Marathon is back for 2021 but with a new fall date and a transformed format taking place on September 11.

The event, which takes place every year in Osoyoos and Oliver Wine Country, is an interesting and unconventional way to experience the wine offered by the region.

Two new routes will be introduced this year; one following the Golden Mile Bench, the other along the Black Sage Bench, allowing participants to jog through the regions’ vineyards.

Along with a list of other tweaks to Half Corked due to COVID-19 safety measures, the size of each wave of runners will be smaller than usual.

Rather than having a massive group of people at the start and finish line, each wave will have a strict number of people, with socially distanced pods.

The size of these waves may change depending on the recommended government policies in effect at the time.

The current group size will not be permitted to exceed over six members in the pod (given the public health orders).

In-person registration will also look very different this year. Participants must sign up for a specific time beforehand and show up on September 10 to register.

The experience will be a “paced trek,” according to the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association.

Each wave will be able to stop at every location for wine tasting along the route. Those who do not follow this direction will be removed from the course.

The Half Corked team said that the experience will take longer this year and participants should expect the duration of the marathon to be about five hours.

And yes, the costume contest is still happening.

“As we plan the 2021 Half Corked we know that this experience will be unlike ever before; all planning is being done to ensure that we are providing a safe and physically distanced experience that will fall within expected pandemic protocols,” stated the Half Corked Marathon Team in a news release.

For more information about the new, revised format of the Half Corked Marathon, please visit https://www.oliverosoyoos.com/half-corked-marathon/