The Half Corked Marathon was again a huge success as a record turnout of more than 1,000 participants showed up to drink wine, have fun, visit 15 wineries between Osoyoos and Oliver and generally have a wonderful time. The vast majority of participants also took the time once again to dress up in spectacular costumes. (Dan Walton Photo).
Hollywood heros, adrenalized animals and poorly-balanced ballerinas were “normal” among the 1,000 participants who flooded the South Okanagan this past weekend to participate and stagger through the incredibly popular Half Corked Marathon.
“Similar to Indiana Jones looking for the best archeological finds, we’re here looking for the best wine here in wine country,” said Jason Andres from Vancouver, who ran the 18-kilometre route dressed as Indiana Jones.
Andres was participating in the Half Corked Marathon for the first time. He was joined by four returning participants, who came dressed as ‘giant boulders’ chasing Indiana Jones.
“There was lots of painting involved in turning a giant soccer ball into a boulder,” Andres said. “It took many hours.”
Also spotted along the route was a pair of cheebras, which was explained as a breed involving a cheetah crossed with a zebra.
“Cheebras also have some ninja elements to them as well,” said Meredith MacGreger from Vancouver, pointing to a symbol of a throwing star on her cheebra morph suit.
MacGregor and her friend Melanie Trepanier try and wear their cheebra suits as much as they can, but there aren’t as many opportunities to wear them in public outside of ski season.
There was some inter-species contact when the pair of cheebras crossed paths with an actual donkey at one of the wineries, which ended up being Trepanier’s most memorable part of the event.
“There were so many surprises and things we were not expecting,” she said.
However, the chief reason for them making the trip was the simple combination of wine tasting and running.
“There were lots of desserts, candies and wines along the way and we didn’t know there would be so many snacks,” said MacGregor.
“This is the best event going in the Oliver area,” said John Ferreira, owner of Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery, which was the final winery stop along the route.
“Watching them run down my vineyard, it’s fantastic. It makes my heart sink. Who wouldn’t love this?”
In preparation for the marathon, Ferreira said he made sure his crops were especially neat and tidy and marked with clear signage.
“Everything worked out just fantastic,” he said.
At the marathon’s finish line at the Oliver Community Centre, live music was being played fittingly by the band Uncorked.
Staff from numerous wineries were on location to serve up more wine.
Each winery brought samples of its product and some had more than beverages to share.
Covert Farms owner Gene Covert brought with him two of his gelatos. One flavour was made with Covert Farms’ strawberry rose sorbetto and the other was a uniquely flavoured gelato, made with beets grown on the farm last summer.
“It’s really important that all of our wineries are supporting the event,” Covert said. “It’s a very unique event with great engagement, and a good combination of activity while enjoying wine and landscapes. Runners are very enthusiastic. They love this event. They’re really into the experience and appreciate what we’re doing here.”
Carol Sheridan, a volunteer for Oliver Tourism Association, said even though the number of participants is capped around 1,000, the marathon just keeps getting bigger and better with each year.
The event has become so popular that an annual lottery has to be held to chose the 1,000 participants as tens of thousands attempt to earn a spot in the Half Corked Marathon.
“What I’m seeing is a lot more support from the sponsors,” she said. “It’s successful because people are often looking for ways to get out and be active. These adventure type events, the costumes, the fun, it’s so relaxed. Everybody’s so friendly here in Oliver, and with great volunteer support, there’s a reason why everyone comes back and everyone has a really good time.”
DAN WALTON
Regional Reporter
