There were many wonderful costumes on display in last year’s Half Corked Marathon, which was hugely popular. This year’s event takes place this weekend. (Dan Walton file photo)

It would normally be cause for concern to spend all morning drinking wine, but nobody will intervene as long as you’re a participant in the Half Corked Marathon this coming weekend.

Drinking that much wine amid a 21-kilometre half marathon isn’t an easy accomplishment and the toughest part about it is getting the opportunity to participate.

Over 4,000 people applied to get in –  even more than last year – and only 1,100 were successful.

The event, which is sponsored and organized by the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Association (OOWA), has come a long way growing from 200 participants to 1,100 from all over the province and beyond for the 2017 event.

Organizers choose to limit the number of participants in order to maintain the perfect experience.

While they could allow for more runners to join in on the fun, local hospitality businesses are already past capacity, crowded wineries would struggle to offer intimate experiences, and a strict limit keeps the event in demand year-after-year.

“If we get much bigger than that we’ll begin losing visitors to other locations,” said Jennifer Busmann, executive director of the OOWA.

“It’s a half-marathon where you get to run through beautiful vineyards and stop for samples at awarding winning wineries. Then runners get to celebrate by dancing, eating and have fun at the finish line. It has a reputation for being just a well rounded event that continues to grow.”

The Half Corked is popular among recreational and competitive runners, though results are not officially recorded.

But no matter how competitive each runner feels, nearly all of them have one thing in common – silly costumes.

New levels of creativity are reached every year. Standing out in 2016 was a runner dressed as Indiana Jones, whose friends dressed as boulders, rolling a giant rock behind him – just like the scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark – but for the entire marathon.

Wineries go above and beyond as well, getting into full character, developing fanciful drink blends for the occasion.

There was even an obstacle course set up at River Stone Estate Winery last year.

“Wineries go over the top making themes their stations,” Bussman said.

There is a Primavera Dinner planned on Friday night at Moon Cruser Vineyards, where long tables stacked with delectable foods and wines will be lining rows of grapevines.

As for the new hotel proposed for Centennial Park in Oliver, Busmann expects it will be a benefit for the Half Corked.

“It would be great to have accommodation in the Town of Oliver so participants could stay right in town,” she said. “Being able to walk home from finish line and stay in community would make things even easier.”

This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Half Corker. Registration takes place Friday evening and the main event begins early Saturday morning.

After the race, participants gather at the Oliver Community Park to enjoy sampling wine from OOWA members, dance to live bands and basically have a wonderful time, said Busman.

Spots filled up months ago, so anybody interested in taking part will have to put their name into next year’s lottery, she said.

The Half Corked Marathon has become so popular that numerous participants from other provinces are making the long trip to the South Okanagan to participate in this unique, fun event, she said.

DAN WALTON

Regional Reporter