Loudoun to Host Inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon
Destination Races brings popular race series to Northern Virginia
Posted Monday, 11 October, 2010
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USALEESBURG, Va. - (October 7, 2010) -
Visit Loudoun has announced that Loudoun County has been chosen as the host site for the
new Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon to be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011. The Wine Country Half Marathon series consists of "boutique" destination running races held in scenic wine regions, complimented by wine, food and entertainment driven activities. Produced by
Destination Races of Sonoma, California, the series began in 2004 with the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon and now includes events in Santa Barbara wine country, the Willamette Valley of Oregon and Healdsburg, California. The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon is expected to attract thousands of runners and wine enthusiasts to Loudoun County, Virginia, located within 60 miles of Washington DC.
According to Matt Dockstader, President of Destination Races, "We pride ourselves in designing some of the most scenic point-to-point road courses in the world. Each is unique in its characteristics but all wind through the back roads of popular wine regions and finish with our trademark Wine & Music Festival. We restrict our fields to 3,000 or less runners so we can offer a more exclusive destination experience and the finest in wine country hospitality. We are also proud of our affiliation with national and regional charity partners who've raised millions for important causes."
The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon course begins at Breaux Vineyards in Hillsboro and is set on Virginia scenic byways, many of which follow the same historic routes they did when they were chartered centuries ago. Featuring stunning vistas, the route meanders past historic farms, along rolling vineyards and farmland and under tree-canopied country lanes. The 13.1 mile course ends at Doukénie Winery, site of the post-race Wine & Music Festival where runners join family and friends to enjoy food, entertainment, the awards ceremony, and wine tasting from Loudoun's finest vintners.
"We are so excited to be working with Destination Races to bring this race to Loudoun, which will introduce our destination to a whole new audience of wine travelers who seek recreational experiences in scenic locations," said Jeremy Harvey, vice president of destination marketing for Visit Loudoun. "The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon is an integral component of Visit Loudoun's efforts to position Loudoun, Virginia as DC's Wine Country® and the must-see wine destination on the East Coast."
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the national charity and training partner of the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon. CCFA's partnership with Destination Races has helped raised over $7 million in the past three years at the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. By joining CCFA's Team Challenge fundraising program individuals receive training, support, and travel expenses to the destination. Other national and regional non-profit organizations including Merlin USA and Girls on the Run provide volunteer support and serve as event beneficiaries.
A full slate of activities are scheduled, beginning on Thursday June 2, 2011 with a welcome reception in Washington DC, culminating with a finisher's celebration at Tarara Winery on Saturday evening. Lansdowne Resort is host of the race expo held on Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Most events are open to the public. Event details and registration are available online at: www.run4virginiawine.com
