The Half Corked Marathon returns on Saturday May 27th, 2023, celebrating 15 years as one of Canada’s most engaging Wine Country events. Tickets are allocated through a General Lottery, which will be live until Monday January 23rd, after which winners will be offered the opportunity to purchase.
“We are excited to welcome runners to the 15th annual Half Corked Marathon and we’re planning quite the party to celebrate,” says Jennifer Busmann, executive director of Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, “Inspired by the legendary Marathon du Medoc in Bordeaux, France, we are so proud to have built such an engaging and fun destination experience – that sees participants return, year on year – here in beautiful Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country.”
The annual Half Corked Marathon ($265 plus tax) is a unique run that weaves participants through the vineyards and valleys of the region’s iconic wine-growing areas, the Black Sage and Golden Mile Benches, along with sections along the beautiful Okanagan River. Winery stations dot the 24km route, with the opportunity to engage with the region’s colourful characters as they pour samples for runners to enjoy. Creative costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for the best individual costume, best team and best skit.
The evening before, the Primavera Party ($135.60 plus tax) returns to the vineyard at Tinhorn Creek with a reception between the vines and an elegant long table dinner in the winery’s picture-perfect outdoor amphitheater. Enjoy a delicious alfresco, family-style, summer dinner with friends, featuring local produce, and sip beautiful wines, lovingly grown in the region’s vineyards.
The Party at the Finish Line is the ultimate celebration at the end of the run, and the chance to toast the start of summer with live music, food trucks and more wine tastings. Vancouver’s Paella Guys will return to offer a paella feast. The event takes place at Oliver Community Park and is open to all.
The evening following the run, Culmina Family Estate Winery will host Dinner on the Farm ($166.80 plus tax). Limited to just 50 guests, small groups will be hosted by a winemaker or winery owner who will pair their own delicious wines for the guests seated at their table. Learn about the talent and science behind their winemaking approach and dine on a multi-course menu featuring farm-fresh produce from our region, prepared by a skilled guest chef.
Endorsed by B.C. Athletics, Half Corked Marathon participants should be able to run 5km with some levels of incline over rugged terrain, in order to comfortably complete the 24km route in the time allocated. Transportation is provided to assist guests who don’t reach the mid-way point before the cut off time, and transfer them to the Party at the Finish Line.
