Dear Vineyard Half entrants - Thank you. Love, Marlborough - Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon

Dear Vineyard Half entrants – Thank you. Love, Marlborough

Dear Vineyard Half entrants – Thank you. Love, Marlborough

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Firstly, a big shout out to all the entrants of the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon 2014.  We’re totally amped to be hosting you in Marlborough in just over a week’s time, and are working really hard to ensure everything is in place so you have an awesome time on the day.

BBC_logo_smallMost of you probably know we’re raising money for Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa this year, and thanks to you all, are very close to reaching our $20,000 goal for this amazing non-profit organisation.

What you probably don’t realise, is that lots of other organisations including Marlborough schools, cultural groups and not-for-profit organisations all benefit from this event too.

It takes many small armies of hardworking people to pull off all the little details required to run an event of this size, and we’re stoked to be able to pay these local groups for their time and effort.

A member of Te Rerenga O te Ra kapahaka group welcomes competitors to the gelato stop in 2013

When you register for the race on Friday May 9th, the smiling faces of the Marlborough Girls’ College rowing squad will be there to greet you. Parking is co-ordinated by the Blenheim Lions Club on local farmer Mark Taggart’s property, who has requested a gold coin donation be made to Springlands School.

 Rapaura School pupils will be cooking up a storm for hungry Vineyard Half participants and spectators, while Queen Charlotte College students will be helping out with the set up and pack down of all the gear.  The money they earn will go towards their trip to Japan later this year.

Bagpipes entertain runners in the vineyard half marathonThe Marlborough Women’s Refuge, Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges Pasifika Group, Blenheim kapa haka group Te Rerenga o Te Ra and the Blenheim and Districts Highland Pipe Band, are just some of the other talented and hard working groups, friends, family and ring ins that play a part in, and benefit from, this event.

So on behalf of the wider Marlborough community, we are extending a very warm and heart-felt THANK YOU for entering the Vineyard Half and supporting all the little local groups involved.

We hope you enjoy our beautiful region and have a fantastic weekend.

Anna Polson and Chris Shaw, event organisers