Entrant Information

Welcome to the 2024 Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon & Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km! 

This is our detailed entrant information sheet – please read it carefully before you participate.

Registration Information

All entrants who compete in the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon or the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km must come to registration to collect a race number. Registration will be held at the Marlborough Convention Centre, Alfred St, Blenheim on Friday 10^th May 2024 – open from 11am to 8pm.

You do not need to bring anything for registration – simply give your name and you can collect your race number. You can get a friend to register for you if you are unable to make it – they just need to provide the name(s) of who they are collecting race numbers for.

If you cannot make it to Blenheim before 8pm please contact us and we will make alternative arrangements.

If you have pre-ordered t-shirts, bus tickets or other merchandise, you will collect them here also.

Some of our great sponsors such as Thermatech, Pure Sports Nutrition,  Shoe Clinic, Native Sparkling and Cookie Time will be at registration, so come along with some spare time and have a chat to them about their special registration day deals and some great products.

Please ensure you come to registration with plenty of time as it can get quite busy at times, especially around mid-late afternoon.

Event Start and Finish 

Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon: Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, Selmes Rd, Blenheim

Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km:  Vines Village, Rapaura Road

Both events finish at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, Selmes Rd, Blenheim.

Race Day Parking

Parking for the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon will be available in a paddock off Selmes Road from 7.30am – follow the direction of the Marshals please.

Parking for the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km will be available around the surrounding vineyard Headlands around the Vines Village.  Please follow the instructions of the parking marshals and please be patient.

All parking will be $5 per car – this can be purchased at race registration or paid in cash to marshals on arrival.

You can then catch the free shuttle bus back to Vines Village after the race to collect your car. There will also be a Drop Off zone outside Vines Village where you can be dropped off on the morning of the race.

Road Closures

Please note, and let supporters know, that O’Dwyers Rd will be closed to all traffic from 7am until 10:30am. Vehicles will be directed around Hammerichs Rd, which adds about 10 minutes to the journey from Blenheim to Saint Clair.

Entrance to Race Sites

Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon – The main entrance to the Saint Clair race site is through the second gate on Selmes Rd – there is no entry to the race site from Rapaura Rd. But don’t worry – it will be clearly signposted.

Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km – The main entrance to the race site is through Vines Village Cafe entrance.  You will also be able to access the race site through Vines Village car park area.  But don’t worry – it will be clearly signposted.

Buses to Start/Finish line at Saint Clair and the Vine Village

There will be a bus service from central Blenheim to both Saint Clair AND Vines Village on event morning.

Regular buses will depart from Seymour Square next to the clock town on Seymour St. The bus will go to the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon start line at Saint Clair first, and then continue on to the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km start line at Vines Village.

It costs $25 for a return trip and bus tickets can be included as you purchase your entry or the day before the event at registration. Bus tickets cannot be purchased from the bus drivers.

Depart Seymour Square Clock Tower in central Blenheim

• Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon – 7:30am and 8:00am
• Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km – 8:30am and 9:00am

Buses will return to Blenheim from the bus stop at Saint Clair every 30 minutes from 11am-3pm.  Don’t worry – it will be clearly sign posted.

NB: The morning buses are only for those who have pre-booked and paid – you cannot purchase tickets from the driver.

Tickets can be purchased at registration on Friday 10th May. The cost is $25 for a return trip.

One way tickets back to Blenheim from Saint Clair on race day can be purchased for $10 from the Info stall in the race village.

Free shuttle Bus 

If you are a Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km entrant who parked at Vines Village, there will be a free shuttle bus provided from race finish at Saint Clair back to Vines Village to collect your vehicle after your race.  Don’t worry, the shuttle bus stop will be clearly signposted from race finish.

Race and briefing times –  Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon

RUNNERS –  To reduce congestion at the start line, runners should estimate their completion time and line up according to the ‘waves’. 

The run category will have 2 wave starts. Faster entrants should start entering the chutes at 8.30am with all runners to be lined up by 8.45am.  

Pace Runners

Some Team CP pace runners will be running on race day

Wave 1 – 1hr 40min; 1hr 50min; 2hr

Wave 2 – 2hr; 2hr 10min; 2hr 20min.  Look out for their flags.

HYBRID – The hybrid category will also have 2 wave starts. Faster entrants should start entering the chutes at 8.50am with all hybrids to be lined up by 9.00am.

WALK – The walkers will all start together but if you are after a faster time please enter the starting chutes early. You will be called to the start line from approximately 9.05am and should be all in the starting chutes by 9.10am.

So to summarise: listen for your instructions on the day and please be patient.

Race and briefing times – Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km

To reduce congestion we ask all runners to line up according to their category and estimated completion time. 

Runners – You will be called to the start line from approximately 10.15am

Walkers – You will be called to the start line from approximately 10.20am and line up behind the runners.

Race Briefing will start at 10.20am sharp.

So to summarise: listen for your instructions on the day and please be patient.

It is well and truly too late to swap categories on event day.

NB: If you start in a category different to the one you’re entered; your time will register as ‘DNF’ (did not finish).

Please do not run in another person’s bib – if anything happens to you out there we will not know who you are!

Timing

The timer in your race bib will officially start the minute you go over the start line, and your ‘mat’ time will be recorded as you finish. Your ‘gun’ time is your time from when the starting gun goes and it is this one that determines your placement on the day, even though the mat time is more precise.

Prizes on the day will be awarded on gun times as official mat times will not be confirmed until 1-2 days after the race, so if you are after a placing on the day you will need to start near the front of the chute.

Race Bibs

Attach race bibs to the front of your t-shirt/jacket using the safety pins provided, and ensure you wear this bib for the complete race.

Please use a ballpoint pen to fill out the reverse of the race number, listing any medical information St John Ambulance should know if need be.

You’ll need your race bib to collect your wine at the end of the race. Please note the wine is only available if you are 18 years or over. If you are Under 18 you will receive another prize instead.

Dress for the Weather

Please ensure you dress according to forecast weather conditions. It can be wet and cool at this time of year, so merino/polypropylene/waterproof clothing should be worn if conditions are unfavourable, and wear lots of layers.

Gear Storage 

A gear storage tent will be staffed all day for you to leave your gear. Please attach the tear-off strip from the bottom of your bib to your bag for storage. You’ll need your race bib to collect gear at the end.

If you are participating in the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km, your gear will be transported to the finish line for your collection.

Please ensure the bag is securely closed. This area will be supervised and we do our best to be vigilant but will take no responsibility for lost gear.

Course Markings and Map

To find your way around the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon course or the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km course you will follow a combination of signs and arrows. Distances are marked at every kilometre.

Drink Stations and Toilets

On the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon course there are five drink stations serving water: at the 5km, 8km, 11km, 15km and 18km points. You will find toilets at each of these stations too.

On the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km course there are three drink stations serving water: at the 4km, 7km, 10km points. You will find toilets at each of these stations too.

There will also be a range of Taste Stations and live music at various spots along both courses for those who have the time and inclination to indulge!

Course Hydration 

Our supplement sponsor Pure Sports Nutrition will be at the 8km and 15km drink stations on the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon course, and at the 4km drink station on the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km course to help you hydrate and get round the course in one piece. You will also find them at registration and the start/finish line with offers and advice about their nutritional products.

And for some helpful nutrition tips for race day – read more here

Marshals

You will see a marshal at approximately every km on the Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km and Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon course. There will also be a tail-end Charlie following at the end. If a fellow participant is in need of first aid, please administer help if you can and alert the nearest marshal. All marshals are in mobile contact and will call the Course Manager for assistance if required.

Roads/Traffic

There are several road crossings on both the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon and Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km courses. Marshals will be at each road crossing to STOP YOU if there is traffic coming.

You must give way to ALL traffic at road crossings and traffic marshals will be present to impose this.

Please listen to instructions from the marshals – anyone ignoring these instructions will be disqualified.

If You Pull Out

If you pull out of either race you must inform the nearest marshal. If you’re planning on carrying a mobile phone, it might be a good idea to save the Course Manager’s number in case you need any help – Martyn Carr – 020441542441.

Spectator Spots

Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon – There are two great spectator spots for your supporters to come and see you on the course. The first is at the 8km mark at the Cloudy Bay Cellar Door on Jacksons Rd.  Then go on to just past the half way mark on Giffords Rd to get up and close to your runners to cheer them on.

Nutrient Rescue Vineyard 12km – There is a great spectator spot at the 4km mark on Giffords Road.

Explore Marlborough Bike Hire   

Based at the Vines Village Explore Marlborough Bike Hire are ideally placed for your supporters to hire a bike and ride to the spectator spots to support you.  Or consider hiring bikes for a chilled out bit of wine touring pre or post race. Hire price of $45 per bike includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation. Bikes can be dropped to your accommodation by prior arrangement.

Contact Karen on info@exploremarlborough.co.nz or 021 846607.

‘The Hub’

When you have finished your race we hope you will relax and spend some time at ‘The Hub’, cheering on your friends and enjoying the relaxing post-race atmosphere of live music and delicious food and beverage.

There will be plenty on offer at The Hub, including the Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen which will be open for restaurant lunches. To make sure you get in and experience their fabulous restaurant, bookings are advised. Call 0800 317 319 or 03 570 5280 or email cellardoor@saintclair.co.nz.

There will also be wine tastings and some other great Marlborough food providers, so prepare to reward yourself heartily for your day’s efforts!

‘The Grove’

‘The Grove’ is the lawn area especially designed for your relaxation and recovery after the event. Here you will find the massage therapists ($30 for 15 minutes; cash preferred), prize wine collection, seating and relaxation areas, live music, and some other great sponsor stalls.

So be sure to relax there after the race – there will be something there for everyone!

Prizes

Every finisher will receive a trophy when they finish – a bottle of wine from the highly acclaimed Saint Clair Family Estate. Present your race bib at the Wine Collection tent in The Grove to redeem your prize.

Please note the wine is only available if you are 18 years or over. If you are under 18 you will have a large U18 on your bib which you will present at Wine Collection to receive another prize instead.

The first male and female of each half marathon category (Run, Hybrid and Walk) will also receive a magnum of Saint Clair wine. If this is not collected on the day from the Information tent it will be posted out the following week.

Finish line treats

Here are some of the treats that you will find at ‘The Hub’ and ‘The Grove’ at Saint Clair:

• A live band will play all day to help you relax and celebrate your achievement with your friends
• The relaxation lawn will be available for you to lounge on the grass, listen to music and partake of some of Marlborough’s finest products when you have completed your race
• The team from Saint Clair will have complimentary wine tasting (and some sharp deals), plus their famous chicken pies and other hearty food for sale
• The Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen restaurant will be open for restaurant lunches and other drinks and snacks
• A range of local food suppliers will be on hand to provide you with some hearty sustenance when you have finished your race, including some gluten free and vegetarian options.
• Massage therapists can deal to those aching legs and muscles ($30 for 15 minutes; cash preferred)
• There will be water and Pure Sports Nutrition hydration to assist you with your energy recovery
• Sports merchandise will be for sale at the Thermatech site – at some sharp Vineyard Half prices
• Vineyard Half event merchandise will be available for sale at the Information stall
• Run EZ and TravelbagNz will be there with their great products to sample and purchase
• NOTE: Debit/credit cards and cash payments will be accepted but please note there will not be ATM or cash withdrawal facilities on site. 
• Please note – the site will close at 3pm.

Special Saint Clair wine offer for participants/supporters

To celebrate the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon, we have some exclusive offers available in the Saint Clair wine tasting tent. Special packs will include:

Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Two Pack $35

• Saint Clair Origin Sauvignon Blanc
• Saint Clair Origin Pinot Noir

Saint Clair Mixed Special Three Pack $60

• Saint Clair Origin Pinot Gris
• Saint Clair Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc
• Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Merlot

Results and Photos

You will be individually timed and results will be available immediately after the race. 

There will be photographers on the course and a link will be sent to you from Marathon Photos a few days after the event to view and purchase if you choose.

Making it possible

We are very grateful to all parties involved in this event: sponsors, landowners, marshals, St. John and many others. You’ll run through 23 private properties—the owners of which have generously allowed access through their land on this one day of the year, so please respect their property and do not leave any rubbish along the way. And please do not bring dogs.

Feedback

Join us on Facebook for updates and anecdotes about your weekend – and let us know your inspiring stories, your training triumphs/tragedies and your general thoughts. Or simply drop us a note with any suggestions or ideas for the future.

Whew! 

We’ve tried to answer all the questions that might arise but if you still need to know more, please contact us with your query. We love to hear from you.

We look forward to seeing you all here on 11th May 2024 for a great weekend!