Planning is well and truly underway for the 2018 of Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon, which is quickly becoming a full-weekend event.
We all know that the Vineyard Half is more than just a running race. This year is no different, with a new rendition of Feast Marlborough being held over the same weekend of May 10-13. We are going to offer you the weekend of your life in our beautiful province.
Entries for the May 12 race are flying out the door, but if you haven’t quite got ’round to clicking Enter Now, there is still time to do so. You could then put to good use our 10 week training programme to go from couch to half marathon without breaking yourself on the day.
Here are a few other tips to note before the big day:
Getting to Marlborough
Those of us who live in Marlborough absolutely love our little corner of paradise at the top of the South, and we love our visitors … so in case you missed our last blog, here’s a handy little guide with a wealth of information just for you to get to us…
The Great Marlborough Roadie
We all love a good roadie and this the Vineyard Half hit the newly reopened road from Christchurch to Marlborough, getting a taste of the trip that many of our Southern visitors will be taking to get here for race weekend. Road crews have taken one of the best scenic drives in the world and made it better … now that’s proper race preparation!
We’re also giving four friends the chance to win the ultimate weekend away in May. The prize includes a flash vehicle from Rangiora Toyota to drive from Christchurch to Marlborough, luxury accommodation, and half marathon tickets all covered by us. (We’re good like that…). Head to the competition page before the 7th of March to enter.
Feast Marlborough
Feast Marlborough started with a hiss in 2017 and has now developed into a roar for 2018.
WK Gala Feast will kick off festivities on Thursday, May 10th with a night of food, wine, song, dance, comedy and visual and performing arts. Hosted by Arbour, we reckon it’ll be a night not to miss (plus, you’ll have all of Friday to digest the deliciousness before the race on Saturday…)
Friday Night Feast on May 11th will bring the streets of Blenheim to life. Gourmet food stalls and a street wine bar will be armed with enough food to feed a large army, (or just 4000 people looking for a delicious pre-race dinner). Friday Night Feast is held in the centre of Blenheim from 3-8pm making it the ideal spot to grab a bite after race registration.
Saturday night and Sunday will be catered for with Marlborough Underground, a series of exclusive one-off dining experiences in unique locations across Marlborough, so you can continue to revel in your post half marathon glow of success.
All in all, Feast Marlborough is the perfect partner to the Vineyard Half; food, wine, music and a spot of exercise – could a weekend get any better?
Marlborough’s Grapes
At this time of year its busy busy in the vineyards – Hortus will be hard at work keeping the vines in perfect condition so the grapes are in tip top conditions for Saint Clair to work their magic. The weather recently has been perfect for grape growing with long hot days and cool nights which gives our regions wines the unique Marlborough flavours people the world over crave.
Get in Touch
We are really looking forward to the Vineyard Half again this year, seeing lots of familiar faces and welcoming many new ones to the Vineyard Half family. You will find the course as scenic as ever…and you can bet we’ve let the geniuses in the back room loose for a few surprises at the finish line where the food and wine celebration will be better than ever.
Don’t forget to contact us if you have any queries and we look forward to seeing you all on May 12th.