Avenue Of the Vines 1/2 Marathon

The inaugural Avenue Of The Vines 1/2 Marathon in Lodi this last Sunday was truly a nice event. Fleet Feet Stockton put on a memorable race that will surely fill to capacity next year. This 1/2 did a big loop around the Woodbridge Winery vineyards, and though it was a little warm and the head winds were a bit of a nuisance, it was pretty, quiet and FLAT! At the end of the race, finishers received a commemorative wine glass that could be used for wine tasting, a nice lunch (if you like to eat lunch at 10:00) and music to eat, drink and stretch to on the winery lawn.

The winners’ awards were their body weight in wine, and the age division winners received a double magnum of cabernet with the words, “Age Division Winner” etched on the bottle. Fellow Chip, Kirsten Schneider, won the women’s race in 1:26 and took home her body weight in wine (they wouldn’t believe she was 150 lbs.!!) and a 3 liter bottle of wine that really did weigh as much as her.

Other Chip “Magnum” winners were, Brad Lael (1:19), Jenny Hitchings (1:27) Ernie Takahashi (1:38), and Barbara Miller (1:46). I know there were other Chips out there, but I’m not certain of the names. Sorry.

As we loaded my car with 3 cases of wine and 2 double magnums, Kirsten and I couldn’t do anything but chuckle. Okay, this was worth the $55.00 entry fee. Let’s party!