Race Info
Sunday July 18, 2009
Course distance: 13.1 miles (point-to-point)
Start Time: 7:00am @ Cuvaison Carneros Winery in Napa
Finish: City Hall in Sonoma Plaza
Requirements
To participate in the half marathon you must be able to average a minimum pace of 15:00 min. per mile and finish the race in 3 hours and 15 minutes or less. Street closures and water stations will not be supervised past this time limit. All race participants MUST be registered and have a bib in your own name.
Awards
• $2,000 in cash and $5,000 in wine and prizes will be awarded to top 3 M & F
• Awards to top 3 male and female in half marathon age divisions:
20 & under (certificate) and 21-24,25-29,30-34,35-39,40-44,45-49,50-54,55-59,60-65,65-69, 70+ (wine)
• Awards to top TEAMS with 5 best cumulative scores (gender/age handicap)
• Top Napa or Sonoma county finishers win special award
Note: Number of awards within the category based on number of entries. Divisions determined by the runner's age on race day
Race Timing / Results
Make every stride count! We utilize the IPICO computerized timing system, Chip timing starts when you reach the starting line and your finish time is then calculated precisely when you cross the finish line, however, USATF requires using the actual gun time to for final placement. Be sure to return your chip to the collection boxes after you finish or you will be charged a $30 fee. Results will be posted at the event and are available on-site, and online.
On-Course Support
There are seven aid stations on course. All stations have water and every even numbered station starting with #2 will carry the sports drink HEED and Hammer gel from Hammer Nutrition. You will also receive nutritional food items from sponsors at the expo upon check in and at the start area. Porta-potties are located at each aid station. There are over 100 volunteers on course provided by Hanna Boys Center, CCFA Team Challenge, and other non-profit partners. Law enforcement officers from California Highway Patrol and City of Sonoma Police department will be directing traffic.
Course Traffic
Although most of the course is on country roads with no traffic, please note the route crosses busy roads in two places at Hwy 121 (mile 7.5) and again at Napa Rd. (mile 10). Highway Patrol will be positioned at these intersections to direct traffic. On occasions when natural breaks in the runner flow are not sufficient to allow cars through, there will be periodic stoppages of runners, usually between 20 to 40 seconds. Please make sure to watch for CHP and volunteer instructions at all times and take extra caution when approaching all intersections.
Race Weather
Race start time temperatures are usually ideal and will range from a cool of low 50’s to a high of low 60’s depending upon whether fog is present. Summer temperatures are usually very moderate and pleasant in southern Sonoma and Napa counties as the proximity to the bay creates breezes and fog that act as natural air conditioning. If a high pressure system keeps the cool air offshore and skies are clear, temperatures could reach as high as the 70's by mid-morning. Be prepared for either condition. Afternoon high temperatures typically range between 75 and 85 degrees. There is virtually no summer rain, just fog, in the area.
Transportation
This is a point-to-point course and there is NO parking at the start area! The primary transportation area is at Adele Harrison Middle School, The school is located next to Sonoma Valley High School located ½ mile from the finish at 20000 Broadway ~ Sonoma, CA 95476. Parking is available at the high school, middle school and surrounding streets. Buses leave from the middle school every 5 minutes from 5:15am to 6:15am to the start area. Arrive early to avoid congestion. A secondary parking and transportation area is located in Napa for runners coming from the east. Buses will leave from the Best Western Inn at the Vines at 100 Soscol Ave. at Imola in Napa (innatthevines.com). Parking is available at the South Napa Marketplace Mall located across the street. Buses will transport to the start area from 5:30 to 6:15am every 15 minutes. Post-race buses will run every 15-20 minutes from the Plaza to the primary parking area and The Best Western in Napa from 10:00am to noon.
Parking
There is NO parking at the start area due to the congestion created on Hwy 121 by traffic. Participants should take the buses to the start area. Drop-off is allowed on Duhig Rd. at Domaine Carneros Winery next to the start area. Please be advised there is NO PARKING at Domaine Carneros and there may be traffic congestion in the drop area so arrive early to avoid delays.
Viewing
If you are not a runner, but would like to watch a friend/family member at the start, there are spectator buses provided to the start area which return to Sonoma Plaza for the finish. There is also a drop area at Domaine Carneros winery and you may drive back to Cuttings Wharf Rd to Las Amigas Rd and park along Las Amigas to watch the runners as they pass the first aid station at mile 2 at Las Amigas and Duhig Rd. There are no spectator vehicles allowed on Ramal Rd after 7:00am and if you do park on Ramal you will not be permitted to leave until all the runners have passed. There is a viewing area at Burndale at Hwy 121 but traffic will be heavy and there is little parking. The best place to watch the runners is coming down Broadway for the last 1/2 mile as they finish in front of City Hall in Sonoma Plaza.
