Press Release

Winery Run has Hunter on the international running map

After 11 years the Winery Running Festival – Hunter Valley is well and truly on the national and international recreational running maps, with 50% of current entries coming from Sydney and beyond. This year’s event to be held Sunday 24 July at Pokolbin, has already received entries from Hong Kong, Canada, US, New Zealand and France, with the formula working to attract tourists for the weekend or longer. Even considering the Hunter’s poor economic position, the event is still one of Australia’s biggest regional Running Festivals, and expects to attract close to 2000 participants and over 4000 spectators. Local Event Director, Paul Humphreys of H Events, puts the events success down to the interesting and picturesque course, which meanders through or past some of the region’s most famous vineyards and resorts. “We have a great host venue and with the start and finish lines just 100m apart, it makes spectating easy” say Humphreys. With a multitude of things to do before and after the races, the event gives people the opportunity to get active and participate in a fun, but professionally staged recreational running event in beautiful Wine Country Hunter Valley.

With six running and walking events on offer, the event caters for both novice and serious participants. Races on offer include the:

1. Kids Marathon or Storybook 2k. (Kids Marathon is the culmination of an 8 week program where children commit to running 40km and then complete the last 2km on the marathon course on race day)
2. 5.2km Wander run/walk
3. 10.3km Vineyard Run
4. 21.1km Winery ½ Marathon
5. 42.2km Winery Marathon
6. 52.5km Winery Ultra Marathon

The event draws one of the biggest spectator crowds seen at regional running events in Australia, with more than 4000 spectators expected to visit the Hunter Valley Gardens village on race day, 24 July 2016. Spectators will enjoy one of the best Running Festival venues in Australia, which adjoins 32 acres of international standard themed gardens and a tourist village brimming with cafes, restaurants and shops. And don’t forget the nearly 100 wineries with a 5km radius. The event offers a carnival atmosphere with sport/health and local produce exhibitors and live entertainment. The day will be a celebration of the healthy lifestyle on offer in one of Australia's most picturesque tourism areas. Official charity, Transplant Australia will also be using the event to promote the Donate Life theme which promotes organ donation and raises funds for its vital work.

H Events is commitment to raising awareness around the importance of health and wellbeing and encourages all fitness standards to get involved in the festival.

Event information and entries are available online by visiting www.hevents.com.au

For information call Paul Humphreys on 0249348138 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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