Thousands flock to Hunter Valley Winery Running Festival in Pokolbin

Now one of Australia’s biggest regional running festivals, event director Paul Humphreys puts the event’s success down to the interesting and picturesque course, which meanders through some of the region’s most famous vineyards and golf resorts.

“We have a great host venue and with the start and finish lines just 100 metres apart, it makes spectating easy,” Humphreys said.

“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 runners already entered from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Dubai, New York and all states in Australia, the formula seems to be working and will be quite a win for local tourism.”

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

Races on offer include the Kids Marathon or ‘Storybook2k’ (the culmination of an eight-week program where children commit to running 40 kilometres and then complete the last two kilometres on the marathon course on race day); the five-kilometre Wander run/walk; the 10.3km Vineyard Run; the 21.1km Winery Half-Marathon; the 42.2km Winery Marathon and the 52.5km Winery Ultra Marathon.

The oldest runner to sign up is aged 78 while the youngest is five years old.

The event draws one of the biggest spectator crowds seen at regional running events in Australia, with more than 5000 spectators expected to visit the Hunter Valley Gardens village on race day.

The event offers a carnival atmosphere with sport/health and local produce exhibitors and live entertainment.

This year’s festival will support Cessnock Lions and Hunter Valley Grammar School’s overseas charity project.

Event information and entries are available here.