July 10, 2016

Ultimate Wine Run - Good For You and a Good Time

2016 Ultimate Wine Run

One of my favorite things to do is to drink wine. The other thing I have to do is run to try to stay in shape; not such a favorite thing to do. Not often that the two go together but in this case I found a running event with a wine tasting. The two go together delightfully like Cabernet Sauvignon and Manchego cheese. When I received a Facebook promotion for the Ultimate Wine Run, it didn’t take me very long to jump at it.

The Ultimate Wine Run has 27 events in 18 states across the country and is a big endeavor! Some funding goes to the charity “Achieving My Dreams Foundation”. For every event, participants get a T-shirt, wine cup, and a customized medal for completing the 5k race as well as wine. There is also a VIP package that includes an upgraded T-Shirt, wine tumbler and a drawstring bag. The shirt says “VIP – Very Important Party” and I agree.

The event in San Diego was at the former Naval Training Center, now called Liberty Station. The 5k (3.1 mile) fun run circles the beautifully restored historic buildings and along the San Diego Bay. I think there were at least 2,000 runners. I met the promoter, Aaron Scott who is as outgoing and caring as you can find. He is quick to make sure that people were taken care of and having a good time. The run was the precursor to having a better time in the “cheer” garden. It is all about the wine.

I give a big salute to Aaron and his race director for the foresight to having a mix of white and red wine but much more importantly, having a mix of different wines of red and white. Many running event organizers get the least expensive beer but Aaron didn’t get the least expensive wine. Granted it wasn’t Silver Oak from Napa but wasn’t Charles Shaw either. I saw unique wines from Rock and Vine Chardonnay sourced from a vineyard in Mendocino, California. Aaron had Nottingham Cellars 1846 Red Blend which is located in Livermore, California as well as Odjfell Vineyards "Orzada" Cabernet Sauvignon (a Maipo Valley wine from Chile). I appreciate the attention to bringing good wines to what many think is a “run and guzzle”. The pours were generous and the people serving were tremendous volunteers. The DJ pumped music, the food trucks fired up different foods and it was a good time had by all.