2021 Half Corked Marathon

September 11th, 2021

More details coming soon


2020 Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival

In response to the regulations shared by the Provincial Government and the local health authorities, specifically that large-scale events will not be permitted until Phase 4 of BC’s Restart Plan, the Half Corked Marathon has transitioned to a mixed-reality virtual festival for 2020.

 

Online Costume & Skit Contest

Submission Dates: August 8th-14th

Online Judging: August 17th-22nd

Costumes have always been a big part of the Half Corked Marathon and going virtual doesn’t change that! We are looking forward to seeing your creativeness at it’s finest as we undertake the 2020 Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival journey together.

Participants will have the opportunity to submit pictures or videos into the costume contest one of three categories: Best Costume (single or duo), Best Costume (group) and Best Skit. To submit your entry into the costume contest email hcm2020@oliverosoyoos.com. Email should include chosen team name and all team members names.

Following the submission deadline of midnight on Friday, August 14th a selection committee from the wineries of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country will narrow down the selection to the top two entries in each category.

All participants are encouraged to vote for the winners on the Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival Facebook page.

  • August 17th & 18th – Best Costume (single or duo)
  • August 19th & 20th – Best Costume (group)
  • August 21st & 22nd – Best Skit

The prizes are better than ever this year with gifts and experiences from several Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country wineries. Thank-you to all entrants and good luck!

Special Offer for 2020 Half Corked Marathon Ticket Holders: If you are visiting Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country during the Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival (August 23rd-September 23rd), Silver Sage Winery invites you to come dressed in costume for a complimentary experience and special gift.

 

Half Corked Marathon Roadshow

August 23rd – September 8th

The team from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country will be taking to the road to deliver race packs in key communities. The Half Corked Marathon Roadshow will bring music, delicious food, games, prizing and fun as we distribute the 2020 participant race pack and swag.

All registered participants will receive a schedule of dates and locations for the pick-up events so they can choose the community that works best for them. Following the rules around maximum event numbers at the time, these small, safe gatherings in central locations, will adhere closely to health and safety regulations, with strict health checks and required distancing in place at every venue.

 

12 Days of Half Corked Marathon

September 12th – September 23rd

Starting on September 12th and running for 12 days, we will share unique and memorable virtual experiences from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, including highlights from the Roadshow, virtual wine tastings and behind the scenes wine tours with owners and winemakers curated exclusively for you as participants in the 2020 Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival.

 

What’s included with the Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival:

  • Invitation to Half Corked Marathon Roadshow 
  • Participant race pack:
    • Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country tote bag
    • Bottle of the 2020 HCM Blend
    • Wine yoke and water bottle
    • Commemorative wearable
    • Wine country tasting picnic pack from our friends at Oliver Eats
    • Special offers and promotions from wineries
  • Online costume and skit contests with prizes
  • Opportunity to participate in costume judging and see the top skits and costumes online
  • Access to exclusive, unique and memorable virtual experiences from the wineries of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country
  • First chance to purchase tickets to the 2021 or 2022 Half Corked Marathon (specific purchase window, to be set)

Thank-you to our sponsors who are helping bring you the 2020 Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival

  • 20% off daily best available rates at each hotel (promotional code: Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country)
  • Coast Oliver Hotel is located in the Wine Capital of Canada and is centrally located within walking distance to local attractions, restaurants and recreation.  The hotel offers complimentary WiFi and parking & boasts the only indoor pool in Oliver.
  • Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre is a full service hotel with an indoor pool & hot tub in our tropical atrium.  Dining is available at our in-house restaurant – Romeo’s Kitchen + Spirits.
  • Coast West Edmonton Hotel & Conference Centre is located close to West Edmonton Mall and many other Edmonton attractions.  Conveniently located off the highway for easy access and offers a VLT lounge.
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EVENT DETAILS

The information below is exclusive to the Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival – updates and changes may occur should government restrictions affect how the event is being offered. Our team is ready to adapt as needed.

What was the aim in creating the Half Corked Marathon Virtual Festival?

Half Corked Marathon is wonderful event, so loved that it was named the 2017 Canadian Tourism Event of the Year. Over the past couple of months we have seen ongoing changes and developments relating to restrictions on large scale gatherings and events and have been working to adapt. The goal in moving the 2020 Half Corked Marathon to a virtual festival was to keep the essence of a unique and celebrated Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country Experience – interacting with the wineries, celebrating with fellow participants, checking out the amazing costumes, and partaking in some great wine country swag – with the virtual festival we can still deliver on this following the guidelines and restrictions from the Provincial Health Officer.

What do I get for my registration cost?

Opportunity to attend Half Corked Marathon Roadshow location near you; exclusive access to 12 Days of Half Corked Marathon participant hub/portal; access to participate in and vote on costumes and skits; special 2020 participant race pack – including 2020 HCM Blend, branded tote bag, water bottle, wine yoke, commemorative item; wine country tasting pack from Oliver Eats; and special offers from participating from Oliver Osoyoos wineries for when you next decide to travel to our region.

Where is the Half Corked Marathon Roadshow coming to and on what date?

Details were sent to participant emails for the Roadshow at the beginning of August, all Roadshow signups are now closed and complete.

Who can attend a Half Corked Marathon Roadshow event?

All participants will be invited and have to RSVP to a Roadshow location, to provide the safest experience for all guests we will have specific guest list for each location and time slot. For participants who are unable to attend they can prearrange for friend or teammate to pick-up their race pack. Participants may choose to RSVP to the Roadshow event that works best for them. To adhere to safety guidelines for the size of gatherings we ask that no additional guests beyond the participant RSVP be brought to Roadshow events.

What if there is no Roadshow location near me?

For those participants whom it is not feasible for us to bring the Half Corked Marathon Roadshow to we will make arrangements to ship your race pack to you before the 12 Days of Half Corked Marathon start; providing you answered the survey of being unable to attend and completed the shipping information requested on August 16th. For all other participants you will be contacted AFTER the Roadshow to provide shipping details.

What are the 12 Days of Half Corked Marathon?

A series of digital stories and virtual experiences are being created to share with Half Corked Marathon participants. Access to unique, remote experiences from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country will be offered exclusively to 2020 participants. As we get closer to the air dates, starting on September 12th, we will share a schedule of experiences and how to access them through the exclusive Half Corked Marathon portal.

Why was the rescheduled date changed to a virtual festival?

When the marathon weekend was originally rescheduled in mid-March to mid-September as a result of COVID-19, the organization was going on the basis that larger group gatherings would be permitted after the health order lifted on May 30th. The new late summer date of September 12th would allow participants time to change their plans and the marathon team to review and adapt to new restrictions over the summer. However, on May 6th when the British Columbia government announced the Restart Plan we realized that a large scale event in September would be unlikely.

Why not offer the marathon in smaller groups?

Our first concern is with providing our participants with a safe and fun experience in Oliver Osoyoos wine Country. Under the Restart Plan any group gatherings of more that 50 people seemed unlikely for September. We did review offering the race in smaller groups but it would take more than one day for all participants to be assigned a wave and the health and safety restrictions needed would greatly impact the overall experience.

Why can my ticket not be refunded?

As a not-for-profit organization it is impossible for the organization to refund ticket holders. The Half Corked Marathon is one of two Signature Events for Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country as is a vital part of what we do. As the event should have taken place at the end of May, planning and preparations going into the marathon throughout the year so when COVID-19 came to light in late February and early March most of the planning (and expenses) for the 2020 marathon had already taken place. We work very closely with many local South Okanagan businesses to create award-winning events, which help encourage visitors to our wonderful region. These local businesses, as well as our small rural communities as a whole, rely on the income that these events generate in order to survive and now, more than ever, these small businesses are hurting. For us to try to recoup these costs and the deposits that have already been spent on the 2020 Half Corked Marathon would be hugely detrimental to those small businesses and the survival of the organization. To put it simply, this would mean the end of the Half Corked Marathon, an event that so many of you have enjoyed with your friends and families over the past 12 years.

Why can my race entry fee not be deferred?

As above, many of our costs have already been incurred not only with hard costs but also months of time by our small core team who spend close to 50% of their time each year working just on Half Corked Marathon. These costs cannot be transferred to next year’s event. Providing free transfers would mean that the event would incur the cost twice for a single entry fee.

How is the money from registration fees spent?

Over 70% of costs for a the marathon are incurred before we even get to the month of the race. Costs for the marathon include, but aren’t limited to:

    • website updates, building tickets, reviewing databases
    • organizing lottery, ticket sales, creating of satellite events
    • public relations and social media campaigns
    • participant communications and email follow-ups
    • volunteer, medical, site and safety plans
    • race, registration, design and layout
    • meetings with sponsors, charities, wineries, food purveyors, and merchants
    • event reporting and record keeping
    • warehousing, maintenance, and acquisition of event equipment and supplies
    • sourcing, procuring and organizing merchandise, prizes and wine
    • contractors for race course coordination
    • contractors for event medical support
    • contractors for supplying meals
    • licensing, insurance, and permits
    • facility rentals – tents, sanitation, fencing, transportation
    • and the list goes on…

TICKETS ALLOCATED BY LOTTERY

General Lottery for the 2020 marathon is now complete

2020 Half Corked Marathon:

The registration dates for the 2020 marathon lottery took place from November 4th to 11th, 2019. There were a total of 8,116 entrants in the lottery. The entries will be reviewed to ensure that only unique registrations remain qualified; ensuring that each entrant has an equal opportunity of being selected. Successful lottery entrants have been notified and ticket sales have concluded. We would like to thank all applicants for their continued interest in being part of the Half Corked Marathon.

If you registered in the General Ticket Lottery:

  • Only one entry per person; duplicates will be disqualified
  • We are not responsible if you don’t receive our email
  • Make sure our emails don’t get caught in your spam filter by adding marathon@oliverosoyoos.com to your safe sender list
    • Read our FAQ section before you email us with your questions. We are constantly adding answers to new questions as they come up.

Half Corked Marathon General Lottery

Half Corked Marathon Lottery Terms & Conditions

1. To qualify to enter the draw you must be of legal drinking age in the Province of British Columbia (19-years-old, at the date of the race) and provide a valid email address. The info you provide with your draw entry (Entry) will be used to contact you, so please ensure it is correctly entered. Misrepresentation will disqualify your ballot.

2. By entering the lottery and purchasing a ticket (if selected in the lottery) the purchaser understands that they will have a maximum of 3.5 hours to complete the course.

3. The purchaser understands that this is a running event and declares that they are physically able and do not have any health issues that prevent me from running. Race course is approximately 19 km you should be able to run at least 5 km to safely participate.

4. Only one entry (and purchase) per person is allowed; multiple entries will be disqualified. Entry does not guarantee eligibility to purchase. A max of 2 tickets will be awarded to the lottery winners. Lottery winners will be able to purchase their ticket and their ‘guest’ ticket in one transaction – lottery winners must have permission of the ‘guest’ to provide their name and email for ticket and ‘guest’ must also have entered the lottery.

5. By entering the draw, entrants agree to be contacted by email, no other form of communication will be used to contact successful entrants.

6. The Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association is not responsible for entries and emails not received or misdirected. Please make sure that your name & email are entered correctly.

7. Lottery dates will be announced on the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country website, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter as well as our newsletter. Lottery dates vary but are typically in the first half of November.

8. The lottery will be open for no less than 5 days and no more than 7 days.

9. The lottery will be drawn within one week of the closing date and successful entrants will be contacted at the email on their entry.

10. Once contacted successful entrants will receive detailed instructions on how to complete the purchase for your ticket and your ONE additional guest. All tickets must be paid in full immediately and all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable – no exceptions.

11. Purchase can ONLY be made by the person and corresponding email address who received the lottery winner email. Names will be cross-checked and those not appearing on the winners list will have their tickets voided and be disqualified.

12. Each successful lottery entrant will be permitted ONE additional guest ticket, purchase details for this guest ticket will be sent in the confirmation of lottery winning email. Instructions on how to complete the second ticket must be followed precisely.

13. You cannot enter the lottery on someone else’s behalf. If you are entering the lottery it must be your intention to participate in the Half Corked Marathon.

14. You cannot use the same email address for multiple people. Each person entering the lottery must have a UNIQUE email address.

The following terms and conditions apply to successful lottery registrants:

A. Tickets are NON-TRANSFERABLE.

B. Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.

C. By purchasing this ticket you agree to register IN PERSON on Friday, May 29.2020 between noon & 7pm at Oliver Community Park (or other designated registration site). Failure to register during this time frame will prevent you from participating in the race.

D. By purchasing a ticket you confirm you will be 19-years or older on the day of the race. Underage persons are not permitted to participate or be on the race course.

GENERAL TICKET INFORMATION

How do I purchase a ticket into the Half Corked Marathon?

The Half Corked Marathon is a high-demand event and tickets are not available for general purchase. All tickets are by lottery. In November 2019, there were over 8.000 registrations for the lottery for the 2020 marathon.

The lottery dates for the 2021 race will be announced in late 2020 (pending provincial regulations on events for 2021) via our newsletter and social media channels.

Are tickets refundable?

All ticket sales into the Half Corked Marathon are FINAL – the tickets are non-refundable. No exceptions.

Are tickets transferable?

All tickets into the Half Corked Marathon are FINAL – the tickets are non-transferable. No exceptions. When the rescheduled date as a result of COVID-19 for 2020 was initially announced we permitted a singular exception being made for the 2020 marathon as a result of extenuating circumstances leading to the rescheduling of this event. If you had already made arrangements to transfer your ticket we will continue to honour that. This is a transfer of your 2020 Half Corked Marathon not a transfer to a subsequent year.

Can I buy a ticket from someone who is unable to participate?

No, all tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Participants were made aware of these terms prior to completing their ticket purchase. If someone is trying to sell you a ticket is will not be valid.

Are there other ways to get tickets into the Half Corked Marathon?

If your company is interested in sponsoring the Half Corked Marathon there are some sponsorship levels that offer tickets; please contact us at marathon@oliverosoyoos.com if you would like to know more about sponsoring the marathon.

What is included in my Half Corked Marathon ticket?

Tickets include race entry, transportation to the Start Line and pick-up from the finish line, lunch at the Finish Line, wine and food tastings along the race course, a welcome bag with exclusive offers from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country wineries and event sponsors and a bottle of the signature Half Corked blend.

What is the price of tickets?

For 2020 ticket prices will be $185 plus GST.

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

When do I need to register?

The policies for tickets are extremely clear all participants must register IN PERSON on Friday, May 29th. 2020 between noon-7 pm at Oliver Community Park. Failure to register during this time frame means that you will not be able to participate in the race.

Can a team member register for me?

No, all registrations must be completed by the specific individual racer we must visually approve each racer based on their photo ID.

What do I need to bring to registration?

Each participant must have TWO pieces of valid identification to register, at least one form of your ID must have a photo and be issued by a government organization. Additionally, you will need to bring your signed waiver – this document will be sent to all participants in the week leading up to the marathon.

 

MARATHON INFORMATION

How far is the marathon?

The race course varies slightly each year to incorporate as many wineries along the route as possible; however it is typically about 19 km in length.

How long do I have to complete the race?

Participants will have a maximum of 3.5 hours to complete the route, this will allow time for sampling at the stations along the course with a run/walk pace. If you are struggling a swag wagon will assist you along or towards the Finish Line. Please note that race director staff may be directing you when you need to move on from a particular station.

Do I have to drink on the course?

The race is hosted in wine country and many of our wineries will be along the course to cheer you on and offer samples of their wines; however you are not obligated to drink and we encourage you to consume safely (that is, pace yourself along the route and at the Finish Line). Water stations will be provided along the route and we encourage you to drink water frequently.

Where is the Start Line?

For the past few years the Start Line has been near Burrowing Owl Winery before travelling up the East side of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country and the Black Sage Bench. Every year the race course is subject to change but don’t worry transportation to the Start Line is included in your race registration. All participants must arrive at the Start Line on the organized transport.

Where is the Finish Line?

The Finish Line for the marathon is at Oliver Community Park, we encourage you to invite family and friends to join the celebration at the Finish Line and cheer on you and other racers.

Is there parking available?

There is no parking available at the Start Line or along the course; however there is parking available at the Finish Line. There will be transport available before the race for participants who need to get from the Finish Line to the Start Line. However, we encourage people to take transport directly from a nearby hotel in Osoyoos as we want everyone to get home from the event safely.

 

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

How do I get to the Start Line?

All participants will be escorted to the Start Line by race transportation. Currently pick-up locations include FOUR locations in Osoyoos (Spirit Ridge, Walnut Beach, Holiday Inn & Watermark) and ONE location in Oliver (Community Park); if additional pick-up/drop-off locations are added we will update here and notify participants closer to the race date.

Is there parking available?

There is no parking available at the Start Line or along the course; however there is parking available at the Finish Line. There will be transport available before the race for participants who need to get from the Finish Line to the Start Line. However, we encourage people to take transport directly from a nearby hotel in Osoyoos as we want everyone to get home from the event safely.

What is the cost of transportation?

Transportation to the Start Line and from the Finish Line back to the designated sites is included in your registration fee. Transportation is limited to race participants only.

 

COSTUME & TEAM INFORMATION

How do we ensure we are all placed together?

Closer to the race you will need to complete information about your team to ensure you are all assigned to the same wave. Teams are not required to run under a team name nor are you required to wear a costume…but you do need to tell us that you are together. PLEASE wait for us to contact you for team information – do not email in team details.

Do we have to wear costumes?

No, costumes are no required however many people find they make the race more fun and there is a costume contest and prizes given out for the best and most creative costumes based on group size. Yes, there is an individual costume award.

 

FINISH LINE INFORMATION

Do I need to purchase a ticket for the Party! at the Finish Line?

As a race participant your Finish Line wine tasting and souvenir glass is included in your registration fee. For friends and family coming to cheer you on they will be able to purchase tickets that include a souvenir wineglass and five wine tokens.

Is lunch included?

As a race participant a picnic lunch at the Finish Line is included. There will also be food trucks available for other people attending the Party! at the Finish Line and other choices.

What happens at the Finish Line?

The Party! at the Finish Line is a chance to cheer on all the racers and see the costumers of the almost 1,500 participants in the marathon, you will receive your wineglass and tasting tokens as well as your lunch. Any of our member wineries that were no along the route will be at the Finish Line offering samples (generally about 20-25 wineries), there is also live music with dancing and the costume awards.

How to I get home from the Finish Line?

Transportation back to your pick-up location is included in your race registration. shuttles will run frequently back to Osoyoos with the last shuttles leaving by 3 pm.

 

OTHER EVENTS

What is the Primavera Dinner?

The Primavera Dinner takes place on the Friday night prior to the race, transportation to the dinner is included in the ticket price, there is no parking on-site for this dinner. This is a ticketed event and while at least one person in the party must be a racers may bring non-racers to this dinner.

The dinner takes place at a vineyard please dress appropriately – no high-heels and be prepared for evening temperatures to drop. As caters have limited services in the vineyard no special dietary requests can be accommodated.

2020 Primavera Dinner will be held at Hidden Chapel Winery

What is the Dinner at the Farm?

Dinner at the Farm takes place on the Saturday night following to the race, transportation to the dinner is included in the ticket price, driving to the event is discouraged as there will be wine consumption through the evening. At this dinner you will have an opportunity to mingle directly with winemakers and winery owners. This is a ticketed event and while at least one person in the party must be a racers may bring non-racers to this dinner.

This is an outdoor event please dress appropriately – no high-heels and be prepared for evening temperatures to drop. As caters have limited services in the vineyard no special dietary requests can be accommodated.

2020 Dinner at the Farm will be held at Kismet Estate Winery

 

ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION

Where should I stay?

There are no specific rates established for the marathon with any accommodators in Oliver or Osoyoos but there is a great selection of available hotels, motels, B&Bs and guesthouses throughout the region. The marathon arranges shuttle transportation from 4 hotels in the Osoyoos area and centrally from the community park in Oliver. To find out more about where to stay please visit Destination Osoyoos (https://www.destinationosoyoos.com/accommodations/) or Oliver Tourism (https://www.winecapitalofcanada.com/where-to-stay)