On your marks: Half marathon returns

The resurrection of a half marathon that succumbed to the pandemic is under way in Marlborough’s autumnal vineyards.

The Saint Clair Vineyard Half has been a major event on the region’s calendar for more than a decade, drawing thousands each year from nationwide and overseas for the picturesque race.

But last year’s event had to be cancelled as the country was still in alert level 3 with restrictions on public gatherings. The event company, trading as The Grape Run, went into liquidation, having spent ‘‘a tonne of money’’ over the year and unable to give a full refund on tickets.

With the half marathon’s future in the balance this time last year, new owner Sheree Stevens is now reflecting on her spontaneous decision to salvage one of her favourite events.

‘‘My husband thought I was crazy,’’ she said.

‘‘In recent months more than a few people have asked me why I would take [on] the organisation . . . But I find that question kind of strange, because if you have run it before you’d know why. I’ve run the Saint Clair half marathon four times and just love it.’’

With 25 years of experience with major events, Stevens said she knew it would be hard graft to regroup more than 200 stakeholders – comprising sponsors, landowners, service providers, volunteer groups and the Marlborough District Council – in time for the 2021 event, but she really wanted it to go ahead, despite uncertainty for large events during the pandemic.

‘‘Just like running and walking isn’t always easy, neither is event management . . . So, a big thank you to each and every person who helped us keep this event afloat for the future.’’

Crews were back on site at Saint

Clair Family Estate this week getting the course set up for tomorrow, including a new 12-kilometre route with a separate start point at Vines Village, heading for the usual finish line.

Stevens said 900 people had entered the new shorter race, with another 1600 in the 21.1km halfmarathon. Of the total 2500 tickets sold, more than 800 were coming from the North Island, 300 of those from Auckland, she said.

The event would be supported by more than 150 volunteers from Marlborough community groups, and the route would be dotted with tasting stations, entertainment and drink stations as usual.

Stevens said she wanted to preserve what people already loved about the event.

‘‘The one thing I know is that good events have a very real culture around them, and they don’t just disappear from people’s hearts and minds.

‘‘The Saint Clair half is a destination event. It’s not enough to challenge people to run 12k or 21k, they can do that anywhere, on any weekend in every town in the country.

‘‘It has to capture people’s imagination as a great race in a great place.

‘‘And that really is our only goal, inspiring more and more people to experience this great race in this great Marlborough.’’

Central Blenheim will come alive tonight before the half marathon, with popular street party Bayleys Friday Night Feast featuring food stalls and live entertainment.

The event, now in its fifth year, would be more spread out than previous years to reduce queues from the thousands of attendees at more than a dozen food and drink stalls.

Attendees will also be able to sample entries in the Marlborough on a Plate culinary competition, with some of Marlborough’s top chefs competing to produce the best dish from regional ingredients. The free event runs from 3.30pm to 8.30pm today.