Wine Country Half Marathon races ahead despitecouncil rebuff

Registration sells out; race officials pin hopes on new route, more charity|

Despite a Nov. 21 decision by the Sonoma City Council to deny closure of Sonoma streets for next summer's Sonoma to Napa Wine Country Half Marathon, the race opened for registration yesterday, Dec. 1, at noon. Entry spots were sold out by the end of the day.

Matt Dockstader, founder and director of Sonoma-based Destination Races, which stages a handful of similar marathons across the U.S., expected smooth sailing at the Sonoma City Council meeting last month and described himself as 'blindsided' by the denial of use of the streets.

The 13.1-mile race begins at Cuvaison Carneros Winery in Napa, runs through Carneros, and finishes at the Sonoma Plaza. In order to get to the Plaza, the course had been routed to run through portions of Denmark, East MacArthur and Broadway on the morning of July 16. Now, Dockstader's team has mapped a slightly different route he hopes to bring before the Council when it next convenes Dec. 12. He's crossing his fingers for a more favorable response.

The 3,500 runners who have already secured a spot in the race presumably have their fingers crossed as well.

At the Nov. 21 meeting, Mayor Laurie Gallian and Councilmember Madolyn Agrimonti voted in favor of closing the streets next July for the race. Councilmembers Rachel Hundley, David Cook and Gary Edwards, however, cited the plethora of complaints received following last summer's road closures and questioned whether the event has any real benefit to the Sonoma community.

The marathon last year contributed about $32,000 to local charities. According to the City's special event policy, for-profit organizations are required to donate either 10 percent of gross revenue from an event, or 40 percent of net revenue, whichever amount is higher, to Sonoma Valley nonprofits. But in the past the Wine Country Half Marathon has donated far less, on the basis that half of the event takes place outside the city limits.

When reached by phone this week, Dockstader was at City Hall attempting to devise an expansion of the race's support for Sonoma Valley nonprofits.

At the Council meeting, Edwards described the event's impact on the Plaza as 'an overuse of venue,' noting that the nearly $18,000 the event pays in fees, including its post-race Plaza festival, is 'very inexpensive.' The City estimates that the post-face festival in the Plaza has around 8,000 attendees.

'Local businesses, particularly restaurants, hotels and wineries are fully in support of the race,' said Dockstader. 'There is even a petition going around in support of the race. It brings a lot of revenue to local businesses.'

Dockstader said that they thought about delaying the race registration but too much was on the line to do so.

'We're making progress with the City and we're optimistic that we can come up with a plan that meets with their approval.

There is a lot at stake here and it would be devastating to have to cancel.'

Dockstader told potential racers in a mass email and on the race website, that the race course was not approved, that it would change, and the event was subject to approval by Sonoma City Council. If necessary, he will issue refunds or move to Napa but he is optimistic that they will work out a new course and get on the agenda. Hockstader let the city manager, and council members know via email or on the phone that he was opening registration with that disclaimer.

Still available are spots in the GunBunFunRun 5K on July 16, which is also organized by Destination Races. This race begins at Gundlach Bundschu and also finishes at Sonoma Plaza.

The Napa Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon was launched in 2004. According to a City staff report, the race attracts about 3,500 runners, and Hockstader said that about 10 percent live in the Valley.

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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