Wine Country Challenge Ready to Run | Sports Destination Management

Wine Country Challenge Ready to Run

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Aug 10, 2020

After donating $20,000 to charitable organization Reef Relief last month through its “Key Largo to Key West Challenge” virtual event, Vision Event Management has launched the “Wine Country Challenge”. Benefiting Back on My Feet, this fitness event will take participants on a virtual tour of Northern California's premier wine region of Napa and Sonoma, kicking off on the Historic Napa Valley Trail.  

Participants may choose to complete 60 miles ("Half Carafe"), 120 miles ("Full Carafe") or 240 miles ("Double Carafe"), anytime between August 10 and October 4, via their fitness discipline of choice - run, walk, bike, swim, paddle, etc. - from wherever they reside, while practicing social distancing. While logging their miles, participants will be able to track their progress to see where they would actually be on the virtual race route, using the RaceJoy mobile app. Weekly, participants will receive highlights via email and social media of landmarks and wine country history, which they will encounter on their upcoming stretch of their virtual tour.

Jeff Graves, president of Vision Event Management, the virtual event promoter, said, "The Wine Country Challenge will showcase the unique terrain and landscape, gorgeous scenery and deep history of the Northern California Wine Country. We are going to present our participants with an absolutely fun virtual experience that will whet their appetite for what awaits them, should they choose to some day visit the area.”

The concept is simple: between August 10 and October 4, participants will complete their distance of choice. Upon completion of the event, participants will receive event merchandises mailed to their homes, corresponding to their registration level - Select, Reserve or Grand Reserve. Swag offerings include a charcuterie board, insulated two-bottle wine tote, wine bottle opener medal, classic long-sleeve T-shirt, Wine Country Challenge label, and customized bib. Weekly motivational emails, Happy Hour Zoom parties with special guests, random giveaways, Northern California Wine Country historical fun facts, and Back on My Feet member vignettes will be offered throughout the duration of the event.

 “We are thrilled to be partnering with Back on My Feet. Coast to coast, there are men and women experiencing homelessness who are afforded second chances because of the amazing work, care, compassion and supplies offered by Back on My Feet,” said Graves, who has been promoting and producing events for more than 25 years. “We all have a story. The Back on My Feet volunteers stop to listen to these stories, and provide motivation to literally get their members back on their feet. Exercise of any level is such a powerful tool for the mind, body and soul.”

 

“Back on My Feet members use the power of running and community as the foundation for transforming their lives. This speaks to us, in part, because of the way participants support one another as they consistently progress toward big goals – just like our members and volunteers,” said Trena Roudebush, Back on My Feet’s Development Director.

“The money raised through registrations and donations will directly benefit Back on My Feet members from day one as they receive proper running shoes and gear, as well as throughout their journey toward quality employment and stable housing,” Roudebush continued.

The distances are based on these routes: Starting and finishing near the iconic Napa Valley Winery Charles Krug (120 miles – Full Carafe), Santa Rosa to virtual Finish Line near Charles Krug (60 Miles – Half Carafe) and Double Loop (240 miles – Double Carafe). In addition to the three main registration levels, there is a Wine Party level for participants who would like to split their distance among four team members, affording them the option to tag team with friends and families across the country during the challenge.

 “The Wine Country Challenge is for anyone, regardless of fitness level and whether or not you have a palate for wine. This is an ideal event for someone who wants to challenge and hold themselves accountable in reaching an individual goal, while receiving motivation and support from others…all while helping the members of Back on My Feet,” said Graves. “Staying active throughout this challenging time in our lives has incredible benefits. With this virtual event, they can do it in their own space at their own pace, while dreaming of all the joys of Northern California Wine Country.”

While the actual participant activity launch date of the virtual Wine Country Challenge is August 10, participants may sign up now. For complete details, please visit WineCountryChallenge.com.

About Vision Event Management - Vision Event Management is regarded as one of the best race management companies in the United States, producing some of the most recognizable and successful events in the country. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, VEM productions in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana include the Madison Mini Half Marathon/5K/Kids’ Run, Drumstick Dash 5K and Half a Drumstick 2.5K at Miller Park, Brewers Mini-Marathon/10K/5K, Lucky Leprechaun 7K benefiting the MACC Fund, Lincoln Park Run for the Zoo, RUN(317) Series, Cleveland Marathon, Brunch Run 5K, 465 Virtual Challenge, Key Largo to Key West Virtual Challenge and America Runs the 4th 5K. 
 
More than $1 million dollars has been donated to various partner charities through Vision Event Management events.
 
About Back on My Feet - Back on My Feet combats homelessness through running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Members – military vets and civilians living in shelters and recovery houses – run alongside volunteers every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:45 a.m. This helps build confidence, connection and accountability as they run toward their futures.
 
After joining, members receive a pair of brand new, properly-fitting running shoes and weather-appropriate gear (shorts/T-shirts for summer and heavier warmups for winter) for year-round running. Not only will funds from this challenge help Back on My Feet purchase shoes and gear, they will also help provide incentives for members as they reach 5, 50 and even 500 miles run.

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