Vallecito, CA…For those who like their half marathons with plenty of scenery, AND elevation (not to mention some outstanding wine tasting afterwards), be sure to put Sunday July 3 down on your calendar for the 29th annual Hernia Hill Half Marathon at Twisted Oak Winery. Produced by On Your Mark Events, this exciting race, as well as its popular post-race lunch, has become a mid Sierra area Fourth of July holiday weekend tradition—for both the locals and those who travel in from throughout California and Nevada. Along with the half marathon, the Hernia Hill event also provides a 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk. In addition, there is the famous Rubber Chicken 5K Relay. Teams of four people will hand off a special rubber chicken, as the baton (that’s 1.25k per runner).

The Hernia Hill Half Marathon will be headquartered at the Twisted Oak Winery, in Vallecito (located between Angels Camp and Murphys, on Highway 4). The three courses feature a combination of hilly paved surfaces and packed gravel roads, which offer the beautiful views of the crest of the Sierra and nearby vineyards. All four courses finish up dashing through the infamous Twisted Oak “Cardiac Cave” (the winery’s barrel-aging cave). (Half Marathon Map)

The Hernia Hill Half Marathon was started by the late Ernie Klann, of Arnold, CA, in 1988,” says Mark Aiton, co-principal of On Your Mark Events. “We are proud to have been associated with Ernie, and proud to continue his race.” The Ernie Klann Half Marathon trophies will be given to the overall male and female Half Marathon winners.

Along with the Ernie Klann Trophies given to ½ marathon male and female winners, medals will awarded to the top three male and female ½ marathon finishers, in each age group, as well as the Clydesdale division (men over 185 lbs., women over 150 lbs. Top male and female 5K and 10K finishers, in their age groups, will be given medals as well. Prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place team finishers in the Rubber Chicken Relay. There will also be Rubber Chicken Relay prizes for best running attire and best/most dramatic finish.

Participants will receive refreshments, T-shirt, awards, raffle ticket, awards, wine tasting, and post-race lunch. Entry fee for the Half Marathon is: $50.00 advance and $55.00 race day, while the 5K and 10K races are $35.00 advance and $40.00 race day. The Rubber Chicken 5K Relay (team of four) is $25.00 pre-registered (each), and $30.00 on race-day (each). (The post-race lunch is available to non-runners at $10.00 per person, $7.00 per non-participant child.)

Twisted Oak Winery is located at 4280 Red Hill Road, in Vallecito, just off Highway 4 (between the towns of Angels Camp and Murphys. The Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races will start at 8:00 a.m., with the Rubber Chicken Relay beginning at 8:15 a.m. Event check-in and registration commences at 6:30 a.m., with the awards lunch following, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m

For more Hernia Hill Half Marathon information and/or an application contact On Your Mark Events at 209-795-7832 or visit their website. To register online, visit ITS YOUR RACE. For nearby lodging information, call the Calaveras County Visitors Bureau at 800-225-3764. To learn more about Twisted Oak Winery, visit their website.

Along with major sponsor, Twisted Oak Winery, additional event sponsors include Barry Ward Realty, Bear Valley Business Association, and Fleet Feet Stockton.