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 2 down on your calendar for the 30th 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” also offers a 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk.

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 three courses finish up dashing through the infamous Twisted Oak “Cardiac Cave” (the winery’s barrel-aging cave), just steps away from the finish line.

The Courses:
All distances are beautifully scenic with hills and finish with a “dash” through the ‘Wine Cave’.
5K – Has one fun hill prior to the finish line
10K – Includes a dash up the finishing hill twice, so you get the punishment twice.
Half Marathon – Utilizes Red Hill Road with a long and very pretty run through the California Hill…beautiful and golden at this time of year.

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 top Half 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 Half Marathon 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.

Participants will receive refreshments, post-race lunch, commemorative T-shirt, awards, and, raffle ticket.

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 Half Marathon Relay (team of four) is $30.00 pre-registered (each), and $35.00 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. Event check-in and registration commences at 6:30 a.m., with the awards lunch following, at 10:30 a.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 Sports Stockton.

Since 1987 On Your Mark Events has produced, managed, and provided timing and results services for more than 1,000 sporting events.  These numerous sporting events include runs, duathlons, triathlons, bike races, swimming competitions, and track and field meets.  Headquartered in Arnold, California (central Sierra), the company is directed by (co-principals and husband and wife) Mark and Kandee Aiton.