36th Annual 'Run Through The Vineyard' Coming To Temecula Wine Country

The following is a news release from Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise:

The Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise announces its 36th annual Run through the Vineyard on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Maurice Car’rie Vineyard and Winery, which has hosted the run for many years. The first Vineyard Run ever in Southern California beginning in 1987, this challenging 2K/5K/10K is run through the rows of the winery’s beautiful vineyards six miles east of Temecula, 34225 Rancho California Road.

The event draws hundreds of runners for all classes from all over southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles and beyond. Because of the way the course is set up, it has gained a “must” reputation among many of the runners who love the wine country layout.

This is Temecula Valley's Premier Running Event! Come run or walk this challenging course through Maurice Car’rie Vineyards and enjoy Temecula's scenic wine country. It is a destination race you will never forget! Registration is limited to the first 800 entrants. The event will take place rain or shine!

To sign up for the race, go online to https://raceroster.com/82405. Or log on to www.temeculasunriserotary.com and click on the link Run through the Vineyard. Team discounts are available. Online registration closes on Friday, April 26 at 11:59 pm or whenever the race is sold out, whichever comes first. Race Day registration is from 6 to 7 am on April 27. You may also go to pick up bibs and/or do pre-race day registration a day ahead at The Running Center in Temecula from 4 to 6 pm on Friday, April 26.

Race times are: 10K at 7:30 am; 5K at 7:45 am; and 2K at 8 am. Awards will be given for 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd place in each age group for 5K and 10K only, and presentation will begin after the completion of the 5K race. Beautiful finisher medals will be given to all walk/run participants, as well as a quality T-shirt. Adults will receive a coupon for 2 for 1 Wine Tasting, to be used on Race Day from 9:30 to 11 am.

Each year, an art contest is held to choose a design for the 10K tee shirt and promote youth art as a service of the Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise. Contestants are students in 9th through 12th grade only, and the deadline for submission this year was late February.

All submissions should include 4 colors maximum, a hand painted or computer graphic design entry on 11" by 14" white paper. Artists must include the event title "36th Annual Run Through the Vineyard" in the design. The winning design this year will be printed on the 2024 race tee shirts with the artist's name below.

The winning artist will receive $400, a certificate, a free t-shirt, and a race medal and is invited to attend the race on Saturday, April 27th. The second-place winner will receive $250 and a certificate. The third-place winner will receive $100 and a certificate. Winners will be announced on March 12th.

This is a non-profit fund-raiser and has two major sponsors, Pechanga Resort Casino and Maurice Car’rie Winery, plus many more supporters whose names will be on the T-shirt. Proceeds from the race are used by the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club to benefit its many community service projects, vocational and academic scholarships, 3rd-grade literacy program at Vail and Temecula elementary schools, youth leadership camps, Chaparral High School Interact Service Club, and many other youth and community programs. The club also provides Safety Town for children ages 5 to 8, to be held in June 2023 in Temecula.

“To date, more than $500,000 has been contributed back into our community from the proceeds of this event,” says Temecula Sunrise Rotary president Mark Sitar.

Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club holds a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. each Tuesday at Journey’s End at Pechanga, the golf course restaurant. The club welcomes prospective members to attend the meetings, which always feature interesting programs. The club is a member of Rotary International, the oldest service organization in the world, having been formed in Chicago in 1905. Rotarians serve their communities and the world.

For information about Rotary or the race, contact Myra Allen, Race Director, at 949-433-8612 or
myallen5330@gmail.com, or Frank Appice, Co-Chairman, at 949-632-5667 or frankappice@earthlink.net.