A Good Run, producer of the Hallowine Run (formerly the Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathon) has been forced to cancel its Hallowine Run, a half marathon and 10K scheduled for Saturday October 26. The cancellation was due to the Kincaid Fire, responsible for burning over 16,000 acres in northeast Sonoma County, California.
The race was to start at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, which is currently closed due to the fire.
The Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department contacted the Race Director, Matt Dockstader to inform him that the permit was being revoked and cancelled ‘due to the conditions which pose significant health and safety concerns for participants and residents.’
Dockstader had been in communication with law enforcement, and was expecting this result. “I had to cancel the 2017 event due to the wine country fires,” said Dockstader. “When I saw the emergency vehicles buzz by me last night and then turned on the news I couldn’t believe it was happening again, and this time right there in Geyserville just two days before our event. We totally support the decision by Sonoma County as our main concern is the safety and well-being of the those immediately affected by the fire.”
The event producers held their race expo as planned on Friday, October 25, in Historic Railroad Square from midday to 18:00 PT. This was free and open to the general public. It featured exhibitors, product sampling and demonstrations, fun runs, food trucks, wine tasting, beer garden, music, a raffle, games and more.
A percentage of proceeds from wine, merchandise and beer sales will go to fire relief; and leftover race shirts and food goodie bags will be donated to fire victims and responders. Race participants and their families and friends were encouraged to attend as they will receive complimentary tastings and can pick up their race items if desired.
A notice was sent to all race participants on Thursday, October 24, alerting them to the cancellation and the expo event, which evolved into a Fire Victim Rally Event and expo.
A Good Run also produces the IPA10K and Beer Mile, which was held in May this year but was affected by local flooding.
www.hallowinerun.com
www.agoodrun.org
