Making a commitment to exercise after the holidays is a post-holiday habit made by nearly 65 percent of Americans, according to Herbalife Nutrition.
This year, locals will have a helping hand in staying true to their commitment during the Whispering Oaks Christmas Wine Run 5K hosted by The Wine Run 5K.
The race will start at 10 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Whispering Oaks Winery, 10934 S. Hwy 475, Oxford.
There will be live music, food, and, of course, wine available during the Christmas themed race. The cross country style race route will start and finish at the winery. The two-lap course also includes trails and is suitable for both runners and walkers.Tom Jordan, owner of The Wine Run 5K, said one of the main goals for the event is to a bit of extra exposure for local wineries while giving people a fun outlet for exercise.
“Anybody can do a 5K run. It has been really awesome getting new people involved with the sport of running,” Jordan said. “Running is generally something people hate, so it’s nice to have found a way to keep it fun.”
The Wine Run 5K began in Illinois around 2018, before it expanded to feature over 100 wineries to host the races across the nation.
Jordan said that this race is perfect for recreational runners or anyone who wants an excuse to drink a bit of wine.
On average, the race has drawn about 350 runners. And Jordan expects a similar sized crowd this year.
“It’s an awesome experience. It’s a win-win for the runners because they get to have this fun experience at a great venue. It’s usually not what people expect because it’s a lot more scenic,” Jordan said. “We love it because we get to visit all these amazing local wineries.”
Tickets for the event range from $25 for people up to 20 years old, and $40 for those older. The price will increase after Dec. 17.
Registration for the event comes with a swag bag of items — including a t-shirt, a shatterproof wine glass, a finisher medal, a race bib and a pour of wine.
Proceeds from the race will go to the Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club. For more information about the event or to register, visit winerun5K.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
