RACE INFORMATION UPDATE 3 of 3 

RACE DAY: SUNDAY 20TH JULY 2025

Winery Run is nearly here! The sun looks like it will be shining but it will be a very chilly start to the day! 

We’re counting down the days to the 2025 Winery Run at Wandin Estate. This is your final update before race day, so here’s everything you need to know to help your weekend run smoothly. All information from previous updates is also included in this email. On race morning there will be food, coffee and wine stalls, plus a jumping castle for the kids. It’s shaping up to be an awesome morning of fitness and community! 

Free Limited Bus Transport - PLEASE KEEP READING BELOW FOR INFO ON OUR FREE HUNTER VALLEY BUS SERVICE FOR RACE MORNING. 

Race Kit Pick-up
Your race kit includes your bib (with timing chip attached) and any pre-ordered merchandise.

Location: Wandin Cricket Pavilion, 12 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale
This is the central hub for all starts and finishes.

Saturday 19 July: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 20 July (race day): 5:30am – 10:15am

We recommend picking up your kit on Saturday if possible to avoid queues on race morning. If you can't, please remember, kit collection closes 30 minutes before each race starts. Please allow yourself plenty of time.

What’s next?
Keep up your hydrating and fueling, get your outfit sorted and get ready for a brilliant day out among the vines. We will see you soon at Wandin for race bib pick up. Bring your smiles, your running shoes and maybe a thirst for something celebratory at the finish line.

- The H Events Team

P.S. If you’re already thinking about your next fun run or triathlon, check out our other upcoming H Events:

• The Athlete’s Foot Fernleigh 15 – 15km point-to-point fun run, 19 October 2025

• Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon – 9 November 2025

• We are also excited to announce the Island Triathlon Festival now includes a Saturday morning ‘Stockton Sunrise Run’ on 31 January 2026. Choose from a half marathon, 10.5km or 5km, all on the stunning, flat Stockton foreshore. Early bird entries are now open!

We now have a FREE bus service running to and from the event on race day from around Wine Country. It picks up from the locations listed below and will return to these same spots at 10.30am, 12.30pm or 1.30pm (leaving Wandin at those times). This is a great option if you’d prefer not to worry about parking.

First pick up is at 6.00am from Cessnock Big W, Darwin St, then Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort reception, Pokolbin Village car park, and Rydges Resort Hunter Valley reception. Next pick-ups are between 7.00am and 8.00am.

Please note: this free bus will not arrive at Wandin early enough for the marathon start, but it’s perfect for all other events, including the half marathon. If you'd prefer to skip the hassle of driving and parking at Wandin, this is a great option.

Important: You must book your free bus ticket via the portal below. Seats are limited to just 61 spots per bus. This is a special service just for the event, with two pick-up times in the morning and three return trips after the race. Make sure you check your race start times carefully. The bus will drop you at the front gate on 12 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale. 

See the ticket portal below for more information and to book your free bus ticket.

For those driving, parking officers will direct you when you arrive at Wandin Estate. The parking area is approximately 400m from the race compound. We have lights for early arrivals. 

Course Information

The Winery Run course is easy to follow and absolutely stunning. You’ll be treated to rolling vineyard views and sweeping Hunter Valley countryside, the perfect backdrop for a winter running festival. It is hilly in parts (well, it is wine country after all) but that just makes the views even more worth it.

All races are out-and-back:

• Marathon: 4 laps

• Half Marathon: 2 laps

• 10K and 5K: single loop (5K is approx. half the full loop)

• 2K "Kids Marathon": around the oval and internal roads

The Course:

• Starts on the Wandin Cricket Field

• Heads south to the bottom gate, joins the internal road

• Then north to exit onto Talga Road

• You’ll run approx. 5.5km out to a turn point, then head back to the oval

Runners stay on the southern side of Talga Road, there’ll be slow-moving local traffic on the other side, escorted for safety.

There will be a cracking atmosphere back at Wandin Estate all day with food, wine, stalls and live entertainment for runners and supporters alike.

Course map and profile below.

Weekend Timetable

Saturday 19th July - Race kit collection day
10:00am – 5:00pm — Race kit collection (enter via Wilderness Rd). Parking available near the oval on Saturday. Why not make a day of it? Spectators might like to enjoy lunch or a wine tasting at the Wandin Cellar Door — bookings recommended, call 02 4930 9888.

Sunday 20th July — Race Day
5:30am — Race office opens; food and coffee available at the Wandin Pavilion. Parking in the paddock off Wilderness Rd. 
6:30am — Marathon starts 
7:30am — Half Marathon starts
9:30am — Winery 10.5km starts
10:05am — Wandin Winery Wander 5km starts
10:45am — Kids Marathon (2km) starts
11:15am — Presentation of Awards (overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd race winners only), food,wine and coffee stalls open for all to enjoy while cheering on those who are still finishing. 

Parking and Road Closures

The venue is easy to access via the M1 and Hunter Expressway, take the Lovedale exit from the Hunter Expressway.

Ample parking is available close to the event area. Please enter via 12 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale. On race day, you will be directed to park in the adjoining paddocks. Please note that the ground is uneven in places and may be a little damp. Please drive slowly and take care when walking.

Important: Do not attempt to enter Wandin via Talga Rd - it will be closed. 

Aid Stations and Toilets

There will be two aid stations along the course. You’ll pass them twice per lap, at approximately 2.5km and 5km, and again at 7.5km and 10.5km for those completing multiple laps.

Aid stations will provide water and electrolyte drinks. Please drink responsibly and dispose of cups in the bins provided past each station.

Toilets will be available at the start/finish area and at the halfway point along Talga Rd (around the 2.5km mark of each lap).

Food and drinks

The Wandin team will be cooking up a storm on race day.

From 6:00am, enjoy a delicious breakfast with bacon and egg rolls, soups with a bun, sausage rolls and pies, and muffins.

From 11:00am, a range of warm and hearty lunch options will be available - the perfect winter feed after your run.

Coffee vans will also be on site, ready to fuel our runners and spectators throughout the morning.

You can enjoy your favourite Wandin wines, local beer, soft drinks or coffee all day after 11am.

Relax after the event on the cricket oval, with tables and chairs provided, or bring along a picnic rug and settle in. The oval enjoys full sun all day, with all facilities close by. We’ll also have live music into the afternoon, so plan to stay and soak up the atmosphere.

REFUND AND TRANSFER POLICY

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Hunter Valley for an incredible winter running festival. See you on Sunday! 

– The H Events Team