We came for the miles, but let’s be honest, we savored the memories.
Our Run Napa destination race weekend was everything we hoped for and more — scenic routes, finish-line breakthroughs, laughter-filled dinners, crazy karaoke and dancing, and the kind of bonding you only get when 55 women chase big goals side by side. Between race day adrenaline and wine country vibes, it was a great weekend of fitness, fun and friendship.
Friday kicked off with travel day adventures as groups arrived ready to soak it all in, from crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to wandering beneath the towering redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument and enjoying a scenic drive through wine country.
Our weekend revolved around the unforgettable miles of the Napa Valley Marathon, Half, and 5K. We made the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa our home base, the perfect hub for race weekend. As host site of the expo and race-day shuttles, it made everything seamless, allowing our runners to focus on what mattered most: showing up strong and ready to run. A beautiful courtyard, with daily wine pours and nightly s’mores by the fire pits, was a complete bonus.
We welcomed everyone with awesome swag valued at over $120 by our friends at Adidas, and games and prizes before and after the VIP race reception. Are we still craving the charcuterie and coconut shrimp?
Saturday morning, we woke up to a terrific yoga session in the courtyard, followed by a shakeout run or walk down the path right outside our hotel. We then met up for the expo and a fantastic speaker session with three-time Olympian Shannon Rowbury and PT expert Jessica Dorrington, co-authors of the book Strong As a Mother. It was an entertaining session filled with personal stories from the Olympics to motherhood, and expert advice about staying injury free as runners, women and moms.
Our group then had the afternoon free to explore beautiful wineries around the Valley, enjoy massages at the spa, tour Downton Napa, or relax by the pool.
We joined back together for our Polka Dot Pasta Party (we always have a theme!) to carb load the night before race day! We filled out the evening with a runners’ version of “Name That Tune.”
Sunday started with an early wake up call as race day arrived. Most of our athletes took on the Half Marathon or 5K, and for several women it was their very first half marathon finish. Our sole marathoner, Teri Searles, delivered an incredible performance and earned a personal record at the Napa Valley Marathon.
At the finish, we gathered in our private room where runners reunited, picked up their gear, enjoyed well earned donuts and the famous finish line soup, and soaked in every moment of accomplishment together.
In the afternoon, runners had some well-deserved free time to explore, whether that meant wine tastings, vineyard tours, hikes, or simply relaxing. That evening, we embraced our “Glam Grunge” theme with a delicious three-course dinner, followed by a lively karaoke session that kept the celebration going late into the night.
Our final full day offered a choice of two stunning hikes, a lively wine tour through Sonoma, and a finishers’ fiesta with a Color Party theme at the Napa Women’s Club, where we celebrated by dancing the night away.
Visit our Google photo album to relive some of the fun.
To everyone who joined us in Napa Valley, thank you for spending your weekend with us. We hope it was unforgettable. And for those who haven’t experienced one of our destination weekends yet, we can’t wait to welcome you next year!
