Racers run for the rosés

More than 150 people and three dogs showed up early last
Saturday morning to run, walk, scoot or be pushed in a stroller
down Elgin Road in Elgin for the second annual Great Arizona Grape
Stomp Race.

This 5K race started at the Sonoita Hills Church, followed Elgin
Road, wound through Rancho Rossa’s vineyard and finished up at
Callaghan’s Vineyard. Each runner received a wine tote “goody bag,”
a wine glass and a T-shirt. Local wineries offered runners the
opportunity to run on their teams and gave out T-shirts and other
incentives. In addition, runners could enjoy a free tasting with
the purchase of four bottles of wine.

First-place finisher Keith Elkins of Tucson, running as a member of
the team from Kief-Joshua Vineyards, led the pack for the entire
race and finished in a time of 20.04 minutes. He received a basket
of local wines, a ticket to the Phoenix Farm Festival, and a free
entry for a future race.

Second place went to Kevin Todd, representing Canelo Hills Winery.
Wade Dowe finished third. Jenny Dolak of Sierra Vista was the
fastest female runner, followed by Connie Yazzie and Holly Hicks.
Announcer Scott Schoneman, from Patagonia, joked that “A new course
record had been set.

Of, course,” he added, “It is the first time this course has been
used.”

The Patagonia High School cross-country team was represented by
senior Victoria Calabrese and freshman runner Grace McGuire. Local
rancher and businesswoman Grace Wystrach, leading her dog Bella,
walked across the finish line with her grandson Cash Allen, who was
pushed in his stroller by his parents, Amy and Frank Allen. One
group of runners ran the race carrying bottles of sparkling wine,
which they ceremoniously opened and sprayed on each other after the
race.

Part of a series

This race was one of a series of 5K races organized by the Arizona
Winegrowers Association, which works to represent and promote grape
growers and winemakers in Arizona. Races have been held in Willcox
and Cottonwood, as well as in Elgin. A fourth race will take place
in Fountain hills on Nov. 5.

The race was organized locally by Kelly Bostock of Dos Cabezas
WineWorks. Callaghan Vineyards, Canelo Hills Winery, Charron
Vineyards, Dos Cabezas, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, Lightning Ridge
Cellars, Rancho Rossa Vineyards, Sonoita Vineyards, Village of
Elgin Winery, and Wilhelm Family Vineyard all participated in the
event

Race sponsors also included Arizona Wines and Vines Magazine, AJ’s
Fine Foods, the Steakout Restaurant of Sonoita, Marriott, the
Sonoita/Elgin Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Chia, Moffitt Real
Estate and Arizona Wine Tours.