Description

On November 4th, 2023, my sister and I ran the Wine Lovers Half Marathon. This event had absolutely no coordination, organization, course/trail markers, medical staff/equipment on site. Participants and myself were very confused with the lack of coordination and support staff available. There were no course markings along the "trail." The event coordinators instructed participants to run aimlessly around the surrounding area near the "starting location." The lack of trail/course markings led participants to run around without any ability to track or know the distance they ran; therefore, making it very difficult to know when/where we finished the race. The "starting location" and staff consisted of two men sitting on a park bench with two cases of Poland Spring water bottles to supply the entire event (see attachment). The event coordinators did not provide any direction or support to the runners bedsides handing a running bib to each participant. As a participant who lives with a chronic illness, I felt very unsafe while participating in this event with no medical personnel or emergency medical equipment available on site. At the end of the event, I overheard one of the event coordinators say to the other coordinator that "this event will pay for my rent this month." On the event's website there is a link to donate, however, there is no indication of what the donations are funding. I feel very unsafe knowing that this "business" has access to my personal information and credit card information from my sign up and am concerned about possible fraudulent charges I may receive receive on my account in the future.