10/6/2018

Run Now Wine Later

Gervasi Winery Canton, OH

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  34:18

Overall Place:  14/ 592

Division Place:  3rd Place

Race Recap By Scott Orlando

The Run Now Wine Later 4.5 mile race held at Gervasi Winery in Canton, OH is a race I look forward to every year.  This year nearly 600 wine lovers took on the hilly trails around Gervasi all for a chance to raise a glass of red or white at the finish.  Numbers where down from last year’s record 1100 registrants, but I believe this is because there were several other local races the same day.  Running conditions were tough with warm temperatures and extremely high humidity.  I started off at a fast pace in the first mile but slowed down on the hilly next two miles.  The last mile is fairly flat and I usually pick up my pace and have a strong kick to finish, but I think the humidity and the previous week’s half marathon got the best of me and my legs just didn’t have it in them.  Thinking I had my division won, I cruised the last mile of the race conceding to the heat and humidity.  I didn’t realize that two runners in my age division were just ahead of me.  I finished in 3rd place in my age division and just 18 seconds off of last year’s pace.  As always, Run Canton did an amazing job organizing the race.  Racers received long sleeve tech shirts, wine stopper finisher medals, and a $10 Gervasi voucher.  I received a wine glass for finishing 3rd which I quickly filled up with my favorite Gervasi red.