Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon

From there, the course takes runners uphill and northward along Alamo Pintado Avenue, which is home to no fewer than four wineries along the way. Once participants reach the half-way point of the race in Los Olivos, they make the turn and start heading south through Ballard Canyon along the road with the same name. This downhill section of the course, which from mile markers 7 through 9 is considered the race’s fastest section, also features some of its best views. Runners pass field after rolling field of farmland and vineyards through this stretch, as the area’s lush green hills are framed by the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance. After running through Ballard Canyon, the field then joins up with Chalk Hill Road as it nears the town of Solvang for the final couple of miles, passing Hans Christian Andersen Park on the way to the finish line on Copenhagen Drive. The finish line festival, like those of its counterparts in Healdsburg and Napa, features perhaps the real reward of the race — a wine and music festival that’s just starting up in Solvang Park as runners are finishing their race.