Families and runners filled the trails at Palatine Hills Estate Winery on Sunday for the first Ramblers Run, a new event organizers hope will become an annual fall tradition in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The event featured a five-kilometre race, a 1.25-kilometre family walk and a dog-friendly stroll, raising funds for the Niagara Children’s Centre.
Event organizer Charles Neufeld, who also manages Palatine Hills Estate Winery, said the idea began with a weekly run club he started and a simple dog trail through the vineyard and grew from there.
“We started out with a dog trail on our farm and just made a loop because we have all this space and we love our dogs,” said Neufeld. “Then we got into running and thought about how to bring the community together.”
This first annual event drew 207 people, twice the number of participants Neufeld had expected. Registration cost between $30 and $40, depending on the race, with about 10 per cent of proceeds donated to the children’s charity.
“We don’t make that much money, but that’s not the point of today,” said Neufeld. “It’s about getting everybody together, getting outside, and enjoying the weather.”
Families filled the vineyard trails throughout the morning, cheered on by volunteers and local vendors. The event included live music, food stands and of course, Palatine’s signature wine.
“It’s great to see the community come together for something like this, and the kids are having such a good time,” said parent Brittany Hudak, who ran the family loop with her eight-year-old daughter, Paisley, and her daughter’s friend Vincent Albino, also eight, who crossed the finish line first in the 1.25-kilometre race.
Dan Jannetos brought his three and four-year-old children, saying both love running and that the Ramblers Run was the first race they’ve ever taken part in.
“I knew about this place because I love their wine, and it was the perfect convergence to bring the kids out and try their first ever 1.25-kilometre,” said Jannetos.
Kintech Footwear and Orthotics sponsored the event and provided prizes for top finishers.
“This was their inaugural year and it fits perfectly with what we do — keeping people active on their feet for life,” said Kintech representative Mike Bosch.
The top three 5K runners received gift baskets with wine included and live music from Feverish Lemons closed out the morning. Neufeld said he was pleased with how the day unfolded and the turnout from across the community.
“Raising awareness for the charities is obviously a huge thing,” he said. “But I think just getting together makes you feel good. It’s good for the soul.”
The Ramblers Run, he added, will become an annual fixture in NOTL’s event calendar.
