It’s not often that I return to a race after a full decade away, but that’s exactly what happened this year at the 10th annual Run for the Oaks 10K. I first ran this event during its inaugural year, and somehow ten years slipped by before I made my way back to Left Coast Estate.
Standing at the start line this time around felt both nostalgic and eye-opening—a personal reminder of how fast time moves and how meaningful some of these races become in hindsight.
The setting: Left Coast Estate
Located in the heart of the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Left Coast Estate is worth a visit even without a race on the agenda. With its laid-back and welcoming vibe, this isn’t your average stuffy winery. The tasting room is stylish yet unpretentious, and the expansive lawn is ideal for relaxing before or after the race—especially with kids in tow. Bonus points: the wood-fired pizza is delicious and even the kids approve.
The course: A true vineyard trail experience
Spanning over 500 acres, the property offers a true vineyard-to-vine trail run without repeating sections or venturing far from home base. The course sticks almost entirely to Left Coast’s property, winding through oak groves, vineyard rows, past barns, alongside a small lake, and across dusty farmland. It’s a trail runner’s dream in a compact, thoughtfully curated package…