Napa Valley Marathon vs Wineglass Marathon — Marathon Comparison

TDL's review of 2024 race.   

Review

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Tommy's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Really enjoyed this marathon. Busses to the start line parked there so you could sit on board right up to the start time (which was particularly great given the wet weather conditions this year). Really nice course with some small hills. Well organized gear drop and pick up. Very responsive and supportive race organizers. (The wine tasting our group did in Frogs Leap afterwards rounded off a great weekend). This is one I will definitely be back for!

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

MD's review of 2017 race.   

Review

The Napa Valley Marathon is well organized and has one of the most scenic routes of any marathon. The best gear check bag ever (a backpack or duffle bag)! Post race area has everything for everyone, runners or spectators. Showers available for runners after the race.

Race Tips

Due to the isolated route there are low fan support. The rolling hills are longer than it would appear on paper. Be prepared.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Staying in Napa might be the easiest due to road closures on race day. Buses will pick up at sponsor hotels or at the High School (finish line). Lots of discounts at vineyards and wineries for runners pre and post race.

Garrett Gardner's review of 2017 race.   

Review

I loved the scenery and the other runners were very friendly! I got to meet people from all over (40+ countries). It was my first marathon, but it went off without a hitch due to the helpfulness of all the other runners. The course had more hills than I expected which didn't help my time, but it was still awesome and pretty much every uphill had a downhill. The race also hailed near the end, which didn't feel that great (only for about 5 minutes).

Race Tips

Miles 15-20 are pretty hilly. Make sure you don't go out too fast. I did and it absolutely killed my pace for the last 4 miles. Set a pace and wear a watch so you can keep track of how you're doing. GPS actually held up on my Garmin for the most part, so you might be able to get your splits that way.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive at the buses early as to get a good seat. I got in the first bus and was the first on the course (also first in the bathroom lines). I got a hotel in Fairfield because I'm a broke college student, but it worked out great (I did have to get up around 4:15 though).

NW's review of 2016 race.   

Review

Beautiful course, easy check in. Missed racing with headphones.

Race Tips

Net down hill but with some climbs in the first 6 miles.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

NexMiileRunCoach's review of 2026 race.   

Review

First of all, I'm a 3:20 marathoner, so not super fast but definitely trying to PR every race versus running for run which may sway peoples perspectives on the view of the race.

Overall, a solid course for a PR (although you feel like there are more gradual inclines versus downhill than what the course description leads on) the last 5 miles contain a ton of turns through a park, but this is also where the most crowd support is so still very enjoyable. You also have significant crowd support at the halfway point, but the rest of the course you're pretty much out in the country with very little, but the small group around you (this doesn't bother me, but I know it matters to some runners). The website also states that they have porta potties at every water station, but that is not true at all! I didn't see a bathroom until Mile 10 and like mile 20. So, if you have a sensitive gut, I would be hesitant to do this one. Also, the full marathoners are only given 2 large tents to wait in for about 2 hours before the start and they aren't THAT Warm. They just have a couple lights in one of them and this year was only 40 at the start so it was manageable, but just a heads up. The half marathoners get to wait in a school gym and this year they started 45 minutes before the full runners.

Race Tips

They advise that you hop on the buses early, but in reality all 20+ buses are there from the start and I don't think you actually need to get there before 6:10 to make the last 6:30 bus. Pack extra warm clothes if it's below 45 at the start to throw away. They have TONS of porta potties at the start and you won't have to wait more than 5-8 minutes to go at any point. I personally run with a handheld collapsable water bottle and was so happy I did. I personally don't think only getting 2 gulps of water every 2-2.5 miles is enough to offset all the sugar your ingesting, especially if you have a sensitive stomach to gels.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

DO NOT stay in BATH - I've read horror stories that all of the hotels in bath are disgusting and I'm not one to need a 4 star hotel for 12 hours, but these places are disgusting and you need to book your room and the race by May to secure a bib and hotel in Corning. Also, expect to pay $250-350 per night even for a 2 star hotel because they jack up prices for this date. As for dinner, everyone in town appears to also be ordering Olive Garden, so order early because if you wait until 6-7pm it will take well over an hour for your food to be ready. Not a big deal, but just be aware. Overall, it's a solid race and set up for a PR

YI's review of 2025 race.   

Review

The course elevation profile is fantastic - very few races have such mix of gentle rolling hills, and those two hills you see on chart are just bumps if you train properly.

Organization of the race is top notch - especially the post-race - I can't remember the race that offered so much post-race food and replenishments!

Race Tips

A couple things to watch out for: there's very little shade in last 6-8 miles, so if weather plays tricks with you... And the last 2 miles of the course feature a lot of turns - be prepared for those.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Due to the relative remoteness of the area and low population density, the selection of hotels may not be the best, as "downtown" hotels get sold out months in advance. Be prepared to pay somewhat exorbitant prices for lodging that scores 2 stars at most.

Carrie Peters 's review of 2025 race.   

Review

Every part of this race was amazing. Well organized and a fun race!

Race Tips

Great pacers!!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

DB's review of 2024 race.   

Review

I have only good things to say about this race. This was my 8th Marathon and my second favourite next to New York.

It was very well organized. The expo was small but in a great location in the glass museum with plenty of race swag for sale. Loved the jacket. The morning of the race was well organized, very efficient transportation to the start. There were plenty of porta potties and a heated barn was available to warm up in.

The race was mostly a very gentle downhill with a few uphill portions. It was a warm sunny day by the end but low humidity so I was fine as I was able to manage my hydration very well. That being said, I did bring my own electrolytes as the number of stations are not on par with a major race. The support was good, especially at the start in Bath and near the finish.

The town of Corning is beautiful and the Main Street was a perfect spot to finish. There are plenty of great restaurants and brew pubs downtown.

The best part of the race is that I was able to BQ for 2026 as a 70 year old with an 11 minute buffer.

Highly recommend this race.

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We stayed in Pointed Post. The roads close down early so if accompanied by any spectators , make sure they are able to get out in time to get to Corning.

BE's review of 2024 race.   

Review

Only issue is weather can be a little rough.

Race Tips

Bring throw away warm clothes for the start.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)