In the town of Reigate, Surrey, a running club is blending endurance exercise with wine tasting in a novel approach to fitness and socializing. The club, known as Run to Wine, hosts low-pressure runs that conclude with guided wine tastings, creating a unique experience for participants with interests in both running and oenology.
Run to Wine was founded and is led by Katie Brook, an ultra-runner and qualified wine expert. Brook launched the club to foster a relaxed environment where wine lovers and runners can connect while enjoying the outdoors. The typical event covers a roughly 5-kilometer route through local streets, fields, and gentle hills, finishing at the Basil’s winery. There, participants are treated to a curated five-part wine tasting, accompanied by focaccia and charcuterie.
Brook likened the parallels between running and wine tasting, noting that both activities facilitate drop-in social barriers and encourage deeper conversations. She described ultra-running as an extended "picnic" on the move, where aid stations offer a variety of food and drink, including cheese and charcuterie, often paired with wine. The concept of combining running and wine has attracted interest, with Brook referencing the viral 2024 marathon runner Tom Gilbey, who sampled 25 wines during the London Marathon for charity.
On a recent summer evening, a group gathered in Reigate for their weekly run. After a starter pace along the high street, the route meandered through horse fields and a manageable hill before returning to Basil’s winery. Participants tracked their run times using the Strava app, with one runner finishing in just under 34 minutes. The group included a mix of fitness levels and wine enthusiasm, highlighting the club's inclusive atmosphere.
The tasting session featured wines with international provenance, beginning with Villiera Cap Classique brut from South Africa, followed by an Italian soave pinot grigio from Tread Softly, a Cap Amunt rosé, and concluding with a red Vins Oblidats Negre 2024. This post-run ritual offered a communal space for participants to relax and socialize.
The appeal of Run to Wine lies in its balance of physical activity and social enjoyment, attracting individuals who might find traditional running clubs too competitive or intense. One participant, Roxanne D’Souza, cited the club’s sense of community and the reward of wine at the finish line as key reasons for her continued involvement.
The club’s timing coincides with recent data indicating a decline in average running speeds across the UK since the pandemic, with average 5-kilometer times now around 29 minutes for men and 38 minutes for women, according to exercise tracking app Strava. About 13 percent of runs recorded on the app measure 5 kilometers, underscoring the popularity of this distance among casual runners. Run to Wine offers an innovative twist on this trend, combining fitness, leisure, and social connection in one package.