Bacchus is a celebration of wine, music and running!
The course weaves in and out of Denbies Vineyard with sections in the North Downs which is stunningly beautiful but tremendously challenging too.
You'll have chances to sample a selection of wines produced on the estate en route and a selection of snack food - fresh fruit, cheese and biscuits or a selection of deserts - often to the accompaniment of live music.
The wine and food stops are to be savoured and enjoyed rather than to be rushed past at speed. Far from running a PB, it is quite likely that Bacchus will be your slowest ever half marathon or 10K and you should be proud to admit it! It shouldn't be any other way.
Just after the finish is the legendary post-race, hog roast where the music goes on long into the afternoon and early evening!
As the reputation of the event has grown so too has the demand for the places. 2023 sold out some weeks before race date, don't delay your entry if you want to take part in this wonderful event!
Whoever suggested that running and drink don't mix, has never run the Bacchus Wine Half Marathon and 10K. With five wine stations to visit on each lap and six wines to sample, the Bacchus races are definitely events to take your time over. The main events are timed but few runners worry too much about the speed it takes to cover the distance.
Each of the sampling stations will have a different wine to taste, all of them grown and produced on site at Denbies. There is one station that you pass on the way out and on the way back and will serve two different wines along the way. The wines will be a mix of reds and whites and will showcase some of Denbies award-winning English wines including some of the sparkling wines on which the vineyard has forged its formidable reputation (Denbies wine is also vegan).
To accompany the wine, there will be small food snacks at six of the drinks stations, three savoury stations, two fruit stations and one with deserts. There will also be an additional wine-free station that is designated as an 'energy' station which will be visited by both half marathon and 10K runners. It will serve a range of High5 sports nutrition products, including drink, bars, gels and there's also water too.
You'll be able to able to enjoy a further complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink at the finish with the post-run pulled pork party (or vegetarian alternative). Runners simply exchange the tear off vouchers on the front of their numbers for a plate of food and a drink. You can purchase additional items as well. The pulled pork and drinks can also be purchased by family and friends who have come along to support you.
There is no fitness level required at all for Bacchus. Whether you walk or run everyone is welcome to join in the fun. There is no hard cut-off but there is a back marker who starts after the last half marathon wave and will walk the course in roughly 4 hours. The back marker will encourage to keep moving but no one will pull you off the course. If you are worried about your time book into one of the earlier waves to give you more time on the course.
Dogs may be brought along with spectators and must be leashed at all times but are not allowed on the courses or inside any buildings.
Denbies Wine Estate
London Road
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 6AA
UK
As England's largest vineyard, Denbies has been producing award-winning English wines since 1986. The vineyards of Denbies Estate are situated on the famous chalky soil of the North Downs in a protected valley of south-facing slopes.
The registration will be in the black tents on the edge of the main race car park, it will be fully marked and sign posted.
There is a secured baggage area behind the Denbies main building and can be reached by walking through the large marquee to the right.
The event car parks are within the grounds of Denbies Vineyard, Dorking, RH5 6AA. Car parking is free to all competitors and spectators.
In addition to the food and drink served during the race, refreshments are available for purchase from the restaurant and the Hatch pre and post-event. Supporters can also purchase food and drink at the post event hog roast.
Friends, family and supporters are welcome to spend the day at Denbies where they can enjoy indoor wine tasting, the art gallery, the farm shop as well as the wine and gift shop. They are also free to walk around the estate while you are running. Entry to the estate is free of charge and there is ample parking on site for non runners.
Don't forget that in addition to the food and drink, there will be some form of musical entertainment at each drinks station and at other parts of the course. At the last run there was a mix of local bands, a steel-drum band, a rock choir and a Scottish Piper.
That was in addition to the DJ at the start/finish area who keep the party going at the post-race hog roast long into the evening!
You can get to the vineyard via public transport. Dorking Station and Box Hill and Westhumble Station are both a short walk from the vineyard so perfect to ensure you are not tempted to drink and drive!
09:30
£67
Age 18 & over