09:30
£67
Age 18 & over
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!
This event is part of Bacchus Wine Half Marathon & 10K.
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!
The route is undulating (with one significant hill) and multi-terrain with a bias towards trail. Half of the course is inside the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate, the other half passes through countryside and woodland along the Pilgrims Way and North Downs Way.
It is a demanding route but also a beautiful one offering breath-taking views over the Mole Valley, Ranmore Common and the North Downs. Although some runners choose to run it as quickly as possible, most take a lighter view of the day and take their time to make the most of the drinks stations along the route.
The course is traffic-free but there is one crossing of a major road which will be policed by marshals. The route is clearly marked and signed along the way and there will be marshals at all key turns and junctions.
As the main event, half-marathon runners will experience a full selection of the Denbies wine range with six award-winning English wines to try along the course at five different drinks stations (you'll visit one station both going out and coming back to trial two different wines at that stop). All the wines will be accompanied by a selection of food snacks arranged to enhance the wines and your enjoyment of the event. Please note that wine samples are served and small snacks and limited to one serving per runner. There is more than enough for everyone if you only take one serving at each station.
Since this is still a running event - a half marathon up and over the North Downs is no easy matter - there's also added a HighFive energy station to keep you fueled up between the wine stops.
There is no hard cut off in the race but there are tail walkers at the rear of the field who are there to encourage you not to linger too long at the drinks station. They start after the last wave has departed and have a target of reaching the finish by 2.30pm, so five hours after the first wave departs.
If you are planning to walk the half marathon you are encouraged to book into one of the earlier start waves to give you plenty of time to complete the distance without being hurried along.
Under 18s are not allowed on the half marathon however they are allowed on the 10K and Fun Run.
Entry fee
£67.00