Going for the full fat Bacchus option

After having a great experience running the Bacchus half marathon last year I some how found myself running the full marathon this year with running buddies Chris and Tony. 

In case your unfamiliar with Bacchus you can get a feel for the event from my previous post here but basically its a trail run in and around Denbies vineyard where fancy dress is strongly encouraged with wine and a whole host of snacks available to runners on route. 

So you are correct to assume that its an event that is basically a party with a bit of running thrown in. You would also be correct to assume that running 13 miles as opposed to 26 miles as part of this party would make it more enjoyable and less of a strenuous test of fitness and endurance. 

Never the less I found myself up at 5.30, out of the house at 6.30 having a lift to the station (thanks wife, much appreciated) to catch the 6.51 train. 

I soon found myself on the 8.04 from Waterloo heading deep into Surrey with a good supply of coffee and jaffa cakes as a magical transformation took place to transform three average runners into three suitably attired gallant musketeers looking the part as 18th century French gentlemen ready to defend King and Country if necessary. 

Our transformation complete we made our way into race HQ to pick up our race packs and drop our bags off. Having successfully negotiated the crowds of pirates, bees, pixies, minions, unicorns, Roman centurions chilling out before the later start of the half marathon we took our place on the start line with a little over 100 other hardy souls ready to take on the full fat marathon experience.

So the race is pretty simple, drink stops every 2 miles or so and 2x 13 mile laps for us marathon runners. 

The course is predominantly trail, very pretty in parts, some great views over rural Surrey as we ran through vineyards, fields, shady woods and up steep hills. 

The drink stops provided much needed rest bite and refreshment on what was a hotter than expected late summers day.

A full range of wines were available at the different stops along with a variety of snacks including mars bars, jaffa cakes, biscuits, cakes, fruit, sweets, crisps, popcorn and even cocktail sausages at one stop which were an unexpected treat. 

Our costumes were well received and we merrily greeted runners, cyclists, motorists and walkers alike with enthusiast cries of 'Bonjour!', 'Allez!' and 'En Guard!', well we were enthusiast on the first lap in any case!

It was great to chat with the marshals on the course and at the stops and of course with other runners on route, special mention so Scary Spice and the Stormtropper! 

The party atmosphere was definitely missing from my experience from the previous year as we missed pretty much all the bands (with the exception of the last few tracks from Paparazzi at stop 4), drink stops despite enthusiast marshals were sparse of runners as opposed to the heaving, buzzing party venues they would have been for the half marathon runners. 

We still very much enjoyed ourselves though chatting and joking  amongst ourselves and trying to convince passers by that we felt as 'cool as a cucumber!' in our costumes. (For the record they were a bit toasty but not too bad). The red wine and cheese at stop 7 and the sparkling wine and chocolate brownie at stop 4 provided a much needed sugar rush on the second lap. 

Overall my verdict would be that that the marathon is too tough as the course is actually pretty brutal and you cant afford to take it lightly by messing around with wine and snacks. Secondly you miss all the party action which is really why you sign up to this event in the first place. it was also disappointing to find most of the drink stations packing up shop on the second lap and the race HQ closing down by the time we finished in just over 6 hours. Not that slow a marathon time and certainly not a slow time when you consider the time spent stopping to chat, drink wine or eat snacks. 

For me personally the race was tough as since Spitfire Scramble 4 weeks ago I haven't really trained and have only managed 9 miles as my longest run. Compared with Chris and Tony who are both well into training for Autumn marathons posting some impressive times and distances in recent weeks I struggled to keep pace. The first lap was OK and up to around mile 15 was just about bearable but after that it became painfully tough and the last 2 miles were struggle as my knee started playing up. Thanks for slowing down for me guys, all for one and one for all! Still we weren't looking to go to fast as we were aiming for a collective worst marathon time which we smashed by 19 minutes! Woohoo! PWs all round! 

Further disappointment was with the medal and finishers t-shirt as although I really like the designs of both the medal is exactly the same as last year and the t-shirt is incredibly similar.

Spot the difference?

Minor moans aside the event is very well organised and incredibly well supported by the marshals, what a very enjoyable way to bring up marathon number 10 and a brilliant event to provide my temporary swansong from longer distances. I am very proud to be becoming a father for the first time in the next month or two so running will have to go on a bit of a back burner for the time being but I will be back!

Making the most of the Bacchus experience

The Bacchus half marathon and marathon running events form part of an exciting day of running activities at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking Surrey. This is no ordinary running event as it comprises a heady mix of long distance running, wine tasting, fancy dress and fun. 

I am by no means a seasoned Bacchus veteran having only taken part in the event once as a half marathon runner last year but I feel Like I got a good idea of the spirit of the event. By the way I was St George chasing my brother in law the Dancing Dragon.

To see how I got on last year and to get a feel for the event you can read my blog here, or watch this great video of last years run. 

Here's my advice on making the most of this fun filled event:  

1. Fancy dress - it's got to be done, don't worry about looking odd, this is an event where you will look out of place if your not dressed up! 

2. It's all about the fun not the run - yes it's a running event but if you were to focus solely on the running aspect you would miss out on so much, so be ready to soak in the full experience. 

3. Make sure you make the most of tasting Denbies mighty fine wine range.

Sure you will be able to taste plenty of wine during the run but try to take the time to experience a full glass as well. 

Why not incorporate a glass into a pre race stretch as part of your warm up? 

4. Eat, drink and be merry

You will get the idea very quickly that the event is pretty much a party with a bit of running thrown in so make sure you enjoy the party atmosphere! 

Make sure you replenish those calories.

From the wine stops mid race to the heavily laden tables of snacks at the fuel stops and not forgetting the hog roast burger at the end there's plenty of opportunity to fill your boots! 

Whether running the half marathon (good choice) or the full marathon (you crazy fool) you will need to consume plenty of calories to keep you fueled during your race.

Luckily there is a plentiful supply of food and snacks on the course to keep you going! 

5.Take the time to take in the views 

Its a stunning course with some brilliant scenery, so don't be afraid to stop staring down at that Garmin and take in the sights!

6. Take home a souvenir or two, and I'm not talking about the race medal or tshirt. 

A bottle or two of something to take home to help reminisce on the day doesn't sound like such an awful idea now does it?

However you approach the race and however you choose to enjoy the day I hope that you indeed do.

Bacchus is a very social race so stay in touch on social media by following event organisers Events to Live and Denbies reporter, Denbies Big Twit and follow all the goings on with #BacchusTime. I will be more than likely live tweeting my own escapades during the race  so follow me to see how it all pans out!

Having fun at the Bacchus Half Marathon

At the weekend I ran in the Bacchus half marathon, in case you wondering which of the millions of half marathons out there that this is then let me clarify, 

It is 'THAT' one. 

You know the one you have read about on Runners World? 

The one you have heard people talk about and your not sure if it's true, the one that seems to be the stuff of legend, that is too good to be true, yes THAT one around the vineyard with all the wine!

Ready to attack the Bacchus Half Marathon

If you haven't ran it before or haven't heard of it the Bacchus marathon and half marathon are events ran from the Denbies wine estate in Dorking, Surrey and take their name from Bacchus the Roman God of wine. Not only do you get to enjoy the beautiful vineyard and the stunning Surrey scenery you als get to experience their delicious wine. The half marathon comprises of 7 scheduled wine stops, starting with white wine before working through some red and rose culminating in the last two stops serving celebratory sparkling wine. 

Bacchus is certainly no ordinary half marathon.

Some amazing Surrey scenery which my camera does not do justice to

Firstly it's run around a picturesque vineyard in rural Surrey.

Secondly at least 80% of participants wear fancy dress and amble their way around rather than running against the clock.

 

Wine, so much wine...

And thirdly all the drink stations serve wine from the Denbies wine estate, but not just wine, water, energy gels, and all manor of snacks you could possibly want. I am talking biscuits, crisps, chopped up mars bars, bananas, orange segments, jelly babies and other sugary sweets, quite a banquet!

Food, all the food!

Pretty much everyone I have spoke to about this race has agreed runner an non runner alike that this would be their kind of race as it sounds like so much fun. 

And it certainly is a lot of fun! I had an awesome time, easily the most fun I have had during a race and I would say I have really enjoyed the majority of my races. 

You know when you have a race where you are constantly overtaking and then being overtaken by a handful of other runners and you build up a bit of camaraderie with then? Imagine this but better because everyone is having fun not worrying about split times and PBs and because everyone is in fancy dress and has had a fair bit of alcohol and then not only are you chatting with people as you run past each other but having a drink and a chat with them every two miles or so at every drinks station. 

Another drink stop, and more wine

I ran the race with my brother in law Tom and we ended up wearing St George and the dragon costumes, me as the knight St George (or King Arthur as I was commonly referred to) and Tom as the dragon (or the devil as several people seemed to think not least a startled gentleman dressed up as a vicar!).

Slaying the dragon for the first but certainly not the last time.

We started the day with a pre race wine, (well it would be rude not to!) and set out just to enjoy the day and run at a comfortable place.

Pre race stretching with a cheeky pre race wine, if Carling did races...

We took our time enjoying each and every drinks station, the wine, the bands and the people.

Hamming it up again!

Along the route we enjoyed hamming it  up to the max our characters as I pretended to theatrically slay the mighty dragon, needless to say neither of us will be winning any Oscars any time soon! 

We both marveled and appreciated some of the stunning scenery and reflected on just enjoying a great running experience.

A zebra, just one of some of the friends we made along the way...

But most of all we enjoyed the atmosphere, the banter and the friendships we made along the way with superheroes, hula girls, fairies, bumble bees, ghostbusters and zebras to name but a few. It was great to run with, chat with, dance with and drink with all of yo, as they say it's people that make an event so thank you to everyone who helped make the day awesome!