Bacchus Half Marathon & 10K

Next Race: 13/09/2026

Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA

Overall Rating

4.7/ 5

169 reviews
Would you recommend it to others? Yes
How did you rate the scenery? 5/5
How did you rate the atmosphere? 5/5
How did you rate the organisation? 5/5
Do you think this was friendly to beginners? Yes
Laura Caley

Excellent!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for coming along and leaving your feedback! It is much appreciated!!

Fiona Dos Santos

Accessible and fun but going downhill

The event is fun, friendly and such a good event to get people started on half marathons. The scenery is lovely and the atmosphere is the most positive and friendly of all races. We started for the dance this year which was a blast.
However, we have been a few times now and although the price is the same, the food is getting worse. There used to be doughnuts, éclairs, brownies, a selection of cheeses. One of the stops this time we're chocolate cranberries... it was pitiful and absolutely not value for money. Felt cheated. Add to it that the queues were poor, the distance was not a half marathon and some of the staff were quite aggressive - no "hello" just "only one" - to the point one of our group didn't accept the drink as they felt so pressured. It's a real shame as this has always been such a fun event. This time, it felt a bit like cattle eating scraps.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi there, Thank you for leaving your feedback, it is much appreciated. We had to make a few decisions along the way in order to keep Bacchus sustainable and due to some previous negative feedback! In previous years we had more options of food, but people took more than they were supposed to and so people at the back were left with no food. By cutting down the food options we were able to ensure that everyone was provided with food. This also has caused our instructions to be clearer with our volunteers, who do a fantastic job! We have to instruct them to set firm boundaries otherwise people take advantage of the good nature of the race and spoil it for the other runners who do not receive anything. Queuing is something we are actively working on and are looking for ways to make the event run smoother at those drink stations! Thank you for getting back to us and leaving your feedback, we will assess these comments and try to implement them next year. All the best, 209 Events team

Annaliza Jahnke

Really good event but a little improvement required

It was a really good event which we really enjoyed however we couldn't believe there was no water station at the halfway mark. It was a very hot day and this meant some of us struggled needlessly. There were also some inconsistencies between the paper information and the information on the website

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi there, Thank you for leaving your feedback for us. We agree that it is unacceptable to have stations that run out of water, we have been trying to actively manage the water stations and we understand that not letting this happen again is vital to the race. We managed to re -supply this station but unfortunately it was too late and we missed some runners passing through. We will actively work towards making sure this doesn't happen again. Could you let us know what information was different between the instructions and the actual events of the day please so we can make sure that everyone is receiving clear communication from us. Thank you again, 209 Events team

Gwenael Gougay

A great day out in great atmosphere

Water station 2 running out of water, treats not as good quality as previous events

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your feedback, we will make a note of this and try to improve on your comments. All the best, 209 Events team

Julie Smith

Well organised with a great atmosphere

So well organised and really good value for money.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated!! Best, 209 Events team

Michelle Woodward

Fun event, beautiful scenery

Course was confusing at times and would have been helpful to have stewards at those points. Food was not great for veggies and exactly the same as two years ago. Some paths very narrow and some signs unclear if for 10k or half ( colour coded ones were ok)

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your note on the signs, this is very helpful feedback, we are planning on using different coloured signs for the 2026 version to make things clearer for the course. When you mention the food, are you referring to the post race party or the food on the course? Please drop us an email so we can improve it!! Thank you for your feedback, it really does help us improve the race for everyone! Best 209 Events team.

Rachel Hurst

Ran out of water at the water station on a hot day, and none available until the end, despite being told there was more in a mile. Perhaps could be more organised or have more available next year

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your email, the feedback is very useful! We agree that water stations should not be running out of water and are looking on improving the communication between stations and the re-supply team. Unfortunately the water that did get re-supplied took too long! Apologies for this, hopefully we will see you at another race in the future! Best, 209 Events team

Nick Yates

Cracking event, great atmosphere

Has expanded significantly since 2024. As such the support infrastructure was a little stretched - queues for water etc and no macaroons!! Otherwise, fantastic as per usual.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you very much for the feedback. We are actively trying to improve the waiting times at some of the stations and we completely understand that needs to get better. In regards to the macaroons, we miss them too!! Unfortunately we couldn't source enough for the race in time. Hopefully they will be making a strong return next year. Thank you again, 209 Events team

Joanne Pearce

really great day out

we hope to do it again next year and will do the half marathon. Scenery was amazing
thank you

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. Hopefully see you next year!! 209 Events team

Anita Lewis

Fun but on a challenging scale

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for the feedback!! 209 Events team

Derek Ryan

A great day!!

It was my first half marathon. I really have to say it was impressive and well organized!! A beautiful venue too!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your comments, much appreciated!! Best 209 Events team

Nina Tait

The most fun I've had at a running event

100% recommend this event. It was so well organised and a lot of fun. The wine and nibbles were a welcome pitstop after the 'many hills' and were spaced really well. The food and drink at the end was also fantastic. Will definitely enter again.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you so much for your comments, really nice to see people get to enjoy the event and take part! All the best, 209 Events team

Simon Svensson

Great race with beautiful scenery.

I would have liked twice as much wine...

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Couldn't agree more!! Thanks for leaving us a review. Best 209 Events team

Rebecca Evins

Undulating wine based fun!!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for leaving us a review! Hopefully see you next year!! 209 Events team

Fran Richards

Fun but testing run

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for your feedback!! 209 Events team

Tunde Adeyemo

It is a bit of a Bacchanalian festival

Bacchus Half

Don't come and do the Bacchus Half to get a PB.
Do come if you love a massive medal.
Weather permitting, you'll get beautiful views, it has tasking climbs, but you can walk the hills.
Come for the festivities, the taste of gourmet cheese and wine sampled at water stations along the route.
Come for the lively company of fancy dressed revellers intent on fun.
Come for the finishing party with a great meal and more wine.
Just come for an exhilarating experience that might find to be a relationship builder.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Love this, thank you very much for your feedback! Best 209 Events team

Neil Sykes

A well organised event

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for your feedback, 209 Events team

Alina King

Beautiful place and fun atmosphere

Please more water stations! On the 11am start for10K, we only had a water station at 2k and 9k. Other stations closed/ran out of water and it was a incredibly hot day.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Hi, Thank you for your feedback, we understand the lack of water at the middle station was frustrating. We will definitely be fixing this next year. Best 209 Events team

Carol Shaw

Non stop party on the run. Challenging but hugely enjoyable

Great atmosphere, very well organised. Lovely to do a long run without pressure and lots of fun distractions.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you very much for your feedback! Best 209 Events team

George Hesson

incredible

Loved this event! very well organised and the atmosphere was amazing. Heres a few things that could be improved. I think it would be good if sunscreen was available at some of the stops. it would be good if the bands were also at the after party as the DJ was a bit repetitive. It would be good if the brewery was open as well and there were some more seating.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2025
Organiser comment:

Thank you for the feedback, this is really useful and we will take onboard your points in our post race meeting with Denbies. Best, 209 Events team

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