Bacchus Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (34 votes). | 1 to 10 of 34 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture (34 votes) | | Overall score | | 95% | | How many would do it again? | | 96% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 97% | | PB potential | | 46% | | Atmosphere | | 90% | | Organisation | | 88% | | Value | | 67% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 79% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Ed Bailey
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb well organised race
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed this race despite the very hot conditions. Thought the course was picturesque, and all the marshals, and those at the drink stations were fantastic giving you encouragement and being really supportive.
Whilst the cost may appear a bit steep it's well organised,, plenty of water and other refreshments, a good atmosphere and a nice meal at the end to help you recover.
One of the best marathons i've done in terms of organisation. Would highly recommend this to anyone, and thoroughly pleased I did it.
Date of review: September 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lemony
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: If you want to enjoy running 26.2 miles, enter this race.
In full: I entered this race almost at the last minute as it fell on my birthday and I fancied the experience of conducting a wine tasting whilst running a marathon (my friends think I'm very strange). I'm in training for a different marathon so this was to be my last long slow run.
The course comprises two-laps, mostly off-road with one long hill (a slog rather than a pain) and, just when you think you're going to be going back down, another short steep uphill section. It's then a steep descent on road to the finish of each lap.
There are six wine tasting stations en route, plus sparkling wine at the mid-way point. I tried the wine on the first lap, but decided to up the pace on the second lap so stuck to water (it was a ridiculously hot day). I'd recommend the wine tasting (if you drink) - it's part of what makes the race different and with lots of water and food I didn't notice any adverse effects from the small quantities of wine consumed.
There's a small field for the marathon with a larger half marathon field that sets off one hour later so marathoners may well catch up with the slower half marathoners. This means that the course feels pretty quiet during the first half, but rather busier in the second half, especially at the water stages when you're trying to grab water whilst others are milling round and taking things easy. Luckily, no-one minded me charging past them. But perhaps the marshals could be more aware of the faster runners during the second half and hold out cups of water as they did during the first half.
My one complaint is that there were serious problems with the chip timing and differentiating between marathoners and half marathoners. This was eventually resolved over the next few days, but it meant they couldn't hold a prize giving on the day. Not a problem for most runners, but I won the ladies' race and as this was the first race I'd ever won I was really disappointed. Hopefully this will be resolved for future years as it marred what was otherwise one of the best racing experiences I've ever had.
Date of review: September 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: David Ross 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic Race ,loved the route and the organisation was 1st class, fabulous overall.
In full: This is definately a race worth doing, it's a challenging course but you get to run amidst osome lovely scenery and will get rewarded with a nice Medal & Tech T-Shirt afterwards and in additional a lovely Hog Roast & Glass of Wine or Beer - yummy !!
Date of review: September 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: natchie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A great place to do your first X/C Marathon !!
In full: Great race! Great camaraderie ! Great family/runners atmosphere!
It has everything, to put a smile on your face.
Date of review: September 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Purple Tiger
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A great event, well organised & marshalled - with lots of "goodies"
Date of review: September 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: checkmate
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: my hardest but best marathon
In full: water stations - excellent (wine, jellybabies, gel, water, isodrink)
marshalls - excellent
route - hard, but really enjoyable
One big climb two times plus a couple of small ones.
BBQ, wine, very good atmoshphere
With my training I was not completely ready for this challange and done my PW of 5hours, but I still find it the best marathon of the 7 I have done so far this year.
Date of review: September 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Barry Light
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The Bacchus Marathon is the English equivalent to the famous Le Marathon du Medoc in Pauillac near Bordeaux, France. The Bacchus is a great local alternative for us Brits.
In full: Back for my hat-trick of runs at the Bacchus Marathon and the third year of this fabulous event which is fast becoming a regular on the marathon scene. Organised by Runners and Triathletes Alan and Nicky of ‘Events to Live’ the marathon, half marathon and fun run are based at the marvellous 'Denbies Wine Estate' near Dorking in Surrey and fancy dress and drinking wine is definitely encouraged. The Bacchus Marathon (named after the Roman God of Wine) starts and finishes in England’s largest vineyard and is a two lap undulating and multi-terrain course with a heavy bias towards off road, using footpaths along the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims Way. I completed the inaugural event in 2010 with a time of 3:56 which I was really pleased with - If you would like to read more then check out my full blog here at http://60in60at60.com/2012/09/10/m36-bacchus/
Date of review: September 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nick Plant
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Sun, wine and hills; a perfect combination?
In full: A great shout out to all the organisers/marshalls for a wonderful day. Everthing went like clockwork and one of the most fun days I have had in a long time!
Date of review: September 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gary Stringer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Friendly, well-organised and an enjoyable challenge.
Date of review: September 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sir Cowarde de Custarde
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hot and hilly in 2012, but I shall certainly do it again.
In full: This is one tough race, although the wine did little (if anything) for my time. I was pleased I opted for the fancy dress as it helped me to feel more part of the event, even if I suffered somewhat as a result of my choice of clothing (because of the heat). If in doubt, do it!
Date of review: September 11, 2012
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