The Bacchus Wine Marathon in Surrey

The Bacchus Wine half and full marathons are combined into a sociable fancy dress and wine tasting event. Three Mighty Green/Pink Sidmouth ladies took part, Helen Palmer doing the half, whilst Jane Hemsworth and Jo Earlam took on the full marathon. Jane is celebrating a landmark Birthday soon and this is Jo’s 60th marathon, so a fifties/sixties style kit was made.

The first third of the route was tough going, so with the tight cut off time of 2 and a half hours on the full marathon Jo and Jane steered clear of the wine, or so they say! Jane suffered a fall, got stung by a feisty wasp and there were chafing issues with the modified pink kit, and all before the halfway point! With their spirits revived sting and cuts treated, Jo and Jane got on with the task of the second lap.

Meanwhile, Helen was taking full advantage of the on course entertainment with music, wine and nibbles at every water (I mean wine) stop. She also enjoyed being with the other 2000 sociable half marathoners, including Chris Evans and Vassos Alexander who were both in her wave at the start line. Jo and Jane missed out on the main party, making do with under 200 other full distance runners.

Helen completed the half in 2h:37m and enjoyed more wine and the hog roast, leaving Jo and Jane to cross the finish line in 5h:06m, coming in 95th and 96th respectively, both ladies added on the extra distance to finish the 26.2 Miles in 5h:27m.