Bewl Bubble Run is the latest version of the traditional Lamberhurst New Year's Day 10K that has moved to the sprawling countryside park that surrounds Bewl Water reservoir – the largest body of inland water in southeast England containing 31.3 million litres of water.

The spacious venue is situated approximately two miles from Lamberhurst and the park straddles the Kent and Sussex border. The 800-acre parkland affords miles of scenic paths to explore and in the case of Bewl Bubble Run – run!

Everyone needs some bubbles at New Year and the Bewl Bubble Run organisers Nice Work recognised that fact and delivered this brand new concept. All finishers, who were eligible by age, received a free glass of fizz on completion and the festive fun atmosphere was enhanced by the deployment of four giant bubble machines at the start line.

With the bubble cannons lifting the gloom there were three events on offer: Bewl Bubble Run 10K; Bewl Bubble Run 5K and a Prosecco-free Bewl Bubble Fun Run for the youngsters.

The adult races were held on a 5K loop course with spectacular views of the reservoir and unique medals to remember the experience on New Year's Day 2023. The events were fully sold out, so this is one to enter early next year.

The 10K was won by Stuart Piper (HY Runners, 37:38) from Ashley Vora (Hastings Runners, 39:22). Only the first two men beat 40 minutes on the challenging course. Third across the line was the first woman, W35 Claire Altmann (Thames Hare and Hounds, 41:46), with 35 seconds in hand over sixth-placed W40 Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris (unattached, 42:21).

The single-lap 5K winners were the first two finishers to sample the bubbly. Jamie Kingdom (Uckfield Runners, 18:06) managed to stay ahead of W50 Annabel Preston (Weald Triathletes, 21:10). There were 99 finishers in the 5K and 172 in the 10K, with all runners home in 1:35:29.

Full results can be viewed at runABC South race listing here

Image courtesy Bewl Water events