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Fitstuff G3 Series trail race

Rory roars back with refreshed trail series

Get ready for 'Proper Running Races' in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Fitstuff G3 Series is the total antithesis to the mass participation, speedy road races that tend to dominate the headlines and fixture lists. The popular trail races showcase the stunning Surrey Hills AONB from Newlands Corner, near Guildford, and the good news is the series is back this winter. runABC South reporter Alan Newman was keen to get the low down on the new look G3 Series and put a few questions to the organiser, Rory MacPherson...

Q. Where does the unusual name Fitstuff G3 come from?
A. The brilliant Fitstuff Running Shop and Sports Clinic in Guildford supports and sponsors the series, which has been running since 2004. The original course was 10K, had three major hills and was near Guildford – hence G3!

Q. What is your sporting background?
A. I grew up in the area and have been running, cycling and walking the Surrey Hills all my life. I had been competing relatively seriously in endurance sports (10Ks, triathlons, adventure racing, bike racing) but I got badly injured in a bike crash. So, it was while I was recovering from my injuries that I got involved in race organisation. 

Q. I believe you started organising Fitstuff G3 with Toby Jenkins of AAT Events?
A. Yes, Toby and I developed the Fitstuff G3 Series between us and we have retained it after the sale of AAT Events to The Race Organiser in 2020. We just love it so much we couldn't let it go!

Q. The race website hails Fitstuff G3 as: "Proper Running Races". Can you explain?
A. We reckon the combination of a beautiful but challenging course; choice of race distances; reasonable entry fees; medal or tree planting donation; experienced race organisation and the exclusivity of the 250 race limit sets us apart from the rest of the pack, plus we pre-date and can often out-tough all the new breed of obstacle and mud runs that have followed since!

Q. Why do you limit entries to 250 and why are the races at 8:00am on a Saturday morning?
A. We are limited by the size of the (free) car park and we like the idea of getting the weekend's racing done early to free up time for other things. As we say on the website: Off-Road/Hilly/Early Saturday/No Fuss – says it all, really.

Q. What's new for this winter?
A. In 2023 we have reduced the series to two dates – 14 January and 4 March – with 5K or 10K in January and 10K or 15K in March. This helps with the continued uncertainty of the industry at present. We have a new route in January on trails that have been opened up by landowners but don't worry, we are still on good old St Martha's Hill!

Q. Finally, what can runners expect at a Fitstuff G3 trail race?
A. The best answer I can give is to invite your readers to watch the 2020 event video below and then see if they agree that Fitstuff G3 Series represents the very best in off-road trail running.....

Previous results and event reports at runABC South here

Enter the 2023 Fitstuff G3 Series here

Photo courtesy Sussex Sports Photography / Video courtesy Fitstuff G3 Series

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