Fitstuff G3 Series 2023 kicked off in style as 211 runners enjoyed, or endured, extremely testing conditions at Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills AONB on Saturday (14 January).

Race Director Rory MacPherson promised a tough course but had not accounted for the influence of Mother Nature, as he describes in his race summary: "As promised by the G3 team, the event delivered! There was biblical rain, wind, mud, fallen trees, and given the conditions, some astonishing results."

Last month, runABC South interviewed Rory MacPherson, the driving force behind the Fitstuff G3 Series of trail races, and discovered the reason behind the unusual G3 name (near Guildford, three main hills). Things have moved on a bit since the events started in 2004 but the basic concept remains the same – challenging courses, natural obstacles, off-road, hilly, choice of race distances, no fuss.

After a slight weather-enforced delay the first of this year's double-header in the Fitstuff G3 Series was off into the quagmire of forest trails, with either 10K or 5K of muddy mayhem ahead of the competitors.

The 10K runners had the bonus of two severe climbs of St Martha's Back Passage – the dark, steep footpath that winds its way up to St Martha's Church on the 574-foot summit of St Martha's Hill, frequently referred to in ancient documents as Martyr's Hill.

Despite the potential for a breakaway, the 10K race was incredibly close. Ed Fisher (47:47) held on for a narrow win from Neil Hayfield (M40, 47:48) and Vincent Kamp (M40, 48:09). The women's race was also in doubt until the final surge for the line as Stephanie Quadranti (53:04) claimed the victory from Fay Cripps (W40, 53.10) and Andrea Stehlikova (57:41).

Just 41 athletes beat the hour and there were 192 finishers in 1:39:59.

The 'easy' option of 5K was taken by only 19 entrants and the winners were Oliver Hussan (23:39) and Charlotte Ord (W40, 26:28).

The second and final Fitstuff G3 Series races are on Saturday 4 March 2023 at 8:00am and the distances on offer are 10K and 15K. Entries are being taken now at the Fitstuff G3 Series website.

Previous results and reports at runABC South race listing here.

Image of top three men in the 10K courtesy Rory MacPherson