It was close to freezing, misty and damp underfoot but that did not deter 343 runners in the 10K (in 1:24:24); 103 finishers in the 5K (in 56:14) and 27 youngsters in the 1K race (in 9:25).

There was a good crowd of supporters, too, including apparently a dinosaur (or did I have too much fizz to drink the night before?). Thankfully, there is video evidence of a T-Rex and a unicorn showing their support at the start of the 10K in this clip from Nice Work's Facebook page.

With a mighty roar from the Cretaceous period ringing in their ears, assorted Homo sapiens set off for an out-and-back course beside Bewl Water Reservoir – the new venue for this event as Scotney Castle was unable to accommodate the growing numbers of runners this year.

The new course proved popular and quick as the top 10 beat 40 minutes. Jason Baker (34:54) cooked up a hot pace at the front to win from Esmond Brown (36:06) and first M40 Stephen Walker (Beverley AC, 36:54).

Among the sub-40 elite was women's race winner, Annaka Charters (Victoria Park, 39:48) who was followed by Tina Oldershaw (W50 Tonbridge, 41:38) and Lorna Watts (Hastings, 42:39).

The supporting 5K was comfortably won by Nathan Chapman (Tonbridge, 16:52) from his team-mate and the first junior, Huxley Crush (18:19) and Oliver Carey (Hastings, 18:23). Just three men stayed clear of women's winner Becky Morrish (Tonbridge, 19:48) with Katy Lavender (20:22) and Nina Ridge (W45 Tonbridge, 20:47) not far behind.

The 1K dash for the stars of a little later in this new decade was won by Ollie Hughes (3:59) and Mary Barlow (4:26).

Results are available via runABC South race listing here

Image and video clip courtesy Nice Work