The Mount Ephraim 10K is one of the nicest races in the entire Nice Work Race Management portfolio. Hosted and organised by Nice Work for many years, this is an absolute gem in the South East road race calendar, held in the stunning setting of Mount Ephraim Gardens in the heart of the Garden of England countryside in Kent.

This year's race on Sunday 11 August attracted 280 runners to the single-lap course that starts and finishes within the Edwardian visitor attraction between Canterbury and Faversham.

The course, featuring climbs over 500 feet, runs in a clockwise loop towards Hernehill, turning left to Kelmsdale Wood, right to Fostall, and up Butlers Hill to Dargate. Runners then turn right around Blean Wood to Clay Pits Wood via Courtenay Road, before heading back towards Mount Ephraim Gardens along Dawes Road and Staplestreet Road.

The hills and hot weather put a damper on finishing times and 38:02 sufficed for victory by Jared Dobson (South Kent Harriers) from M40 James Pottle (unattached, 38:18) and Elliott King (Maidstone Harriers, 38:20). Just the top eight broke 40 minutes.

W40 Liz Weeks (Ashford AC, 42:52) took the first female award in 13th overall, followed by W45 Emily Gamble (unattached, 46:32) and W45 Clare Ellis-Smith (Petts Wood Runners, 47:07) in an all-masters podium. Five ladies beat the 50-minute threshold.

The hot and humid conditions – plus those testing hills – were referenced by regular competitor Shaun Washington (M50, Lonely Goat RC – 58:04) in this Facebook comment: "This was my 5th time running this course and it doesn’t get any easier, I’m convinced those hills are getting steeper."

Mel Fergusson (W45, 1:09:50) added: "Was so hot and so hilly! But a very well organised event, well done, and thanks to all of the volunteers, will be back next year!"

The group from Whitstable Road Runners (pictured above) looked pretty pleased with their results on a day when sun cream, hats, and sunglasses were de rigueur!

All the results are available at runABC South's comprehensive race listing here.

Photo courtesy Nice Work on Facebook