The Tadworth 10 has been testing the extent of runners' festive indulgences for more than 40 years and the event still holds a place in the hearts of so many who return to the fabulous Epsom Downs year after year – another 687 entered the latest edition on Sunday 7 January 2024.

The course has evolved – it's now 50% trail and was sticky in places after heavy rain – and the programme has been extended to add a 10K option to the traditional 10-miler that used to tempt some of the finest exponents of endurance running to the original, fast road route.

The cheeky comment: "I give the marshalls a D...for delightful", was left on Facebook by Bryn Reynolds, who smashed the hour (59:29) in the longer distance – one of just six men to manage that mark of excellence on the hilly course, with its notoriously tough climb at Ebbisham Lane.

The five men ahead of Bryn were Ben Short (54:47), Daniel Cliffe (55:29), Ryan Keane (57:35), Danny Chalkley (M50, 59:01) and Ben Chown (59:14). Three women went under 70 minutes – Jessica Prior (1:07:33), Jo Vickers (W40, 1:08:51) and Lisa Rooney (W40, 1:09:52).

The two-lap course lends itself to a 10K alternative and that option was selected by just over 100 runners. The top three men were Duncan Mallison (M40, 43:03), Ewan Cox (M60, 44:25) and Mark Bowden (45:35). The leading ladies were Zareena Hussain (46:59), Emily Prior (49:54) and Caroline Whelan (W40, 50:27) – who all finished in the top ten overall.

W60 masters category winner Jo Quantrill (54:31) was the sixth female finisher and she added to the general praise for the marshalls on a very cold morning by posting this on Facebook: "Many thanks for putting on the 10K. Another perfect race. As usual, top-notch organisation and wonderful marshals."

The host club Tadworth AC provided a warm and welcoming Race HQ within the Duchess Stand at Epsom Racecourse; more than £1,200 in prizes; professional chip timing by Sports Systems; a sustainable wooden medal; post-race massage courtesy LA Sports Massage Therapy and donations to local charities including the Woodland Trust, The Sunnybank Trust and Re:Map.

Full results are available at the runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy Tadworth 10 on Facebook