The best thing about The Bewl 15 is the end. Crowds gather along the edge of the final climb until you reach the finish line; a small banner at the top of a country track. In the adjacent field, tables groan under the weight of homemade cake and the local brass band plays while runners get their hands on much-needed beer and a massage.
It is this joyous, close-knit atmosphere that really makes the 15-mile race. As runners take on the trails around the picturesque Bewl Water (a large reservoir nestled on the border of East Sussex and Kent), families and community groups are out in full force handing out everything from oranges to sweets, sponges dunked in cool water to sports drinks. Friendly marshals are dotted throughout, warning you of particularly tricky gateways, and there’s also a surprise visit from a bagpiper.