Report by Sarah Lathbury
The Tarrant Valley 10 celebrated its 40th anniversary in style on Sunday, 1st June 2025, in the idyllic village of Tarrant Monkton, nestled within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This year’s milestone event sold out ahead of race day and drew 328 runners from across the region.
The Course & Conditions
The challenging 10km multi-terrain course started at 10:30am outside The Langton Arms pub and featured a mix of tarmac roads, bridleways, and farm tracks. Runners faced an early climb into Hogstock Coppice, before moving through scenic stretches including Sing Close, Long Row, Calcott’s Coppices, and Strawberry Coppice. The halfway point came at Six Cross Ways in Chetterwood, followed by a gentle ascent to Launceston Wood. A final 800m downhill on Common Drove and a 600m road sprint brought runners back to the village.
The race took place in warm and sunny weather, but runners were grateful for a fresh breeze, which provided some much-needed relief. Around half of the route was shaded by woodland, adding further comfort in the heat. Water stations were positioned approximately every 3km, and were well-used throughout the race. The Jelly Babies were a welcome treat too!
Children’s 1-Mile Race
Shortly after the 10k began, 41 young runners took part in the children’s 1-mile race.
Top 3 Finishers (Ages 9–14):
🥇 William Tory – 5:39
🥈 Kit Collins – 6:07
🥉 Dam Skoydros – 6:08
Race Results – 10K
It was a fast and competitive field this year, with some standout performances at the front of the pack.
Top 3 Men Overall:
🥇 Mark Savage (Wimborne AC) – 35:42
Mark delivered an impressive and commanding performance, taking first place with a strong time over a challenging course.
🥈 Louis Verdi (Wimborne AC) – 36:25
Louis followed closely behind with another superb run, securing second place and helping to cement Wimborne AC’s dominance at the front of the race.
🥉 Daryl Smith (unaffiliated) – 36:45
Daryl also had an excellent race, rounding out the top three with a sub-37-minute finish.
Top 3 Women Overall:
🥇 Rachael Haddow (Poole AC) – 41:46
Rachael ran a strong and steady race to take first place in the women’s category.
🥈 Gemma Russhard (unaffiliated) – 43:52
🥉 Teresa Green (Egdon Heath Harriers) – 44:33
Wimborne AC had a particularly successful day, with 19 members completing the course. In addition to Mark and Louis’ top-two finishes, Richard Cook also secured a top-10 place, finishing 9th overall.
Top Wimborne AC Women:
- Helen Edbrooke – 15th female
- Susie Palmer – 19th female
- Sarah Lathbury – 24th female
The club results reflected real depth and strength in the Wimborne AC team, with runners supporting each other across all parts of the field.
This year also saw the introduction of new veteran categories: men over 70 and women over 65—a welcome addition that was appreciated by many participants.
Club & Team Highlights
- Wimborne AC took 1st and 2nd places in the men’s category.
- Poole AC claimed the overall women’s win and the overall club prize.
Prizes & Personal Touches
This year’s prizes were especially memorable – winners received a homemade salmon and mackerel mousse, along with a 40th-anniversary commemorative medal mounted on a wooden plaque.
All finishers were awarded a beautiful anniversary medal. A special thanks to Louis Verdi for his post-race treats – this time, rhubarb and ginger muffins, which were very well received!
Community & Atmosphere
The Tarrant community once again went above and beyond to make the event special.
- A fantastic BBQ was laid on at the finish, with homemade flapjacks, cakes, and sweet treats, all provided by local residents.
- A raffle was held after the water station area, featuring locally donated prizes and helping to raise additional funds for the event’s chosen charities.
- There were also teas, coffees, ice cream, and a produce stall, creating a warm, welcoming village atmosphere around the start/finish area.
The iconic Wimborne AC flag was proudly planted at the back of the main field, a welcome sight as runners approached the finish.
Special mention to Tony Payne, who wasn’t racing this year but came along with his wife and their beagles to cheer runners on and take photos along the route.
The event continues to be hosted on a non-profit basis, with all proceeds going to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Horatio’s Garden.
A Big Thank You
A huge thank you to the Tarrant community for their hard work, generosity, and brilliant organisation. Thanks also to the fantastic marshals and volunteers who kept everything running smoothly. The sunny weather, supportive crowds, and local touches made this a 40th anniversary to remember.
Here’s to many more years of the Tarrant Valley 10!
