About 800 brave runners refused to be beaten by high winds as they turned out for the Tarpley 10/20 mile road races.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

The popular annual races, organised by Saint Edmund Pacers, set out from Thurston Community College's campus in Beyton on Sunday, with a choice of 10 and 20-mile distances.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

The event is named after Bert Tarpley, one of the earliest Pacer members and former club president. Members of his family were there for the occasion and opened the race.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

The course took some beautiful countryside, with competitors running through villages including Hessett, Gedding, Thorpe Morieux, Brettenham and Drinkstone.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

However, runners faced a real battle against the weather, especially when they had to run into a head wind during the last three miles.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

Despite the testing conditions, some runners posted on social media after the event that they were looking forward to next year already.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

READ MORE - Rock crowned Suffolk champion in Tarpley 20

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Some of the big contingent of Felixstowe Road Runners who took part in Sunday's Tarpley 10 and 20 mile road races. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSASome of the big contingent of Felixstowe Road Runners who took part in Sunday's Tarpley 10 and 20 mile road races. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: A trio of Hadleigh Hares at the Tarpley 20, held from Beyton, from left: Kevin Scutcher, Dean Wright and Karl Feagan. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSAA trio of Hadleigh Hares at the Tarpley 20, held from Beyton, from left: Kevin Scutcher, Dean Wright and Karl Feagan. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Tarpley family. Picture: Victoria PertusaThe Tarpley family. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: All smiles before the start of the Tarpley 20, from left, Heather Bush, Caroline Green, Jennifer Wright and Hannah Thompson. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSAAll smiles before the start of the Tarpley 20, from left, Heather Bush, Caroline Green, Jennifer Wright and Hannah Thompson. Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Alfie and Sophie Tarpley started the race. Picture: Victoria PertusaAlfie and Sophie Tarpley started the race. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria PertusaHundreds of people braced the cold weather and took part on the Tarpley race in Beyton. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)