DESPITE the appalling weather, there was a good turnout for one of the year's first marathons, the Bungay Black Dog, run over two laps between the Suffolk towns of Bungay and Beccles.

DESPITE the appalling weather, there was a good turnout for one of the year's first marathons, the Bungay Black Dog, run over two laps between the Suffolk towns of Bungay and Beccles.

Just one North Norfolk Beach Runner ran the full marathon. Graham Allchurch, who raised tremendous sums for charity last year by running several marathons in fancy dress, appeared as a black dog in honour of the local legend that lends

its name to the Bungay Running Club.

Despite the cumbersome attire and suffering from a bad dose of flu, Graham bravely made the full distance, albeit in a time of 4hr 25min, which was far from his best.

In the half-marathon race Chris Parker did well on the exposed and undulating course to finish in a highly creditable 1-37:31 for 77th place while Andrea Osborne, fresh from her re-election as club chairperson got round in

2-12:38 for 373rd place.

The previous weekend, in much more clement conditions, one of the Beach Runners' quickest runners, Andy Kett, travelled to Lincoln in search of a fast 10k time. He was rewarded with a brilliant 35:31 for 31st place in the huge field of 3,000 athletes.

On Sunday the club will be sending a strong contingent to the Flora London Marathon.