From triathlons to 10Ks and from Stowmarket to Bath, Bungay Black Dog Running Club athletes have been taking on a variety of events in locations across the region and the country.

Seven Black Dogs travelled to Stowmarket on Sunday to take part in one of the last triathlons of the season and cheered club member Marcus Sladden home to a stunning victory in the 20-25 year-old age category and fifth place overall.

In unseasonably hot September weather, the West Suffolk sprint distance triathlon comprised a 300 metre pool swim, a 19km cycle and finished with a gruelling 5km off-road run. Marcus, who has been improving markedly throughout this season said he was “absolutely chuffed to bits” with his performance.

Jo Walker, who admitted she couldn’t even swim front crawl this time last year, was delighted with her performance, finishing second in her age category (female 35-39) and leading the Black Dog ladies home. Other newcomers, Lucy Johnston and Larissa Smith thoroughly enjoyed the event and their first year of competing.

Full results: 5 Marcus Sladden 00:57:41, 37 Chris Hall 01:06:04, 110 Jo Walker 01:15:27, 148 Jackie Bell 01:20:51, 149 Larissa Smith 01:20:59, 177 Lucy Johnston 01:24:29, 213 Frances Hall 01:38:31.

Club captain Tom Pullinger was first in age group and fifth overall in 4:53 at the Eton Dorney Half Iron Man triathlon, declaring himself to be “knocked out, thrilled to bits and can’t quite believe it”.

Sticking to running, five Black Dogs turned out on a warm sunny Sunday morning for the Jolly Jaguars 10k race at Frettenham.

Alice Kirk was the first Black Dog home in 49.30, followed by Graham Sampson 50.49, Don Tiffin 55.00, Faye Ellis 56.18 and Philip Neave 61.10.

In Nottingham, Neil Thomas and Doug Gladwin tackled a half marathon finishing in 1:53:06 and 2:13:23 respectively.

The club’s multi marathon exponent Ian Taylor was cramming in successive races. His 170th over the distance was in Hereford, where he finished in 4:10:51 to take 38th place out of 80.

He followed that with a sterling performance at the inaugural ‘two tunnels’ marathon in Somerset. He clocked a very creditable 4:39:02 for the over-long 27.2 mile marathon-plus distance.