A good number of Godric Cycling Club members donned their running shoes to take part in Bungay Black Dog Running Club’s annual invitation duathlon.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Members of Godric CC taking part in the Black Dog Invitation Duathlon face the camera. Picture: ClubMembers of Godric CC taking part in the Black Dog Invitation Duathlon face the camera. Picture: Club (Image: Archant)

The event saw Godric duo, Simon Asher and Phil Marler, retain the title they won by a narrow margin last year.

They were again in a tightly fought race where the outcome wasn’t decided until the very last leg. The format sees each member of a two-man team cycling a six mile loop and then running a one mile out and back course as a relay. This leads to fast and furious spectator friendly racing over the two and half hour race time period, with riders and runners coming in and exiting the BARC training ground where Bungay Black Dog Running Club has its headquarters.

In another nail biting race, which was also decided on the last cycle leg, Godric CC’s Josh Wing and Laura Gilbert put on brilliant performances to win the mixed two-man team event. Sarah Maidment and Bridget Law won the all women’s race, beating club team members Jackie Bell and Gemma Bacon into second place.

Godric CC secretary Allan Bell and his duathlon partner Scott Marshall finished the two-man event in third place and afterwards Allan said: “It’s been a great morning’s racing and fantastic to have our cycling club members winning three out of the four categories!”

Other club members took part in the three-man event which involved two runners each completing a mile and then handing over to a cyclist to complete the six mile loop. Godric’s Nikki and Julian Holland-Gladwish each performed personal best mile efforts and their cyclist, Glen Cone rode the fastest bike loop of the day but they were narrowly beaten by a three man team that had Godric associate member Shaun Aldous cycling for two Black Dog runners, David Sparshott and Justine Fawcett.

In the junior duathlon, the under 11 winner was William Deal (unattached) in nine minutes and 30seconds. The over 11 winner was Harry Smith (BBDRC) in 10:23, with Tess Andrews (BBDRC) in second place in 11:05. In joint third place were Keeley Clark and Emma Deal (both BBDRC) 15:50.

Elsewhere, Black Dog runner Jody Donaldson took up a last minute place in the Nelson Knee Knobbler 10k through Winterton dunes, the Norfolk Coastal Path and beach.