THE popular and well-organised 25th Norwich half marathon was run on Sunday, with 17 Black Dog Runners among the 2,233 competitors.The pre-race downpours subsided just in time for the start and it made a pleasant change to run the event in sunshine.

THE popular and well-organised 25th Norwich half marathon was run on Sunday, with 17 Black Dog Runners among the 2,233 competitors.

The pre-race downpours subsided just in time for the start and it made a pleasant change to run the event in sunshine. The course had also been modified to remove the dreaded hill up to the Norfolk Showground, which helped runners improve their times.

Chris Chorley continued his excellent form coming 164th (1-31) followed by Mark Fawbert, 305th (1-36), Richard Dye, 451st (1-40), David Waterman, 606th (1-44) and Nigel Gilham, 694th (1-46).

Bobbie Sauerz was a few seconds behind, 700th, coming fifth in her age group. James Samkin was 1031th (1-53), Bob Paul, 1244th (1-57), Karen Gedge 1310th (1-58), and Hazel Garrity, 1501th (2-03) was ninth in her age group.

Philip Neave came 1657th (2-07) while Bruce Rayner and Karen Waters, 1685th finished together in 1685th, 40 seconds later. This was a personal best time for Karen.

Robin Farrar, recovering from injury, was 1731st (2-09) and 14th in his age group. Kate Grimble was 1942th (2-17) while Alison Rogers completed her first half marathon in 2173th (2-35). Bob Jack was 2184th (2-37).

In the team results the Black Dogs had two male teams. Chris Chorley, Mark Fawbert, Richard Dye and David Waterman were 26th. Nigel Gilham, James Samkin , Bob Paul and Philip Neave were 48th (of 54 teams). The women's team of Bobbie Sauerzapf, Karen Gedge and Hazel Garrity were 20th (of 25 teams).

The first Southwold 10km race, sponsored by Adnams took place on Sunday, November 22.

Various members of the Bungay Black Dog Runners Club helped out with the marshalling and organisation while eight club runners took advantage of the new local event.

The windy two lap circuit was based around the harbour and common. Of the 346 finishers, Nigel Gilham was the first Black Dog home in 73rd (47:08) closely followed by Bruce Rayner in 79th (47:17). James Samkin was 110th (50:02), Karen Gedge 188th (54:54), Karen Waters 217th (57:32), Rob Donovan 302th (65:56), Bob Jack 317th (67:42) and Alison Rogers, running her first 10km race was 321st (68:42).

Adnams have also just offered to sponsor the Great East Run, organised by the Black Dogs next February.

The inaugural Southwold 10km proved very popular and it is hoped that the event is repeated next year.