THE annual Bungay Black Dog Marathon is just over a week away - and it looks set to have another large field of runners.The 26th marathon is on April 6 with the start and finish at the Maltings Meadow at Ditchingham.

THE annual Bungay Black Dog Marathon is just over a week away - and it looks set to have another large field of runners.

The 26th marathon is on April 6 with the start and finish at the Maltings Meadow at Ditchingham.

After a slow start entries are pouring in for both the full and half-marathon distances. Runners who have not pre-entered will be able to do so on the day.

The marathon is one of the few left in East Anglia, and runners are coming from all over Britain.

The official charity this year is RadioBroadlandKids, and Radio Broadland will be there in force to help raise as much money as possible. The Thunder vehicle will lead the marathon around the Waveney Valley course and the mobile unit will be at Maltings Meadow covering the race.

The Town Reeve, Martin Evans, will start the full marathon at 10.30am and the half at 12.30pm, with the runners completing one or two laps of the Waveney Valley loop course through Bungay, Mettingham, and Shipmeadow to Beccles and back via Gillingham, Geldeston, and Ellingham before finishing next to the grandstand on Maltings Meadow.

The local running club will be well represented by Black Dogs' Colin Whale and Bob Jack, who have completed many long-distance races as well as Bobbie Sauerzapf, Craig Anderson, and first-timers John White and Carol Maycock.

But they will have to be fast to keep up with Kenyan Victor Kosgei from the famous North Rift Runners.

As well as many local athletes, runners are coming from all parts of the UK, in particular the 100 Marathon Club will be well represented by members who have had to complete 100 marathons to join.

This year a “black dog” will run. Norfolk runner Graham Allchurch will run the marathon in fancy dress.

He has only been running for four years and has run in the London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin marathons, all in fancy dress for charity.

This time he has decided to run for RadioBroadlandKids and thought it would be a unique idea to run as a black dog. Check out his website: www.justgiving.com/grahamallchurch

The half marathon also has a strong entry, including several Black Dogs.

Many of the entrants will be running as a final warm-up for the London Marathon which is on the following Sunday.

All the proceeds of the events go to charity, and as well as the official charity, many runners collect sponsorship for their own causes.

During the day refreshments will be available on the field and in the licensed clubhouse, and there will be changing, showers, and massage facilities for the runners.

At 10.40am Splat the Cat will start the fun run, which is entry on the day, comprising two laps of the Maltings Meadow perimeter - after which spectators can sit in the grandstand and await the return of the runners.

The deputy mayor, Arthur Fisher, will present the first batch of prizes at 2.30pm.

As last year, there will be a collection of old running shoes and T-shirts for CART who send them to Africa. Runners are reminded to bring these with laces tied together and place them in the boxes provided.

Visit www.cartyorkshire.co.uk to learn more about their work.

The organisers are again very pleased with support from local firms and organisations and, in particular, M & H Plastics who are again the main sponsors.

All visitors to the marathon site should note that the entrance to Pirnhow Street at Ditchingham Dam will be closed for traffic as it forms part of the course, so it will not be possible to drive via Bridge Street or Chicken Roundabout.

The site and marathon car park can only be accessed from the entrance next to Pirnhow Church via Watch House corner and Wainford Road, so access is from the B1062 Beccles road.

Visit www.bungay-marathon. co.uk/directions.htm for details.

And for full details visit www.bungay-marathon.co.uk