THE Bungay Black Dog Running Club entered a team for the first time in the Round Norfolk Relay over the weekend. The course mirrors the county boundary over a distance of about 193 miles divided into 17 unequal stages of unequal length with runners covering distances of between five and 20 miles each.

THE Bungay Black Dog Running Club entered a team for the first time in the Round Norfolk Relay over the weekend.

The course mirrors the county boundary over a distance of about 193 miles divided into 17 unequal stages of unequal length with runners covering distances of between five and 20 miles each.

Run over 24 hours, without a break, the event is much more than just a normal relay running race for it requires special planning and support.

A staggered start, based on anticipated finishing times, ensures that teams of similar ability start together, with faster teams chasing.

The first teams started at 5.30am on the Saturday in King's Lynn and then from Hunstanton, follows the stunning coastline through five multi-terrain stages using the Norfolk coastal path as far as Cromer. The 35 miles (four stages) from Cromer to Great Yarmouth are on the road.

By the time the majority of teams reach Great Yarmouth it is dark. Night stages run to Gillingham then on to Scole and from there to Thetford and finally to King's Lynn for the finish.

A cyclist accompanied each runner along the way, (except the stages along the Norfolk coastal path where cyclists are not permitted) and a vehicle with a flashing beacon followed behind both runner and cyclist on the night stages to protect them from traffic in the dark.

Runners and supporters reported really enjoying taking part in the event, and the team completed the course in a time of 29 hours 25 minutes and 42 seconds and were placed 45th out of the 48 teams taking part.

Bungay runners' times and positions in the race stages were as follows: Stage Two: Ian Taylor 115:31 (11th). Stage Two: Chris Chorley 104:45mins (18th). Stage Three: Karen Waters 56:29 (43rd). Stage Five: Bobbie Sauerzapf 113:47 (37th). Stage Five: Andrew M Smith 79:19 (35th). Stage Six: Darryl Oldman 61:47 (23rd). Stage Seven: Bruce Rayner 72:34 (31st). Stage Eight: John White 52:32 (15th). Stage Nine: Tim Morton 97:24 (39th). Stage 10: Bob Paul 143:41 (46th). Stage 11: Colin Whale 190:49 (47th). Stage 12: Bob Jack 229:07 (48th). Stage 13: Robin Farrar 121:23 (47th). Stage 14: Robert James 59:40 (15th). Stage 15: David Cook 76:17 (47th). Stage 16: Doreen Whittington 60:49 (46th) with Sue Potter (Black Dog co-ordinator) running the last Stage 17 finishing in 129:48 in 47th place.

A good result after Sue had spent the last 24 hours ensuring that all the runners/helpers were in the right place at the right time, well done Sue!

Thanks also to all the support people who ensured the race ran smoothly.