At the annual Suffolk Sports Awards on Sunday, October 17, Bungay Black Dog Running Club were finalists in the Touchline Sports Club of the Year Award.

The nomination for Club of the Year marks the culmination of a year of hard work at the club.

Black Dogs attained Clubmark accreditation at the beginning of 2010, recognition that the club operates at the highest standards. The year has also seen membership increase by over 50 per cent, with the newly-formed junior section blossoming under coach John White’s guidance.

The club has also hosted very successful come-and-try running sessions for the more mature, proving that age is no bar to participation in the sport.

Committee member Sue Potter has been successful in gaining the club nearly �10,000 in grants to purchase kit, fund training courses for club coaches and to fund running courses for adults and children in the local community.

Black Dogs have also raised over �10,000 for the NSPCC following the very successful Bungay Marathon in April and �3,000 for Cancer Research UK from their Roger Wing Memorial 10km road race.

Other nominees in the Club of the Year section were West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club and Hollesley Judo Club. In a very close contest the Runners were narrowly pipped by the Triathletes.

Accepting the runner-up certificate and cheque for �50, former chairman Margaret Burton said: “This is a fitting tribute to the very many individuals who make the running club the success that it is.

“Black Dog Running Club is very much a team effort — from the officials, race marshals and coaches to the parents who convey their kids to training and events, to the runners and their families, everyone does their bit.

“We promote running as an activity for everyone and welcome runners of all ages and abilities.

“This award is just recognition and something I am very proud of,” she added.

Meanwhile, last Sunday a new event took place near Lenham at an equestrian centre with over 160 acres of beautiful, undulating countryside.

The “Muddy Races” 10km Steeplechase was a grassland course with dozens of different obstacles and horse jumps, some tough hills, a section wading up a freezing river and plenty of mud.

Amongst the 155 entrants, two Bungay Black Dog Runners completed the course. David Waterman was 91st (1-1) and Bob Jack 153rd (1-23).

The day before, Black Dog Colin Whale completed his eighth Snowdonia Marathon in Wales in 5-8.