An utterly amazing turn out at this event. The genuine generosity of runners and sponsors was really heart warming. When the news is so full of doom and gloom it is so good to see the true concern and kindness of those that are able to do something to help those that need help. The chosen charity for this event was the James Paget Hospital Palliative Care Unit Appeal. The appeal is half way to raising £1.5 ml for a new dedicated unit.

With the entry fee set at £6 and all of this to go to the charity because Bungay Black Dog Running Club had undertaken to cover all costs involved. Runners were asked to consider either paying an entry fee of £10 or an extra £10 on top of the £6 entry fee, therefore giving further donation to the charity. The generosity of runners was such that virtually all those that entered chose to donate further cash or raised sponsorship via friends and family. There was also a similar act of kindness in the Fun Run, which featured runners aged from 2yrs 6 months to 42 years old.

The refreshment stall also raised a substantial sum for the charity with the two ladies Janice Wharton & Grace Cook running about more trying to keep up with the demand, than what the runners on the 10Km race did.

With a small amount of sponsorship still out standing it is not yet possible to give a final amount raised, but the total is at the moment heading towards £2,700.

Being blessed with the first real warm day of the year race director John Wharton was caught out. With the weather forecast 48hrs earlier predicting rain, all the race director was doing was praying there would only be showers and these would not deter entrants.

So the warm sun that arrived was a surprise to him. This coupled with the highest entry at this event ever, did cause some difficulties. There was not enough water provided for the runners either on the course or the finish. For this the club can only apologies, and give the under taking that in future years this will not happen again. The running club hopes that this did not spoil the event for the competitors to much.

There were some very fast times run on this still warm day on a course that is conducive to fast times. All the age category winners must have been near to or better than any times previously set. With the record entry there were runners from many of the surrounding counties and London.

It was really pleasing to see such a good entry in the Fun Run. This event was run before the main 10Km so that runners who were running the main event could watch the Fun Run before they went out on the course. Last year was the first Fun Run at this event, this attracted just under 30 entrants, this year there was 58. It was so rewarding to see these mainly youngsters enjoy this one mile run. All received a Cream Egg from the Palliative Care team as the crossed the finish line. The boys and girls that won their age groups were awarded a larger egg at the presentations hosted by Marlene Jervis results co-ordinator.

At the presentations for the 10Km category winners, Palliative Care team leader, Jenny Westgate thanked the runners for their efforts in raising this much need support. She also went on to explain what it was the unit was setting out to do. She also said events such as this helped to educate the public as to what Palliative care is.