Hardy dogs and their owners took part in a chilly Boxing Day fun run around Bungay Common yesterday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ellayne Hilton with dog Herbie, Mark Elflett and Ian Chilley with dog Bailey. Picture: GEORGE RYANEllayne Hilton with dog Herbie, Mark Elflett and Ian Chilley with dog Bailey. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

Nearly 60 runners and their pets took part in the annual Boxing Day Groggy Doggy cross country run at Bungay Common, near Old Railway Road.

East Anglian Daily Times: Kathryn Moore from Morningthorpe with Labrador cross Amy and Kevin Keeler from Hempnall with 'sprollie' Dillon. Picture: GEORGE RYANKathryn Moore from Morningthorpe with Labrador cross Amy and Kevin Keeler from Hempnall with 'sprollie' Dillon. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

Across the other races, including the junior section, nearly 300 people competed.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stephanie Hoyle, 52, from Diss, with her 12-year-old spaniel Minstrel. Picture: GEORGE RYANStephanie Hoyle, 52, from Diss, with her 12-year-old spaniel Minstrel. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

The races were started by the town reeve Stephen Went and those in the main race were soon making a colourful ribbon around the banks of the River Waveney in bright sunshine, in muddy conditions.

East Anglian Daily Times: Helen Reglen, 50, with her 10-year-old wirehaired vizsla called George. Picture: GEORGE RYANHelen Reglen, 50, with her 10-year-old wirehaired vizsla called George. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

They completed two laps of the picturesque course, about five miles in all, while those with dogs completed one lap.

East Anglian Daily Times: A group with their dogs for the Bungay Groggy Doggy Race 2017. Picture: GEORGE RYANA group with their dogs for the Bungay Groggy Doggy Race 2017. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

Many took part in fancy dress with a fair few Father Christmases about and there were prizes for the best dressed and the muddiest.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ian Gardner, 60, with his four-year-old English setter Blue. Picture: GEORGE RYANIan Gardner, 60, with his four-year-old English setter Blue. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

The race has been organised by the Bungay Black Dog Running Club for nearly 30 years.

East Anglian Daily Times: Beccles residents Donna Mills, 53, with collie Alf and Joe Bean, 25, with 'sprocker' Bob. Picture: GEORGE RYANBeccles residents Donna Mills, 53, with collie Alf and Joe Bean, 25, with 'sprocker' Bob. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

Town mayor Mary Matthews presented the prizes at the end.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dan and Alfie Chapman, 30 and 25 respectively, with Bernie and Noodle. Picture: GEORGE RYANDan and Alfie Chapman, 30 and 25 respectively, with Bernie and Noodle. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Groggy Doggy Race 2017 in Bungay. Picture: GEORGE RYANThe Groggy Doggy Race 2017 in Bungay. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: James Kershaw, 20, with cocker spaniel Alan. Picture: GEORGE RYANJames Kershaw, 20, with cocker spaniel Alan. Picture: GEORGE RYAN (Image: Archant)