CULTURE EDITION
GIGS NOT TO MISS
RACE THE UK’S FASTEST HALF? It’s the Cambridge Half Marathon this month! Last year’s winner has some tips T he TTP Cambridge Half Marathon on 9 March is one of Britain’s most eagerly awaited annual running stamina in the wet, dark and cold. Freddie’s tip is to maximise your lunch hour and save the longer sessions for the weekend. “On race day, it’s important to pace
Blazin’ Fiddles
2 March, Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden
Regular winners of Scotland’s Folk Band of the Year, Blazin’ Fiddles blend a wealth of talent and fiddle tradition into a potent brew.
events. Both elite and aspiring runners are drawn to the event for its ‘fast and flat’ reputation, friendly crowds and historic scenery. Even the cobbled streets don’t put people off; there are set to be around 14,000 entrants taking part this year. “I entered the Cambridge Half to try and match the course record,” says last year’s winner, Freddie Hessian, 31. “I ran the Bath Half in 65 minutes 40 seconds a couple of years before, so I knew that if I got myself into good shape I’d be able to approach the Cambridge record at around 65 minutes. In the event I ran 64 minutes 48 seconds, shaving about 30 seconds off and almost a minute faster than I’ve ever run before. That was the biggest shock to be honest. I was pushing the pace all the way.” Freddie has been an elite runner for the last 16 years. “The Cambridge Half was my second half marathon, and certainly the fastest I’ve run,” he says. “It’s a really good course in that there aren’t that many corners and it’s all super flat. The only tricky bit is through the first college (St John’s) where you have to do a U-turn and you’re on gravel for quite a way.” Training for any spring running event involves hours of building up distance and
yourself,” he says. “Don’t get too hyped up in that first four to five miles of the race. We definitely all started off running a little bit too hard in 2024.” Spectator support helps a lot too. “The Cambridge crowd was insane – it’s unbelievable,” says Freddie. “There’s this bit where you’re coming back into the city, passing runners on one side and the crowd on the other. It was just this amazing barrage of noise – really brilliant. Probably the best day of running I’ve ever had.”
Snapped Ankles
6 March, Cambridge Junction A truly unique, shamanistic live experience. Ancient forest rhythms combined with a live, multimedia high-wire act. Visit the Junction website for a taster. 16 March, Black Fen Folk Club, NCI Centre, Holland Street Award-winning songwriter and guitarist Sam will hold the audience spellbound with his unique songwriting prowess. Sam Carter
Mike and the Mechanics
17 March, Cambridge Corn Exchange
This tour will include hits Over My Shoulder, The Living Years and All I Need Is a Miracle , plus some much- loved classics by Genesis. 18 March, Cambridge Junction Energetic folk band embracing heavier rock influences and Celtic elements. Songs reflect themes of resistance and rebellion, struggle and resilience. Ferocious Dog
Kim Wilde
18 March, Cambridge Corn Exchange
Playing songs from her legendary Close album, the upcoming Closer and, of course, a selection of her earlier hits.
Cambridge-based Chandrika (Chandy) Nath of folk-fusion band Sunday Driver will be performing songs from her new album, Silk and Filth , on 7 March at The Portland Arms in Cambridge, with support act Neev, a Glaswegian singer-songwriter. Chandy, a former glaciologist, composed some of the songs while monitoring ice floes near the South Pole during a field trip collecting data for the British Antarctic Survey. “I totally fell in love with Antarctica,” she says. “It hooked me and never let go. The endless silence and emptiness made me want to surround myself with music when I got home.” Scientist songwriter inspired by ice floes MUSIC
18 MARCH 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook