COMMUNITY SPIRIT
with specialists Run Through to organise the 2025 race, aiming to raise £50,000 for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. The race follows in the heroic footsteps of the famous film Chariots of Fire , which tells the story of Cambridge runner Harold Abrahams and his bid to win a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics. It includes the iconic scene of the race around Trinity College Great Court. Music from the film will be played on the day. The annual Town and Gown race (5 October), sponsored by Bidwells, raises money for muscular dystrophy. Beginning at the Event Village found on Midsummer Common, the 10k route winds along the Backs and over the Cam into Silver Street, via King’s Parade, then along the Cam to Stourbridge Common and back. It attracts around 3,000 runners, including university students, corporate teams and club runners looking to acquire a personal best. There’s even a Junior 3k race for nine- to 15-year- olds, just ahead of the 10k. Village races include the Cambourne 10k (13 April), Bourn to Run 10k (15 September) and Grantchester Charity 10k (28 September). These events raise funds for local charities such as Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Maggie’s; in some cases, there’s a family 3k option too. If all this athleticism is making you feel a bit weary, the Bridge the Gap charity walk (14 September) is a family-friendly annual event at a slower pace. Since 2001, it has raised more than £630,000 for local charities such as Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill. This year brings a new route, starting from Parker’s Piece and weaving through the college gardens of Christ’s, St John’s, Lucy Cavendish, Westminster, Jesus and Emmanuel. Psyched for cycling? Held the same weekend as the TTP Half Marathon, the Cambridgeshire Classic (8 March) is a sportive-style cycling race in support of Alzheimer’s Research. The race features three routes of varying lengths (127k, 94k and 66k), but all of them start at Huntingdon Racecourse and pass through Brampton Wood, travelling on quiet country lanes through farmland and forestry. Participants enjoy scenic rides through Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and, on the longer race, into parts of Northamptonshire. There’s free entry when you pledge £100 to Alzheimer’s Research. Village races include the Cambourne 10k, Bourn to Run 10k and more
RAISING THE BAR ACT (above) raises funds for medical care, while The Cambridge Cancer Help Cycle (right) invites cyclists to pedal for a cause New for this year, the Cambridge Cancer Help Cycle (27 April) starts at the centre next to Scotsdales in Great Shelford. It offers a choice of 20- and 60-mile scenic routes through local countryside and villages. The event includes fully signposted routes, refreshment stops and support services. There are two coffee stops on the long route, plus refreshments at the start and finish for both distances. You will also receive a finisher’s bag of goodies on completion. Organised by this small local charity, all funds raised will go towards the centre, supporting those affected by a cancer diagnosis. …and dragon boats Water-based fundraising in Cambridge includes the city’s Dragon Boat Festival (13 September) held on the Cam at Fen Ditton, in aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. Teams paddle 30ft dragon boats over a 200m course, with food stalls, bankside entertainment and other festival fun. This year marks the 19th festival, and more than 40 teams are expected to compete. Up to ten people paddle each boat, with a drummer at the front beating time. No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit.
46 MARCH 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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