Our annual event attracts runners of all levels and abilities, as they make their way round the flat route which passes some of Cambridge’s most iconic landmarks, historic sights and natural beauty spots on 16 October.
So, whether you’re wanting to tackle your first 10k or hoping to beat your personal best, the event offers something for everyone looking to raise money for MDUK.
Register for the Cambridge Town and Gown 2022
This year, a 30-strong women’s group from Bishop’s Stortford, Chelmsford and Saffron Walden will be taking on their first MDUK 10k race as the largest team signed up for the event. This will be the first fundraising event for the charity the team have completed together, and for some of the women, it will be their first ever 10k race.
It will be our first group outing to the Cambridge Town and Gown event and we are very excited about it! We are looking forward to the buzz of the event and a lovely run around the streets of Cambridge. For some of our runners it will be their first 10k event which is very exciting.
said Kate Macfarlane, 51-years-old, who coaches the group.
Kate, who runs a successful running business called Coach Kate Running, believes running is for everyone, no matter where they are in their fitness journey. Kate began running herself as a beginner and trained to complete races of all distances from 10k fun runs to ultra-distance events.
Now she helps others to realise their running potential. She has been a UK Athletics Run Group Leader since 2016 and went on to become a UK Athletics Coach in Running Fitness in 2018. She has now qualified as an Endurance Event Group Level Coach, allowing her to lead her team to victory.
Kate and the runners after the Cancer Research UK Summer Run
She is particularly passionate about inspiring women to take up running and provide a safe space for them to run together.
“I believe entering as a large group of female runners highlights to people how women of all abilities can successively take part in any running event, empowering and lifting each other up to new and big achievements,” said Kate.
“Running is a fantastic way to improve your fitness and wellbeing,” Kate continued. “Many female runners can lack confidence in their abilities and working together as a group is a great way to overcome this and provide support and motivation. We are an inclusive, all ability group who support and encourage each other, as well as providing an environment where women can feel safe out running.”
Group outing to the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run in February 2022
Jessie Keighley, MDUK’s Town and Gown Series Event Manager, said: “At every Cambridge Town and Gown race, we welcome people of all abilities from those completing their first 10k to our seasoned runners aiming for a new personal best.
“It’s so special to see people from all backgrounds and abilities coming together to enjoy the beautiful city of Cambridge and raise vital funds for the 110,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK.
“Last year, our runners raised an amazing £43,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK which will have made such a huge impact through funding medical research and providing essential support to those in the muscle-wasting community. We’re hoping to smash this total this year and make an even bigger difference for the people we support.”
No matter whether you’re a seasoned runner, or you’re yet to regularly lace up your running shoes, the Cambridge Town and Gown event is the perfect motivation to take up a new hobby for your mental and physical health.
Registration is now open to everyone over the age of 16. The Junior 3k will also be open to 9-15-year-olds who want to take part. We also welcome wheelchair users, and can make the necessary arrangements if you contact townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org.