Our guide to the 2023 Cambridge Town & Gown 10k and 3k
The annual Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k takes place around the streets of Cambridge this Sunday (October 15), in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Angela Gilmour and husband Brian, both 65, from Petersfield, Hampshire, will officially start the race – for which the Cambridge Independent is media partner – in memory of their beloved son, Jonathan, as it returns to the city for the 12th year.
Thousands will take to the streets of Cambridge to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which funds research into treatments for rare, life-limiting muscle wasting and weakening conditions and supports the 110,000 children and adults across the UK living with these conditions.
In 1993, aged seven, Jonathan Gilmour was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, at aged 13 he started to use a wheelchair and by aged 15 he had completely lost the ability to walk.
Despite this, he was a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, after achieving a first-class honours degree at St John’s College.
Jonathan, an avid supporter of the charity, featured in a BBC Lifeline appeal with Sue Baker in 2015, met His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who was the patron of the charity, and was passionate about raising awareness of his condition and Muscular Dystrophy UK.
In April 2022, aged 35, Jonathan died, and his final resting place is in the grounds of St John’s College.
Angela said: “To officially start Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown in Jonathan’s name is just perfect. It links his love for Cambridge, as he was a Gown through and through, along with highlighting a cause he lived with for so many years.
“We want to wish all the people giving up their Sunday to raise money for a condition that our son had the very best of luck and we are grateful for your support.”
The course
The closed-road city centre route takes in the sights of the city, passing many landmarks, historic university buildings and the River Cam, with thousands of runners expected to complete the 10k course – along with the junior 3k course for children aged between 9-15.
The Event Village
The Event Village, on Midsummer Common, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge, is where participants can have their registration queries answered, drop any bags off, use the toilets/changing facilities or buy food and drink. The start and finish lines are just a one-minute warm-up jog away.
Key timings
8am – Event Village opens
9am – The Junior 3k warm-up
9.15am – The Junior 3k starts
9.40am – 10k warm-up
10am – The 10k starts
11am – Trophy and prize presentation
13pm – Event Village closes
Road closures
Road closures will start to come into force from 8am and will remain in operation until 12 noon. Victoria Avenue will be an exception to this and will close at 5.30am.
Road closures will be managed by Chevron Traffic Management. Most roads will open as soon as the last runner finishes, again with the exception of Victoria Avenue, which will remain closed for the duration of the event.
The following roads will be closed:
Victoria Avenue (full road)
Chesterton Road (Victoria Avenue to Northampton Street – westbound)
Northampton Street (westbound to Queens’ Lane)
Queen’s Road (southbound to junction of Silver Street)
Silver Street (eastbound)
Trumpington Street (from Silver Street junction to King’s Parade)
King’s Parade (full road)
Senate House Hill (full road)
Trinity Street (full road)
St John’s Street (full road)
Bridge Street (St John’s Street to Jesus Lane)
Jesus Lane (eastbound from Bridge Street to roundabout at the bottom of Victoria Avenue)
Park Parade (full road)
Maids Causeway (eastbound – north side of road – from the roundabout at the bottom of Victoria Avenue to Newmarket Road)
Newmarket Road (eastbound – north side of road – from Maids Causeway to Elizabeth Way Roundabout)
Walnut Tree Avenue (full road)
Riverside (full road)
Footpaths 11 (full footpaths)
The charity
Muscular Dystrophy UK is the leading charity for more than 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
All the money raised will help fund groundbreaking research and life-changing support.
Event history
The Town and Gown series started in Oxford in 1982 inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy.
His father Mike and local runners set up the event, as a fun run to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
To this day all profits from the event go to the charity. Collectively, it’s raised more than £3million – every 10k makes a difference.
Taking part
Online entries are now closed. Limited entries are available on the day from 8am-9am at Midsummer Common. The price for the Adult 10k is £40, while the cost of tackling the Junior 3k is £20.
For more information on the Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k, visit townandgown10k.com/cambridge-4/. For more on Muscular Dystrophy UK, go to musculardystrophyuk.org/.
