Runners under starter's orders for Cambridge Cambourne 10K

Athletes set to descend in numbers for popular annual event

Runners will be converging en masse for the Cambridge Cambourne 10K this Sunday (April 2).

And there is guaranteed to be a bumper field for the ninth running of the popular event, which is supported by the Cambridge Independent.

The 10K starts at 11am, while there are also two other events – a one-mile fun run and, for the first time, a 2-leg relay, which sees two people each run a 5k leg.

Beth Jones, from the organising committee of the 10K, said: “We’ve still got a few last-minute entries to come but we’ve done very well this year. There will be about 1,000 in the 10K, about 150 in the fun run and about 10 teams in the relay.

“It’s getting harder and harder year on year as it’s a competitive market. There is a race nearly every weekend.

“It’s good this year and I think it’s better than last year so we’ve done well. I really shouldn’t say this yet, but every year we’ve been lucky with the weather.”

She added: “It’s last-minute preparations now as we’re bag packing and getting numbers and chips together and then we’re ready to go.”

The event starts at the Cambourne Business Park, and is organised by a partnership of Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club, Cambourne, Business Park and Cambourne Parish Council.

The race is non profit and run entirely by volunteers Run, under UK Athletics rules, and features an undulating course on footpaths and traffic-free areas, apart from 200m of residential road.

Runners also use the race as a good taper down on soft ground for those doing the London Marathon, while with many first-time runners and a high percentage of women, it is good for the This Girl Can campaign.

The main charity for this year is Maggie’s Wallace.

The Cambridge & Coleridge Athletics Trust also benefits, and contributions are made to local schools and other bodies which help with the race.

More than £65,000 has been raised for charity since 2009.

Look out for special coverage in the Cambridge Independent on Wednesday, April 5. More information can be found online.