Thousands of runners complete Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown

YESTERDAY thousands of runners, from Cambridge and surrounding areas, completed the historic Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown.

The event raised £100k for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for over 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.

The annual event now in its twelfth year saw 75 children, aged between nine and 15 years old complete the junior 3k course (which started at 09.15). With Silas Wright winning fastest boy at 10 mins, 32 seconds and Esme Lydon winning fastest girl at 11 mins 39 seconds.

For the adult 10k, 2206 runners took to the streets of Cambridge to complete the adult 10k course (which started at 10.00).

The event also hosted the Eastern Athletics Association Inter-County 10K Championships and saw elite runners from other counties; Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincs, Norfolk and Suffolk compete. Full result here.

Martin Stockley, 47, ran his first event in 48 minutes and 30 seconds. In 2007 Martin was diagnosed withFacioscapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy (FSHD), aged 30. The condition affects his younger siblings Amanda, 40 and David, 37, and their mother, Christine, 76, who was diagnosed in her mid-fifties and has had a gradual decline in her stability ever since.

Martin said:

“An organised 10k event on my doorstep was hard to resist. It’s a unique opportunity to complete Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown and to support Muscular Dystrophy UK, which is of great personal interest. It was such an enjoyable day. I would recommend people to sign up for the 2024 event.”

This year’s official race starters, Angela Gilmour and her husband Brian, both 65, opened the race in memory of their inspirational son, Jonathan.

In 1993 Jonathan was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged seven. He went on to incredible academic achievements, he was a PhD student, at the University of Cambridge, after achieving a first-class honours degree at St John’s College. In April 2022, aged 35, Jonathan died.

Angela said:

“To officially start Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown in Jonathan’s name, was such an honour. Jonathan was a Gown through and through and adored the city. Jonathan always wanted people to see his ability and not his disability. He was passionate about raising awareness of his condition and supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK.”

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, and still to this day all profits from the events go to the charity.

Collectively, it’s raised more than £3 million.

Krishan Solanki, Head of Events and Regional Development at Muscular Dystrophy UK said:

“Thank you to all our runners for completing Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown and raising, much-needed funds and awareness of Muscular Dystrophy UK. This will help support and improve the lives of thousands of families living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

“The event has continued to grow from strength to strength and it was fantastic to yet again see thousands of runners taking to the streets of Cambridge. A special thanks to our title partner Bidwells and all our sponsors for making 2023 the best year yet. We look forward to returning in 2024.”

The event went carbon neutral for the first time thanks to the title sponsor Bidwells, the largest property consultancy in the region.

Nick Pettit, senior partner at Bidwells, said:

“We had 30 runners out on the roads today and every single one of them looks like they’ve given it their all. Some of them were back before we knew it and I’ve got to say, I’m very impressed, but it’s been a fantastic effort from every single runner out on the course and from those who came out to cheer them on.

“We’ve been really impressed with the Muscular Dystrophy UK team, so we wish to thank them for all their efforts in helping put together such a brilliant day out for everyone. We’re lucky to have such a beautiful backdrop for the run and it’s been a pleasure to see the city in all its glory today. Roll on next year.”

Register your interest and be first to hear when the 2024 race opens for exclusive early bird pricing. For more information on the Bidwells Town and Gown 10k series visit: townandgown10k.com.