Our complete guide to the 2023 Cambridge Half Marathon, including getting there, road closures, the route map, timings and things to remember
Thousands of runners will tackle the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday (March 5).
The course will once again take runners past a number of historic landmarks, into beautiful countryside and into the grounds of two University of Cambridge colleges.
There are a number of charity partners for the event – including headline charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK and national charity partners Cancer Research UK. Last year, those taking part raised more than £500,000 for various good causes.
Adam Moffat, event director of the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, said: “The 2023 TTP Cambridge Half Marathon is going to be another amazing event day for the city.
“We are delighted to have yet another sell-out event, and we cannot wait to see everyone at the start line on Sunday. A lot of work has gone into making this event happen and we’d like to thank all of our partners, volunteers and runners for their outstanding support.”
What time does it start and when are the presentations?
Runners are organised into waves depending on their estimated finish times.
The first wave will leave at 9.30am and the last one is expected to leave approximately half an hour later. Timing chips in race number will capture individual running times.
After the race, there will be a presentation from 12-12.15pm, with prizes given to the top three male and female competitors.
Getting to the event - parking, cycling and bus services
Road closures will be in place on the day (see below), although access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained.
Runners and spectators are encouraged to use Park & Ride sites - which open from 7am. Runners are urged not to be late as the run cannot be delayed.
There will be free secure storage for 1,000 bicycles in the event village, closing at 3pm.
All bus services will continue to run. However, the stops on Trumpington Street and Downing Street will be suspended, with an alternative stop in place on Emmanuel Street. With the exception of small sections on Victoria Avenue and Jesus Lane, all pavements will remain open.
All car parks will remain open, except Grafton West, which has been allocated as an event-only car park, with pre-purchased tickets.
What is at the event village?
Midsummer Common will feature:
- Enquiries area
- Merchandise
- Charity and sponsor expo
- Bag storage area
- Bike storage area
- Medical help
- Toilets
- Coffee vendors
- Water tanks for bottle refill
There will be no food vendors will be on site this year, but a great selection of coffee and cake is promised.
Interactive route map
As in previous years, the event starts and finishes on Victoria Avenue, with Midsummer Common acting as the event village. The route takes in many of Cambridge’s most famous sites, including King’s College, Queens’ College, Corpus Christi College, the Fitzwilliam Museum, Jesus College and Cambridge University Botanic Garden, as well as passing through Grantchester.
Runners will also get the chance to go into the grounds of King’s and Jesus Colleges as part of the route.
Road closures
The full list of road closures on the day is as follows:
- Barton Road – west (6am-1pm)
- Bene’t Street – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Bridge Street – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Chesterton Road (between Mitcham’s Corner and Elizabeth Way) – both directions (8am-11.30am)
- Chesterton Road (between Mitcham’s Corner and Northampton Street) – west (8am-11.30am)
- Church Lane (Trumpington) – both directions (8am-1pm)
- Coton Road – both directions (8am-1pm)
- Elizabeth Way (Bridge) – north (8am-11.30am)
- Elizabeth Way (Section from Chesterton Road Roundabout – Milton Road) – north (8am-11.30am)
- Elizabeth Way Bus Lane – north (4am-1pm)
- Garret Hostel Lane (bridge) – both directions (4am-11.30am)
- Grantchester Road, High Street and Mill Way (Grantchester) – both directions (8am-1pm)
- Guildhall Street – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Jesus Lane (Manor Street – Four Lamps roundabout) – both directions (8am-2pm)
- King’s Parade – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Lower Park Street (short section by Jesus Green/college entrance) – both directions (6am-2pm)
- Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road (to the E Way roundabout) – both directions (8am-11.30am)
- Milton Road/A1134 Roundabout – Mitcham’s Corner – west (8am-11.30am)
- Newnham Road – south (6am-1pm)
- Northampton Street – west (8am-11.30)
- Park Parade – both directions (6am-2pm)
- Petty Cury – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Queen’s Road South (6am-12.30pm)
- Richmond Terrace – both directions (6am2pm)
- Senate House Hill – both directions (4am-5pm); Sidney Street – both directions (4am-5pm)
- Silver Street – both directions (6am-2pm)
- The Fen Causeway – both directions (6am-2pm)
- Thompsons Lane – both directions (8am-2pm)
- Trinity Lane – both directions (4am-11.30am)
Video guide for runners
The organisers have prepared this video guide for runners.
What to remember
The organisers remind entrants to bring:
- Race number with timing chip attached
- 4 safety pins or a number band to ensure your race number is visible at all times
- Park & Ride token - if using this service
- Bag Tag - if using this service
- Appropriate clothing to stay warm/dry pre- and post-race
Remember that the wearing of headphones is not permitted - so leave the iPod at home. The only exception to this is bone conducting headphones that do not go in or cover ears, which will be permitted.
What’s the time to beat?
If you fancy your chances as one of the winners, then good luck to you. Last year, there were just 30 seconds between the first three finishers, who were:
- Nick Bester, of Best Athletics (age 30-34), in 1:06:19, at a speed of 3:08 min/km
- Christopher Thomas, of Thames Valley Harriers (age 25-29), in 1:06:30, at a speed of 3:09 min/km
- Alex Milne, of Hercules Wimbledon AC (age 30-34), in 1:06:39, at a speed of 3:09 min/km
The first three female runners back were:
- Lucy Reid, of Tonbridge AC (age 25-29) in 1:11:15, at a speed of 3:22 min/km
- Georgina Schwiening, of Cambridge Runners (age 25-29) in 1:12:18, at a speed of 3:25 min/km
- Holly Archer, of Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club (age 25-29) in 1:13:20, at a speed of 3:28 min/km.
What if I am slow?
The event has a cut-off time of three hours 30 minutes from your start time, with the whole event cut off at 1.45pm. There are two on-course cut-off times which runners must hit - the 9.5-mile point at Trumpington Road by 1pm and the 11.5-mile point at the Silver Street junction by 1.30pm.
Runners who are not past these points by these times will be asked to get into the event minibus which will bring them back to Midsummer Common.
What charities will benefit?
Charities set to benefit from the race include: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, and then the gold bond charities which include Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and Magpas Air Ambulance.
[Read more: Cambridge Half Marathon 2022: Runners to raise money for Cambridge Sustainable Food’s work]
Photo galleries
Don’t miss the Cambridge Independent’s online galleries and our special coverage in next week’s edition, out from March 8.
You can see our galleries of pictures from previous Cambridge Half Marathons here:
More information
Visit cambridgehalfmarathon.com for more information on the event.
