Coach Kate’s running group to be the largest group at this year’s Town and Gown 10k

The Cambridge Town and Gown 10k is back once again to turn the city orange in the annual fundraising race.

The scenic 10k route attracts runners from all backgrounds, with the largest group this year being a 30-strong women’s running group from Essex and Hertfordshire.

The event attracts upwards of 3,000 runners to fundraise for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the charity which organises it. On October 16, 3,000 runners will return to Cambridge’s streets for the 11th Cambridge Town and Gown 10k race which passes some of city’s most iconic landmarks, historic sights and natural beauty spots.

Among them will be the 30-strong women’s team, Coach Kate’s running group (coached by Kate Macfarlane), from Bishop’s Stortford, Chelmsford and Saffron Walden, who will be taking on their first Muscular Dystrophy UK 10k race as the largest team signed up for the event.

Kate 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. She said: “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.”

Jessie Keighley, Muscular Dystrophy UK’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.”

[Read more: Gallery: Runners tackle Town and Gown 10k and junior 3k as part of Cambridge Festival of Running]

The 10k is open to everyone over the age of 16. Alongside it, the Junior 3k race gives an opportunity for the younger generation to join in the fun with a contained route within Jesus Green and Midsummer Common. It is open to anyone aged 9-15.

If you are a wheelchair user or have any accessibility requirements and would like to take part, contact townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org and the organisers will make the necessary arrangements.

The Town and Gown 10k raises vital funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK. So while fundraising is not compulsory, the charity encourages all runners to fundraise what they can to help beat muscle-wasting conditions sooner.

Visit townandgown10k.com/cambridge/ to register and to learn more about how to set up an online giving page.