After spending the week checking social media to see if the race was still going ahead due to the ‘beast from the east’ and worrying if I would make it out of my snow covered town, it was great to cross the start line on my first run around Cambridge. 

After arriving at 7:30am at the Milton park and ride car park, it was perfect being able to hop on a chartered bus direct to the start line with plenty of time to spare.

Due to the start area being under snow a few days before the event, there was quite a lot of mud around but nothing too boggy. Access to the toilets, stands, baggage drop and race starting pens was straight forward and hassle free.

The race itself seemed a blur, I can’t recall too many of the famous Cambridge landmarks advertised in the race as there was a number of runners packed around in the first 6 miles. The roads seemed pack and narrow and you had to be aware of other runners ankles and elbows! Once you hit the country roads, it became more open and as a runner, get into a natural stride.

The atmosphere picked up when re-entering the city and there was a lot of noise and support which was a great motivator. The course had plenty of water and gel stops and there were a number of marshals on the 13.1 mile route.

After crossing the finish line, you were rewarded with a medal, water, chocolate milkshake, a can and a pint of alcohol free beer (which I have started to enjoy). After the race, the only downside was the journey back to the car park. As there were many roads closed due to the race, it took a lot longer for the bus to return to the car park. 

I ran Cambridge HM as my usual race around this time of year (Silverstone) was not running in 2018. I enjoyed the flat course and will run it again if Silverstone HM doesn’t occur in 2019