This was my 3rd time running the Cambridge Half Marathon and despite some fairly nasty weather at the start was a great event- but there's still room for improvement.

If you love running and live locally then this event should almost be compulsory- when else can you get to run along your fav routes and sights and not have to share it with cars, wrong way cyclists and errant tourists wandering into you?

Of course, you do share it with another 9000 or so runners, and given some of the narrow streets I think we're getting close to maximum capacity. Out of town, overtaking was also tricky, as the road is shared with oncoming traffic (albeit coned off in the middle) and required some careful negotiating.

The route takes you through some of the most iconic parts of Cambridge and is accompanied by lots of people cheering you on, however the 2 miles heading out to Trumpington isn't particularly picturesque (or flat) and is a long slightly uphill slog, as is the hill as you go through Grantchester, oh, and the last mile up and over Elizabeth Way bridge at the end was a bit testy on my weary legs too- maybe I'm getting soft having lived in relatively flat Cambridge for too long?

Queuing up for the wave funnel was a muddy and slippy affair- surely there could have been some matting put down given the expected numbers? and why oh why if the Town & Gown 10k can put a couple of tents up for pre/ post race changing, why can't the organisers here?

Personally, I find the entry fee a bit steep- I have completed many races now, and in some have had a running top included for a lot less- and yes I have organised my own races including road closures and do appreciate the costs involved... but still.

Finally, when are local businesses going to wake up and take the opportunity to make some money and open up earlier for race goers and their families- every year there are literally hundreds of people looking for a hot coffee and breakfast while their other half is running?

Sadly with the demise of Tivoli the other year and now The Waterman recently there is nowhere open as even the Fort St George didn't open till 12. As it happens, after the race I briefly stopped at their beer garden with my free pint of Erdinger in hand and was told to move on- this was a shame as we were planning to stay for a meal and a bottle of wine once they opened- but soon changed our mind after that... their loss.

In summary then, a good race, lots of cheering and support through town, a few challenging bits and some nice views thrown in, even the weather didn't spoil it. The Cambridge Half Marathon isn't perfect, but there has been improvements year on year and I would recommend it- you'll have to get in early though as places go fast. For next year can we please have a changing tent?