Race news: Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon - March 8, 2015
Next weekend’s Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon (8 March) features 4,500 runners including the returning champions, Vicky Knight (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) and Aaron Scott (Notts AC). The field features a high standard of club runners alongside fun runners and Cancer Research charity fundraisers.
Knight won last March in a time of 1hour 17:43, whist Scott made an early impression and maintained a lead throughout the race to win the men’s title in 1hour 06:34. Scott hopes to make a similar impression this year, he said: “It’s always great to win a big city half and the crowds made a bit special last year. It fits well into my build up for the London Marathon, and in a competitive sense I would love to break the course record.”
The course record stands at 1hour 06:15 by Jon Pepper in the snow conditions of 2013. The women’s record dates back to 2012 when Holly Rush ran 1hour 14:04.
Around 675 runners, 15% of the field, will be running their first ever half marathon events. Many of those have committed to raising funds for Cancer Research UK, which benefited from £165,000 sponsorship from runners last year, the biggest total since the Half Marathon was launched in 2012.
As well as individuals, there are also 100 relay teams of two people. The first will run 6.1 and the second person 7.0miles.
The large majority of the field is there to achieve personal challenges and fundraising goals. Local club, Cambridge and Coleridge AC, which has more than 900 members, has a large number of runners taking part again this year and will provide the pace runners to help guide others set personal best times.
The route is identical to last year and begins at 9.30am on Victoria Avenue, passes some of Cambridge’s most famous locations including The Backs, in front of King’s College, the Market Square, the Round Church before finishing on Midsummer Common. All runners will have completed the course by 1pm.
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Sauconcy Cambridge Half Marathon Stats and Facts:
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This is the fourth year that the event has been held after it was launched in 2012.
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Entries sold out faster than ever last October. All entries were sold within three days of opening with priority having gone to runners with a CB postcode;
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There are 675 first time Half Marathon runners, that's approx 15% of the field;
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A total of 270 volunteers will help deliver the Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon alongside One Step Beyond Events;
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Course records: Male: Jon Pepper (2013) 01:06:15, Female: Holly Rush (2012) 01:14:04;
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General race warm up is at 8.55am, and the race starts promptly at 9.30am on Victoria Avenue;
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The cut off time for completion is 3hours 30mins (1pm);
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There are six drinks stations on the course;
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iPods/personal headphones are not allowed in the race;
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Park & Ride is available, even if not booked in advance, the price is £4;
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There is secure bike parking on site for those arriving by bike;
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Runners are to start in pens based on the colour of their running number;
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Event partners include Cambridge Property Lettings, Cambridge Consultants, Saucony, Anglia Ruskin University, The Sports Injury Clinic, Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council;
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£165,000 was raised by runners for Cancer Research UK last year. The overall total after this year’s event will surpass £500,000;
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The route map is available HERE
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Traffic and travel information: HERE
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The Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon is organised by One Step Beyond.
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Notable competitors:
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Amy Hughes - Marathon running World Record Holder who ran 53 marathons in 53 days (HERE)
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Aaron Scott – defending male winner from 2014
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Vicky Knight – defending female winner from 2014
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Noel Thatcher, MBE – Five-time Paralympic Gold medal winning runner
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Pace runners – 9 pace athletes running 1:30, 1:45 & 2:00. These are all local runners from Cambridge and Coleridge RC
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For more information visit www.onestepbeyond.org.uk
