FAQs

Entry Information

How do I enter for 2024?

 
The event has now sold out.
 
Charity entries are still available – you can find out more details about securing a place with one of our official charity partners here.
 
If you are looking to secure a team place in our Business Challenge, please get in touch via ella@osbevents.com.
 
Details of all our different entry packages including Charity and Business Challenge entries can be found here .
 
It is possible to transfer a place but if you are offered one, please make sure you do it through official channels to avoid being scammed. You should only pay the entry fee through our entry platform Let’s Do This; the transfer fee comes out of their refund. The process is as follows:
 
1. Confirm the name and email address of the person they wish to transfer to, to info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com.
2. We will then send an entry link to the transferee. They must use this link to complete their entry and make payment before 4pm Thursday 25 January 2024.
3. Once they have completed their entry, we will withdraw the original place and refund the original race fee less a £20 transfer fee (excludes booking fees) to the card you paid with.
4. If the transferee fails to complete their entry by the 25 January 2024, no refund will be issued and the transferee will not be permitted to participate in the event.

 
Please note, all parts of the transfer process must be completed by both transferer and transferee before any refunds will be provided or before the transferee is permitted to take part in the event.
 

What is included in a VIP entry?

 
Your VIP entry will give you access to the VIP Marquee on event day. This is heated, has pre and post event food, post event massage, separate toilets and bag storage. Ahead of the event you will also receive a Cambridge Half Marathon training t-shirt.
 
As a VIP, you can start in any wave you like (when the start list is issued and your race number arrives, you will not have any wave details). We will provide guidance on selecting the appropriate wave for your pace – this information will be on display in the VIP tent.
 

Can I raise money for charity?

 
We have lots of charity partners for this event – last year our athletes raised over £600,000 for them. If you would like to race on their behalf, please contact them through the links on the Charity Page. They will be very happy to hear from you!
 
If your charity is not listed, please feel free to enter yourself and raise money for any charity of your choosing. You can create an official Cambridge Half Marathon fundraising page via our partner GivenGain
 

What's the minimum age to enter?

 
17 years old on or before the event date.
 

Can I race as a wheelchair athlete?

 
Our event does not currently have a wheelchair wave (though we are looking at how we can add this for future events). Standard chairs are welcome in the main field. However, we highly recommend viewing the site and route first to assess suitability.
 

Can I run with my child in a buggy?

 
Sorry but running with a buggy is not allowed.
 

Pre-Race Information

How will I get my race pack?

 
For general entries, when you complete your entry online, you will be offered the option to collect your pack from Midsummer Common BEFORE the event or to have it posted in advance (fees for postage apply). VIP, Charity and Business Challenge entries will be posted.
 
There is NO race pack collection on the day of the race. If you cannot collect from Midsummer Common on Friday or Saturday before the event, please select postage.
 
If you live outside of the UK mainland (including Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland) we are unable to post your race pack as it will not reach you in time. Please either provide an address on the mainland or make arrangements to collect on the Friday or Saturday.
 

I’ve opted to collect - when and where do I collect my race pack?

 
If you choose to collect your race pack, you must collect it from the event village on Midsummer Common on Friday 1 March (12-6pm) or Saturday 2 March (10-4pm). You must bring photo ID with you to collect your pack. We will not be able to issue your pack without this.
 
It is not possible to collect your race pack on the day of the race. If you can’t get to the site before the event day, please opt to have your pack posted.
 

I’ve opted to have my pack posted – do I need to do anything?

 
If you opted to have your pack posted, we will use the delivery address provided on your race entry to send the pack in advance of the race. It is your responsibility to provide the correct details.
 
If you need to change the delivery address, please notify us as soon as possible before 5pm on 25 January 2024 – email us at info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com with both your old address and the new one or call us on 01522 699950. We will not be able to process any change requests for postal deliveries after this date. If you require a replacement pack due to providing incorrect information, you will need to collect this from the Event Site on Midsummer Common on Friday 1 March or Saturday 2 March. A £5 charge will apply for replacement packs.
 
If you live outside of the UK mainland (including Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland) we are unable to post your race pack as it will not reach you in time. Please either provide an address on the mainland or make arrangements to collect on the Friday or Saturday.
 

I opted to Collect – can I change to have my pack posted?

 
If circumstances have changed and you want your pack posted, you can use the link on your confirmation email to edit your booking and add postage until 25 January 2024. Alternatively, please call us before 5pm on 25 January 2024 to make payment for postage. After this date, we will be unable to make the change to post your pack to you.
 
If you have opted to collect, please ensure you can visit the Event Site on Midsummer Common on Friday 1 March (12-6pm) or Saturday 2 March (10-4pm). You cannot collect your pack on race day so please call us to arrange postage before the deadline above if you need to change.
 

Can I make changes to my Information?

 
Yes, you can make changes to your information until 5pm Thursday 25 January 2024. You can use the link on your confirmation email to edit your booking or you will need to email your old and new details to info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com.
 

Can I transfer my place?

 
You can transfer your place to someone else until 5pm 25 January 2024. The transfer process must be completed by BOTH you and your athlete by this time, no transfers are possible after this date. Full details are available in the Terms and Conditions. Please note – if you have a charity, business challenge or partner place, these are not transferable, and you will need to contact the organisation that gave you the entry directly to let them know that you cannot race.
 
You can make your transfer by emailing info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com with the name and email address of the person taking your place. Once the other person has used the entry link that is sent to them and completed their entry, you will be refunded your entry fee minus the £20 transfer fee (booking fees are not refundable). To keep everyone safe, all financial transactions will be completed via our entry platform Lets Do This – please do not share your bank details with or transfer any money directly to anyone.
 
If the new athlete does not complete their entry before the deadline, you will not be refunded and your place will stay live. If you are having difficulties, please call the office on 01522 699950 before 4pm Thursday 25 January 2024. Sorry, but we will be unable to help you after this time.
 

I need to withdraw, can I get a refund?

 
If you need to withdraw, please email info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com. All withdrawals must be made in writing – if requested, you must confirm a withdrawal by the specified deadline. Charity, business challenge or partner places are not refundable – you need to contact the organisation that gave you the entry directly to let them know that you cannot race.
 
For withdrawals requested before Friday 19 January (and confirmed within the timeframe specified where required) a partial refund will apply. After this date there can be no refunds. Full details are in the Terms and Conditions – in summary:
 
• Up to Friday 3 November 2023, there will be a refund of £25 for standard entries or £50 for VIP entries where VIP t-shirt has not been issued, refund will be reduced to £40 if VIP t-shirt has already been issued
• Up to Friday 19 January 2024 Refund of £15 for standard entries or refund of £30 for VIP entries where VIP t-shirt has not been issued, refund will be reduced to £20 if VIP t-shirt has already been issued
• From Saturday 20 January 2024 onwards No refunds will be issued
 
Please note that booking fees are not refundable.
 

Can I buy insurance?

 
When making your entry, you will be offered the opportunity to purchase event insurance with Yellow Jersey for an additional cost. This will provide you with race fee cover should you be unable to attend due to an unexpected or unforeseen circumstance that occurs after your purchase. It also covers you for accidents while racing. Full policy terms in the OSB T&C’s at the end of this form or by visiting www.yellowjersey.co.uk/OSB
 

Can I defer my entry?

 
Sorry but there is no option to defer race entries.
 

 

Race Day Information

What time does the race start?

 
The race starts at 9:30am. However, not all runners start at the same time. Runners are organised into waves depending on their estimated finish times. The first wave will leave at 9:30am and we anticipate the last one leaving approximately 30-60 minutes later, so your personal start time may be later than 9:30am. However, your timing chip will ensure that your individual start and finish time is captured. If you need to update your estimated finish time, this must be done by 5pm on 25 January 2024. We cannot make wave changes after this time. You can use the link in your confirmation email to edit your booking, or you can email info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com and we will amend this for you.
 
We will email details of your race number and wave time approximately two weeks before the race. We recommend getting to the event site an hour before your start time to give yourself time to prepare properly and arriving at the start area 20 minutes to allow time to load all runners into the wave. You can wear old clothing to keep warm and discard it into our bins for charity donation when you approach the start line. If you arrive after the final wave has been loaded, you will not be allowed to start the race.
 

How do I get to the start?

 
The event village and start line is on Midsummer Common, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge, CB4 1HA.
 
For those that can walk or jog, please do, as it will ease traffic congestion and is a great way to warm up. We will have a free secure bike park on site for up to 1,000 bikes.
 
For those travelling from further away please consider using our Event Park and Ride service, see the Bus Service Map HERE. This is a special event only service which runs earlier than the normal service and must be booked in advance to guarantee availability. Please note that tickets are per passenger NOT per car. Each person over 5 years old travelling needs a ticket for the bus service which we put on specially for the event. Sorry but there are no concessions for this service.
 
In 2024 we will be using 7 sites, including St Ives & Longstanton which both come in along the guided busway and the sites at Babraham Road, Milton, Trumpington, Newmarket Road and Madingley Road. Please follow this to check where you will be dropped off/picked up again. For general site information please visit Cambridge Park and Ride and The Bus Way.
 
Park & Ride can be booked when you enter or via Let’s Do This. Tickets for Park & Ride are currently £6 per person and can be ordered until Thursday 22 February. Tickets will rise to £7 from 26 January, at which point we will no longer be able to send your tickets in your race pack and they will need to be sent separately. After 22 February tickets will only be available to purchase at the site at a cost of £10 per adult and £6 per child under 15.
 
There will be no exclusive use of Grafton West car park this year. You can still use it on a first come first served basis as a normal car park.
 

Will there be water or gels?

 
Yes, we will be providing water and High5 Aqua Gels at the four drink stations across the course. We would encourage you to bring your own refillable bottle or collapsible cup. There will be refill points on Midsummer Common and at certain drink stations. Final details will be in the race information.
 

I want to wear something to keep me warm at the start, is there somewhere I can leave it?

 
We will have a bag storage tent where you can leave your bag, we will provide you with a numbered bag tag. If you would like to wear an old top and dispose of it at the start, there will be large bags that you can put it in. All disposed of items will be passed on to charity.
 

Will there be pacers?

 
Yes. We normally have pacers running at 1hr 30mins, 1hr 45mins, 2hrs, 2hrs 15mins, 2hr 30 mins and 2hr 45 mins. Most will have flags but all will be wearing pacer t-shirts so you can spot them.
 

Is there a cut-off?

 
Yes, there is. We want to support everyone to have a great race, but we also have limits on how long we can close the roads in Cambridge, so we will stop you if you are going to take longer than 3.5 hours. There will be on course cut-off points that you must reach in time to continue, these will be confirmed in due course, in the race information.
 

 

Other

Do you need volunteers?

 
Always! We can’t run our events without the help of our amazing team of volunteers. It’s a great way to be part of the event and the atmosphere if you don’t want to take part in the race itself. All our volunteers get food, a designated refreshment area, an event jacket and a guaranteed (discounted) entry for the following year.
 
We have a system called Rosterfy which we use to register all our volunteers. It will allow you to select your own job and will give you access to information about your role. Please follow the link on the volunteer page to sign up.
 
We are also always on the lookout for large groups to run feed stations and other areas that require a large number of volunteers, so if you are part of a running group, school, charity, knitting circle, sewing bee or just have a massive group of friends that would love to spend the day helping out, please get in touch with volunteers@osbevents.com and make our day!
 

How can my business get involved in the event?

 
There are lots of ways for businesses to get involved – you can become an event sponsor, a supplier or vendor, or you can enter a team into the Business Challenge!
 
If you’re interested in getting your business involved, find out more here or email Ella@osbevents.com.