FAQs
Entry Information
How do I enter?
Entries open for Cambridgeshire residents on our mailing list on 2 August 2022 at 10am.
Non-Cambridgeshire residents on our mailing list can enter on 3 August 2022 and then if there are any places left general entries will open on 4 August 2022.
Details of different entry packages including Charity and Business Challenge entries can be found here.
Once general entries to the race have sold out, you may still be able to secure a place through one of our charity partners.
Can I raise money for charity?
We have lots of charity partners for this event – last year our athletes raised over £500,000 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.
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. 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 as it would be unsafe.
Pre-Race Information
How will I get my race pack?
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). You can check the option you have chosen via the Let’s Do This app or by logging in to your account.
Please note – there is NO race pack collection on the day of the race. Collection will be on Friday and Saturday before the event only. If you cannot collect from Midsummer Common on those days, please select postage.
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 the Friday (12-6pm) or Saturday (10-4pm) BEFORE the race. Sorry, but it is not possible to collect your race pack on the day of the race. If you cannot get to the site before the event day, please opt to have your pack posted.
You must bring photo ID with you to collect your pack. We will not be able to issue your pack without this.
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 you have provided on your race entry to send the pack in advance of the race. It is your responsibility to provide the correct details. You can check your details for this event via the Let’s Do This app or by logging in to your account.
If you need to change the delivery address, please notify us as soon as possible before 5pm on the 27 January 2023 – email us at info@cambridgehalfmarathon.com 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 a replacement pack by visiting us at Midsummer Common on the Friday or Saturday (a £5 charge will apply).
If you opted to have your pack posted and it has not been delivered (sadly sometimes they go missing in the post), please come to Enquiries on Midsummer Common, ideally on Friday or Saturday before the event if possible, to collect a replacement pack.
I opted to Collect – can I change to have my pack posted?
If your circumstances have changed and you would now like your pack posted, please call us before 5pm on 27 January 2023 and we can add this for you and take payment for postage.
After this date, we will be unable to make the change to post your pack to you. You will have to collect it from Midsummer Common on the Friday or Saturday before the event. You will not be able to collect your pack on the day of the race. Please remember to bring photo ID with you to collect.
Can I transfer my place?
You can transfer your place to someone else before 27 January 2023. The transfer process must be completed by BOTH you and your athlete by this date, no transfers are possible after this date.
Please note – if you have a charity or partner place, these are not transferrable, 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 and include the name and email address of the person you wish to take your place. We will sent them a link and once they have used this and completed their entry, you will be refunded your entry fee minus the £10 transfer fee. Please note that booking fees are not refundable.
If the other 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 4:30pm Friday 27 January 2023. Sorry, but we will be unable to help you after this date.
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.
For withdrawals made until Sunday 29 January 2023, a partial refund will apply. After this date there can be no refunds.
– Up to 84 days before the event, 11 December 2022, you will receive your entry fee, minus a £10 cancellation fee.
– Between 83 and 42 days before the event, 22 January 2023, the cancellation fee will be £15.
– Between 41 and 35 days before the event, 29 January 2023, there will be a £20 cancellation fee.
– From 34 days before the event, 30 January 2023, we cannot issue any refund.
Can I defer my place?
Sorry but there is no option to defer race entries.
When should I start training?
Great question, we took this one to our training partner Coopah. The truth is, it really depends on your current level. However, Coopah believes anyone can train for a half marathon within 16 weeks and even if you are an advanced runner, 16 weeks is a great timeframe to really focus on Cambridge Half as your focus race. If timing is short though, 12 weeks can be a great training block to really push for that PB. Whatever time you have, Coopah has a plan for you to get you to the start line. If you are a beginner, check out this blog.
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 half an hour later. Therefore, your personal start time could be later than 9:30am. Your timing chip in your race number will ensure that your personal start and finish time is captured.
We suggest you get to the event site an hour before the race to give yourself time to prepare properly.
We will email you with your race number and wave time approximately three weeks before the race. Please arrive at the start area ready to race at least 15/20 minutes before your wave start time, to allow time to ‘load’ all the runners in your wave.
How do I get to the start?
For those that can walk or jog, please do as it will ease traffic congestion and is a great way to warm up. If you want to cycle, 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 and must be booked in advance to guarantee availability. In 2023 we will again be using 6 sites, including St Ives & Longstanton, which both come in along the guided busway, alongside the sites at Milton, Trumpington, Newmarket and Madingley Road. For general site information please visit Cambridge Park and Ride and The Bus Way. The return journey will be from the same place you are dropped off, so make a note of the location so you can find it again easily!
Please note that tickets are per person 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.
Park & Ride can be booked when you enter or via the Shop tab at the top of the website. Tickets for Park & Ride are currently £6 per person and can be ordered until 1pm on Thursday 23 February. Please note – tickets purchased after 29 January will not be sent with your race pack and will be sent separately. Once online sales close, tickets will only be available to purchase at the site at a cost of £10 per adult and £6 per child under 15.
We will also have an event car park at Grafton West which is within 200m of the event village. In the past, this has sold out very quickly. Price is £18 per space.
Will there be water?
Yes, we will be providing water and High5 Aqua Gels at the drink stations.
We will again have 4 Drink stations. Water will be available in compostable cups and there will be recycling bins for these. The compost will be used on gardens across Cambridgeshire.
If you would like to bring your own refillable bottle, there will be tap points on Midsummer Common and at drink stations 2 and 3 where you can refill your bottle.
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. If you are close to this time, then we may ask you to move onto the pavement. There will be a minibus behind the last runners from halfway round and if you are very obviously not going to meet the cut-off, we will ask you to stop.
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 for volunteers. It will allow you to select your own job and will give you access to information. 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 ali@osbevents.com and make her 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, please email ella@osbevents.com.