On your marks, get set...
Nearly 100 of our students, staff and alumni are set to take part in this Sunday's (17 October 2021) Cambridge Half-Marathon, running a route which takes them through the College grounds.
They have been pounding the pavements for months in preparation for Sunday’s race which starts and finishes in Victoria Avenue.
Runners will enter the College at the Lower Park Street gates and exit onto Jesus Lane before turning onto Victoria Avenue just before they cross the finish line.
All Jesus students, Fellows and staff and their families are welcome to come and watch the race and cheer the runners on. An official charity cheer point will also be in place by Boaty Archway, and an additional cheer point will be in place for the families supported by The Red Hen Project near the exit gates onto Jesus Lane.
As this year’s event is taking place in October we welcome, for the first time, four of our Freshers who obtained a place in the race as offer holders - Ria Bacarach, Ruari McColl, Alby Biju and Aidan Crowson.
Meanwhile James Cummins, in the second year of his Phd in Applied Maths, has show incredible determination in his training. He will be running on Sunday despite sustaining two broken bones in a crash less than two months ago.
James was out cycling about seven weeks ago when his bike was involved in a crash with a car. He sustained a broken collarbone and a broken pelvis.
After two weeks’ complete rest, James began walking short distances at a slow pace. Soon he was back on his bike, using a turbo trainer to give static resistance.
He credits his impressive recovery to being in good shape before the accident.
He said: “I’m really fortunate that my recovery has gone well. I had it in my mind I was going to complete the half marathon and I didn’t want to let this get in my way. I’m lucky I had a good level of fitness before the crash so I was able to get back to it.
“I found getting on the bike really helpful as it allowed me to work on my fitness without putting too much stress on my body. It also allowed me to continue to wear my sling while I cycled.”
At his most recent hospital check-up, James was told he could resume running.
“The doctor said it’s quite a good way of building back bone density. I’m still doing short, consistent runs but hope to build up just before the race. The break to my collarbone was far worse and I still can’t do much with that but thankfully that’s not required for a half marathon.”
This year the Cambridge Half Marathon is being held the same weekend as the Town and Gown 10K. The Town and Gown race does not pass through the College grounds but does proceed along Jesus Lane and into Victoria Avenue with local road closures in place.
If you have a vehicle parked in the College, or you drive to work, please note that there will be no vehicular movement in to and out of College from approximately 4am until approximately 5pm on Sunday. If you use public transport, the bus stop on Victoria Avenue, near the roundabout will be suspended while the road is closed. Emergency access to the College will be maintained at all times.
The pedestrian gates will be available all day for College members only. For the security of everyone on site, please do not allow the general public to follow you in. During the race the entrance and exit gates of the College will be attended by security staff engaged by the half marathon organisers, you may be asked by them to show identification to gain access.
Any additional information received ahead of the races will be added to this page on JNet.
We wish all of our runners the very best of luck!
