A record 4,050 people signed up for this year’s Bidwells Cambridge 10k and junior 3k, which took place on Sunday.
The sell-out event attracted elite runners competing for a personal best as well as groups of friends, corporate teams, people in fancy dress, and those with a personal reason for taking part to fundraise. It is on track to raise over £160,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for the 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
For the first time in the event’s 14-year history, entries sold out in advance with the largest number of participants – 3,960 registered for the 10k, plus 90 for the junior 3k. The event is part of the Town & Gown 10k series, which started in Oxford in 1982, inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy. His father and local runners set up the event as a fun run to raise money, and still to this day, all profits go to Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The junior 3k and main 10k race were both officially started by Chris Hooper, 52, from Cambridge, who has supported the event for several years in memory of his wife Donna, who lived with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), and sadly died in 2008 aged 29. Chris took up running shortly after her death and wanted to support Muscular Dystrophy UK after seeing the difference the charity made to Donna and other people living with muscle wasting conditions.
Chris was unable to run this year due to an injury, but said a few words to the runners at the start line before officially counting down to start the races.
Chris said:
“If I can do something for the charity so that they can help others to receive the support they need, then I think Donna would be proud. There’s always an amazing sense of community at this event, and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone for taking part.”
The first 10k runner across the finish line was Ben Jones from Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club who ran the course with a chip time of 31:55.3. The fastest female was Emma Hodson from Cambridge University Hare and Hounds with a chip time of 35:52.6. In the Junior 3k, the fastest runners were George Jenner from BRJ Run and Tri with a time of 12:12.9 and Madeleine Legg from Cambridge & Coleridge AC with a chip time of 12:48.8.
Teams taking part included the Dewar family – parents Greg and Tonya and sons Thomas and Benjamin – who raised over £1,800 in memory of their son and brother William, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sadly died in July 2023 aged 22. Proudly paying tribute to their loved one with ‘Remembering William’ printed on their t-shirts, they were fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK so that others like William can get the support they need to live life to the full.
Jessie Keighley, Events Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the 2025 Bidwells Cambridge 10k and junior 3k, as well as all those who came along to support and volunteer.
“This is a true community event, and we’re delighted that it continues to grow, selling out in advance for the first time this year. The money raised will make a huge difference, helping us to continue funding research and supporting those living with muscle wasting conditions.
“We’d like to say a special thank you to Chris for being our official race starter this year, as well as our event partner, Bidwells, for helping to make the event a success, as well as one that is carbon neutral. Some sponsorship money is still coming in, but the event looks set to raise over £160,000, which is incredible. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in Cambridge again next year!”
Photo credit: Chris O’Donovan/Muscular Dystrophy UKMatt Allen, Senior Executive Director at Bidwells, said:
“We were proud to be part of this incredible event once again and to support the vital work of Muscular Dystrophy UK. Not only as event partners but also entering a team of runners.
“This partnership goes beyond traditional sponsorship. Our decision to forge a long-term alliance with Muscular Dystrophy UK stems from our deep admiration for the remarkable work this charity undertakes. We are investing our time, energy, and resources into this partnership, with the goal of making a tangible difference in the vital work they carry out.
“With a rich history in land and property spanning over 185 years, Bidwells has a strong presence in both Cambridge and Oxford. Supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK’s well-established ‘Town and Gown’ 10k runs in these cities allows us to champion the charity and its cause, while also giving back to the local communities that are central to our work.
“Congratulations to everyone who took part on Sunday, and we can’t wait to see you all again in 2026.”
Alongside headline partner Bidwells, the event was supported by David Lloyd Clubs, who helped get runners race-ready with a warm-up on the main stage.
Sign up now for 2026 at: https://www.
Find out more about Muscular Dystrophy UK at: www.musculardystrophyuk.org.
