We learn more about the fruitful partnerships between local charities and the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon
Known for its lively atmosphere, the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon is a much-loved, much-anticipated event in the local community. For the runners, it’s an opportunity to jog 13.1 miles around iconic colleges and car-free city streets (as well as beautiful Grantchester), while spectators can soak up the electric energy and join in the fun with motivational signs – cheering on friends, family members and colleagues to give them a boost.
As well as a fun day out, the event marks a major fundraising opportunity for charities such as the Charlie Waller Trust – which focuses on young people’s mental health – and Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC). The latter has been a charity partner of the race for five years now, with centre manager Clare Baker describing it as ‘a crucial part of enabling us to provide our emotional, therapeutic and advocacy support services for local women and girls’.
“The half marathon is the highlight of our year,” she enthuses. “Every year, we have staff from across our services, trustees and volunteers coming along to meet our incredible runners and cheer them along the route. Team CRCC runners are amazing and it’s always a joy and a privilege to be part of their Cambridge Half experience, especially with those runners who come back to us year after year. The event is always really well-organised, the route is beautiful and it gives us the opportunity to build lasting relationships and spread the word about what we do in our community.”
All of CRCC’s charity places are filled for 2023, but you can pre-register for 2024 by emailing the fundraising team. If you do, you’ll be running with an extra spring in your step knowing that you are directly impacting the charity’s ability to provide support to victims in their hour of need. “The event is an important part of funding the services, particularly our counselling services which don’t have secure long-term funding, at a time when we are seeing more survivors reaching out to us for support than ever before in our 40-year history,” says Clare. “It’s our biggest fundraising event, with runners raising around £30,000 each year, and a crucial part of enabling us to provide emotional, therapeutic and advocacy support services for local women and girls.”
Another organisation that enjoys a big fundraising boost from the half marathon is Alzheimer’s Research UK, the headline charity partner. Cambridgeshire-based, but operating nationally, it is the UK’s leading dementia research charity dedicated to diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. “Last year, we had around 150 runners in the race. They raised £70,000 for dementia research and we are hoping to raise even more this year,” comments Julia Sobik, head of sporting events. One of the top races in the charity’s portfolio, it’s made extra special by the fact that it’s local. “Many employees attend to cheer on the runners. This results in our cheer squads being the biggest and loudest on the course!” she says.
“So many of our runners have experienced the heartbreak of dementia in their families,” Julia continues. “But with their amazing support, they are helping us power world-class studies to make life-changing breakthroughs.” There are still a few open places if you’d like to run for Alzheimer’s Research UK – and if you do, you can be sure of a very vocal support squad on the day. You’ll also be given a free running vest, plus loads of help with fundraising if needed. “On top of all that, you’ll be joining the amazing #TeamARUK community of runners,” adds Julia. “All of whom are dedicated to helping end the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.”
The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon returns on Sunday 5 March. To find out more about fundraising efforts, visit cambridgehalfmarathon.com/charities.
