Female running group go the distance for Muscular Dystrophy UK

19 September 2023

Female running group go the distance for Muscular Dystrophy UK

• Call for runners to join the Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k on Sunday 15 October
• Coach Kate’s mission to get women running and raise awareness of muscular dystrophy
• Thousands of runners will turn Cambridge town orange as they complete historic charity run

Kate Macfarlane, 52, from Bishop’s Stortford, and Justine Mayhew, 56, from Chelmsford, will join thousands of people taking on the historic Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k event, on Sunday 15 October, as it returns to the city for the twelfth year.

Kate, also known as Coach Kate, is a UK Athletics Coach in Running Fitness and Endurance Event Group Coach. Kate leads several women’s running groups across East Hertfordshire and Essex. She along with 44 members of her club, including, Justine, will be taking to the streets of Cambridge, all in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK. The event will raise awareness and much-needed funds for the charity, which funds research into treatments for rare, life-limiting muscle-wasting and weakening conditions and supports the 110,000 children and adults across the UK living with these conditions.

The Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown event will be going carbon neutral for the first time thanks to the title sponsor Bidwells, the largest property consultancy in the region. The magnificent closed-road city centre route takes in the sights of the city and along the River Cam, with thousands of runners expected to complete the 10k course, along with the Junior 3k course for children aged between 9-15 years old.

After entering the largest female team of runners last year, Coach Kate is excited to return to Bidwell’s Cambridge Town & Gown with her runners for a second year. She explained, “We had an incredible experience last time. We were the largest team in the race and had runners spread right through the field. The course is amazing, and the event is so well organised that we can’t wait to come back.”

Coach Kate and her running group at Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown 2022

Justine, CEO of Bowring Marsh, UK & Ireland will take on her first-ever 10k race at Bidwell’s Cambridge Town & Gown. She said, “In January this year, I started running in Coach Kate’s beginners’ sessions and after 10 weeks successfully ran my first 5k - it was tough.  A few months ago, Kate asked the group if we’d like to run 10k in the Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown. Although I didn’t think I could run 10k, she told me I could, and I should – so I agreed.”

Justine has so far raised hundreds of pounds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which will help fund ground-breaking research and provide life-changing support for people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions. She explained, “Whilst I don’t personally know of anyone living with muscular dystrophy, the opportunity to raise money for such a worthy cause could not be missed.”

Although Justine is feeling nervous about taking on the run after suffering a recent injury, she’s excited to be part of the event. She said, “Kate is an inspirational coach – her ability to motivate a mixed-ability group is truly amazing. Completing Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown will be a massive achievement for me, but supporting the charity far outweighs my personal achievement.”

Kate added, “After working hard to ensure we’re all 10k fit, we’re looking forward to getting everyone together, having an enjoyable run, and getting to experience the fantastic event atmosphere provided by the Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown team at Muscular Dystrophy UK.”

Coach Kate during Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown 2022

The Town and Gown series started in Oxford in 1982 inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy. His father Mike and local runners set up the event as a fun run to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, and still to this day all profits from the events go to the charity.

Collectively, it’s raised more than £3 million and every 10k makes a difference, so please sign up for your place today townandgown10k.com

Avinash Bhogun, Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Town and Gown Series Events Manager said: “We are grateful to Kate, Justine, and the Coach Kate team for choosing to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy UK, which will help us continue supporting and improving the lives of thousands of people living with rare muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

“We wish the team and all our other Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown runners the very best of luck with this challenge – and we’ll be supporting every step of the way.”

The race is a great opportunity for the community in Cambridge and surrounding areas to come together and show their support for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

To support Justine please visit their online fundraising page and donate: www.musculardystrophyuk.org/justine