GALLERY: Cambridge 10k raises £175,000 for charity

Thousands of runners took part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k today, Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK and helping make the sold out event the biggest in its 15 year history.

More than 4,500 people signed up for the Cambridge event, including 100 children taking part in the junior 3k.

Runners are on track to collectively raise £175,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

The race was officially started by the Johnston sisters, including Coady, 29, from Bishop’s Stortford, East Hertfordshire, and her younger sisters Frankie, 23, and Cerys, 17, who travelled from Fife, Scotland, to open the races.

Frankie was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy at the age of 12. The genetic condition causes progressive muscle weakness, fatigue and other symptoms that can make everyday tasks harder.

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Myotonic dystrophy can affect grip, mobility, vision, heart rhythm and energy levels. Earlier this year, Cerys was diagnosed with the same condition, with the condition affecting both sisters in different ways.

Coady and Cerys completed the 10k course together alongside the other runners.

Thousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’DonovanThousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’DonovanThousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’DonovanThousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’DonovanThousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’DonovanThousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’Donovan

Coady said: “It was an honour to start this year’s event together with my sisters and then join the runners to complete the course, for a cause that’s so important to us.

“We know the impact of living with a muscle wasting condition every day. To see the whole of Cambridge coming together to support Muscular Dystrophy UK was a special moment and one we’ll never forget.”

Thousands of runners take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k on Sunday 4 October, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Credit: Muscular Dystrophy UK / Chris O’Donovan

The first 10k runner across the finish line was Chris Darling from Cambridge and Coleridge AC, who recorded a chip time of 31:47.

The fastest female runner was Emma Hodson from Cambridge University Hare and Hound, with a chip time of 36:09.

Jessie Keighley, Events Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, thanked runners, supporters, volunteers and sponsors for helping make the 15th Bidwells Cambridge 10k a success.

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