
The Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon 2018 is taking place on Sunday 4th March and it promises to be one of the biggest ever.
With 9,000 participants signed up and thousands more spectators expected to cheer the runners on, it promises to be a brilliant day in and around Cambridge.
Whether you're taking part yourself, turning up to give encouragement, or just want to avoid the road closures, we have all the information you need below.
Travel information
Snow
With cold temperatures and snow affecting the country this week, runners are being asked to keep up-to-date with event information through social media channels and the race website.
They should also read any emails from the race when they receive them. The weather situation is being very closely monitored each day and OSB Events are taking every precaution to ensure runners’ safety ahead of the city’s seventh annual half marathon.
Runners should take normal precautions for running in wintery conditions and dress appropriately.
Thousands of spectators are also expected to turn out to support this popular spring race and they too are advised to wrap up warmly, bring along any extra layers and be fully prepared for the weather conditions.
All those planning to come to the event should keep an eye on travel reports and may need to allow extra time for their journey.
Parking
All car parks will remain open throughout the day of the event, except for a short period of time (09:15 – 10:00) where access to Grafton West Car Park will be restricted.
There will be a number of parking bay restrictions around the route, these will be marked with either advanced warning signage and / or cones. Please pay particular attention to the restrictions on Barton Road, parking in the restricted areas causes moving vehicles to cross into the racing line, endangering the runners.
Buses
All bus services will continue to run on the day of the event, however the stops on Trumpington Street & Downing Street will be suspended up until 13:00, with an alternative stop in place on Emmanuel Street.
Road Closures
Roads | From which junctions/roundabouts | Direction of closure | Times | ||||
Victoria Avenue | Chesterton Road - Maids Causeway | Both | 04:00 - 16:00 | ||||
Maids Causeway / Newmarket Rd | Victoria Avenue - Elizabeth Way | Both | 09:15 - 10:00 | ||||
Maids Causeway / Newmarket Rd | Victoria Avenue - Elizabeth Way | Eastbound | 09:15 - 13:00 | ||||
Elizabeth Way | Newmarket Road - Chesterton Road | Bus Lane Only | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
Chesterton Road | Elizabeth Way - Magdalene Road | Westbound Only | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
Magdalene Road / Bridge Street | Chesterton Road - Round Church | Both | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
Sidney Street / Market Hill / King's Parade | Round Church Trumpington Street | Both | 04:00 - 11:00 | ||||
Trumpington Street | King's Parade - The Fen Causeway | Both | 08:30 - 12:30 | ||||
Trumpington Road | The Fen Causeway - Church Lane (Trumpington) | Southbound Only | 08:00 - 12:00 | ||||
Church Lane / Grantchester Road / Mill Way / High Street / Coton Road | Trumpington Road - Barton Road | Both | 09:00 - 11:30 | ||||
Barton Road | Coton Road - The Fen Causeway | Westbound Only | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
The Fen Causeway | Newnham Road - Trumpington Road | Both | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
Silver Street | Trumpington Street - Queen's Road | Both | 08:30 - 12:30 | ||||
Newnham Road / Queen's Road | The Fen Causeway - Garret Hostel Lane | Southbound Only | 06:00 - 13:00 | ||||
Garret Hostel Lane / St Trinity Lane / Trinity Street / John's Street | Queen's Road - Round Church | Both | 04:00 - 15:00 |
Diversions
Full diversion signage will be in place around the City Centre and on the inner/outer ring roads. Please ensure you follow the signage.
Download a copy of the road closures document here.
Access & Egress to Park Street Car ParkBetween 09:15 – 10:00 the only permitted access will be from East Road turning onto Parkside, straight onto Parker Street, left turn onto Emmanuel Street, After 10:00 normal access via Maids Causeway, Jesus Lane, Park Street will be available throughout the remainder of the day. There will be restricted egress from the Car Park between 09:15 – 10:00, however egress throughout the remainder of the day will be unaffected. |
Access & Egress to / from properties around Park Street / Thompson Lane AreaThere will be no access/egress via Magdalene/Bridge Street between 06:00 – 13:00. As in previous years, vehicles will be able to access/egress the area via Lower Park Street, |
Access & Egress to/from properties around Maids Causeway / Newmarket RoadThere will be a short period of time (09:15 – 10:00) when Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road is closed in both directions to allow the 4,500 runners to safely head out along Victoria Avenue onto Maids Causeway and up over Elizabeth Way. Between 10:00 – 13:00 Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road will revert back to being closed in an eastbound direction only, from the Victoria Avenue roundabout to the Elizabeth Way roundabout. Only vehicles travelling from the All properties North of Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road i.e. Parsonage Street are inside the event route, up until 09:15 vehicles will be able to exit freely onto Maids Causeway – turning right only. After the period of no vehicle movement All properties South of Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road i.e. Fair Street are outside the event route, therefore they will be permitted to turn (left only) freely onto Maids Causeway throughout the day, apart from between 09:15 – 10:00. |
Access & Egress from De FrevilleChesterton Road which will be closed westbound between Elizabeth Way Roundabout and Magdalene Street junction. Therefore only vehicles travelling from the Madingley Road/ Northampton Street direction will be able to access Chesterton Road. Those travelling from Elizabeth Way or Milton Road will be diverted onto the Milton Road around the All properties South of Chesterton Road i.e. De Freville Avenue are inside the event route, up until 08:30 vehicles will be able to exit freely onto Chesterton Road – turning right only. From 08:30 – 13:00 each of the junctions will be ‘manned’ egress from these properties will still be permitted but under the control of the steward (basically when the road is clear of runners), again right turns only. All properties North of Chesterton Road i.e. George Street are outside the event route, therefore they will be permitted to freely turn (left only) onto Chesterton Road throughout the day. |
Access & Egress to the City Centre from the SouthThere will be some fairly major changes for those looking to access/egress the City from/to the South of the City. Between 09:00 – 11:30 Trumpington Road will only be open in a North (inbound) direction, as the runners will be on the normal inbound carriageway, vehicles will be switched onto the right hand side of the road (normal outbound As The Fen Causeway will be closed in both directions between 08:30 – 12:15 anyone travelling into the City via the Barton Road will be diverted onto Queen’s Road and around the ring road, it is highly recommended that those wishing Hills Roads will be unaffected in either direction. |
Access & Egress in Trumpington / GrantchesterTo safely allow the runners to pass through both Trumpington and Grantchester the roads will be closed in both directions from 09:00 – 11:30, between Trumpington Road/Church Lane (Trumpington) & the Barton Road roundabout If you are looking to leave Trumpington, it is advisable to do so prior to 09:00. If this is not possible those looking to exit the area should leave their vehicle on Maris Lane before 09:00, from where egress would be permitted (the normal If you are looking to leave Grantchester, it is advisable to do so prior to 09:00. If this is not possible those looking to exit the area should leave their vehicle on Broadway before 09:00, from where egress would be permitted onto Barton |
The Route
Download your copy of the route here.
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