college league race descriptions

Men's Distance: 5.2km
Last year's men's times: 16:18-32:05

Women's Distance: 2.8km
Last year's women's times: 10:01-17:12

Both men's and women's races start from the athletics track at Wilberforce Road. All runners head along Wilberforce Road before turning left along Madingley Road, then turning left to go through the Cavendish site, then turning left along the cycle track which takes them back to Wilberforce Road. The men complete two of these laps whereas women complete just one.

This run usually attracts all standards of runners and is brilliant for anyone considering doing cross country. The race has no hills and is all on tarmac.

Men's Distance: 6km
Last year's men's times: 18:33-28:02

Women's Distance: 3km
Last year's women's times: 10:47-20:33

The race starts from Granchester Meadows. This is a piece of land between Cambridge and Granchester. Men complete two laps of the course, women complete one. Each lap is half on grass and half on path (but there is grass at side of the path). The course is flat. On one half of the lap you follow the cycle path through the fields; on the other half you follow a track alongside the river.

Men's Distance: 10.43km
Last year's men's times: 33:33-60:22

Women's Distance: 6.55km
Last year's women's times: 23:51-39:30

This is the selection race for the 2nds-5ths and the Blues Varsity Match. It is a stand-alone college championship race and does not contribute to the College League. The course is at Wandlebury, which is about 5 miles from Cambridge, so there is a coach to take all the runners there. Women complete 2 laps of the course, men complete 3 laps plus a dog leg on the first lap. The race is all on tracks (except for a tiny bit through a car park) and the course can get quite muddy if there has been rain recently. This is by far the most hilly course in the college league. There is a small hill to climb at the start of the race and then another hill at the end of each lap. There are toilets nearby and the bushes must not be used as otherwise the club may be stopped from using the venue in future years.

Men's Distance: 8.5km
Last year's men's times: 27:43-38:23

Women's Distance: 5.6km
Last year's women's times: 21:50-34:41

The Fen Ditton Dash, running (logically enough) through Fen Ditton, over the Railway Bridge, and back by the river path, provides some of the year’s most diverse terrain, and has also been known to involve some exciting weather (horizontal blizzards, anyone?). Battle through it all, and you can earn precious league points for your college and the satisfaction of knowing you conquered the some of toughest Cambridge has to offer.

If that weren’t enough, Fen Ditton also serves as a selection match for BUSA, as runners not pre-selected through Blues status can compete for a spot on the A team. But above all else, the Dash is an opportunity to get in some beautifully pungent XC racing and start off Lent term with an exhilarating kick.

Men's Distance: 4 x 3km
Last year's men's times (per leg): 9:21 - 14:31

Women's Distance: 3 x 3km
Last year's women's times (per leg): 11:11 - 16:33

The race is flat, short, and offers plenty of oppurtunities for speed, including a dazzling sprint finish down the home straight. The route meanders round the playgrounds and tennis courts of Coe Fen, with the odd wobbly footbridge thrown in for good measure. The relay elements adds to the excitement, as handoffs at the finish line ensure college league rivalries make a prominent appearance, and the quick course and convenient location makes it possible for everyone to get involved.

Men's Distance: 4 x 4km
Last year's men's times: 12:47:-20:32

Women's Distance: 3x 4km
Last year's women's times: 15:35-24:18

The final college league race, the Selwyn Relays (4 legs men, 3 legs women) provide an exciting and enjoyable conclusion to CUHH's inter-collegiate competition. The flat, fast 4k starts at Wilberforce Road Track and heads the Cavendish Labs and Wilberforce Road track, demanding a balance of speed, tenacity, and endurance. The standings of the relays frequently decide college and individual championships in the College League, adding a bit of extra motivation over the final sprint.

The meet is followed by the presentation of College League awards and the consumption of delicious cake in the Wilberforce complex, the announcement of final league standings, and most importantly a celebration of a terrific year of intercollegiate competition. The Selwyn Relays epitomize the spirit of CUHH—friendly but robust rivalries, a love of running, and a true sense of camaraderie.