Parkruns in and around Cambridge

parkrun is a free weekly 5k event for walkers, joggers and runners, organised by volunteers. Register once before the first visit and bring a scannable copy of the barcode, because a runner without one gets no time. Every event below starts at 9:00am on Saturday, apart from the Sunday junior event at Coldham's Common.

In the city

Coldham's Common

The Coldham's Common parkrun takes place on Coldham's Common, starting near the Abbey Leisure Complex off Whitehill Road. The 5k course is two laps entirely on flat grass around the edge of the playing fields, linked between two areas by a 5-bar gate. Mud and puddles can build up after rain. One dog is welcome on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead, a dog cannot run alongside a pushchair, and buggies are welcome. The start is a 33-minute walk from Cambridge station and a 40-minute walk from Cambridge North, and the Citi 3 bus stops on Stanesfield Road, five minutes from the start. Car parking at the Abbey Leisure Complex is very limited, and there is bike parking near the start. Runners get coffee afterwards from the refreshment van.

The Coldham's Common junior parkrun is a 2k event for ages 4 to 14, held on Sundays at 9:00am. The course is two laps on playing fields with one small slope, and a marshal keeps every junior in sight. The Citi 3 bus stop on Stanesfield Road is five minutes from the start.

Brook Leys

The Brook Leys parkrun starts at Brook Leys Lake, off Pheasant Drive and Turing Way in Eddington. Each of the two laps loops the lake and follows a path out and back, with a third lake loop to the finish, all on gravel and permanent paths. Runners keep right on the paths and left around the lake. One dog is welcome on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead, and buggies are welcome. The U Bus from outside Cambridge station takes about 20 minutes to the stop on Eddington Avenue, then it is about 10 minutes on foot. Free parking is at the Madingley Road Park & Ride, also about 10 minutes from the start, and parking on residential roads is not allowed. Runners have coffee afterwards at one of the local cafes.

Milton Country Park

The Milton Country parkrun is held in Milton Country Park, starting near the war memorial. The course is two and a half laps on mud or compressed stone paths, which get very muddy in winter. In the wooded areas the surface has dips and tree roots, and some stretches are narrow, so runners with buggies ask others to be patient about overtaking. Dogs are not allowed except assistance dogs, and buggies are welcome. Children under eleven stay within arm's reach of an adult throughout. The nearest station is Cambridge North, about 1.2 miles away over the Jane Coston foot and cycle bridge, and the number 2 bus runs to Milton from Addenbrooke's through central Cambridge. There is ample parking, which may fill up, so arriving early helps. Runners have coffee afterwards at Grounds Café in the park.

A short trip out

Fulbourn Hospital

The Fulbourn Hospital parkrun takes place in the hospital grounds in Fulbourn. The course is four laps, mostly on grass, with short stretches of concrete path at the start and end of each lap and a short stretch of tarmac road about halfway round. The ground rises and falls steadily on each lap and is described as gently undulating. The final lap runs past the start to finish outside the Resource Centre. Dogs are not allowed except assistance dogs. Runners have coffee afterwards at the Edge cafe on site, close to the finish.

Wimpole Estate

The Wimpole Estate parkrun is held at Wimpole Estate at Arrington, with the start in front of the main Hall by the stable block. The 5k course is out and back on paths, grass and woodland trail. The grass is uneven in places, and trail shoes are recommended. Dogs and buggies are welcome. Parking costs £2 and is free to National Trust members, and no public transport serves the event. Toilets are at the Hardwicke Gate Visitors' Centre by the car park. Runners have coffee afterwards in the Old Rectory Restaurant.

Frank's Farm

The Frank's Farm parkrun takes place at Frank's Farm on Brockley Road, Elsworth. The course is one anti-clockwise lap with an extra out-and-back spur in the middle, on concrete and gravel farm tracks and trail paths. The start is on the public footpath west of the main car park. No bus routes run on Saturday mornings. Toilets and cycle parking are on site. Runners have coffee afterwards at Frank's Cafe and Bistro.

Bug Hunter Waters

The Bug Hunter Waters parkrun is held at the Bug Hunter Waters waterpark in Northstowe. The course is two clockwise laps around the perimeter of the waterpark on tarmac and compacted gravel paths. It is flat apart from a couple of gentle slopes, and wheelchair users and buggies can use it fully. Dogs are welcome. There are no toilets near the start or finish. Runners have coffee afterwards at Northstowe Tap and Social.

More running

The running guide covers the riverside greens and commons.