Cogwheel Counselling is thrilled to once again be organising it’s end of year Running Festival for all ages! Canter Running Festival takes place on the morning of New Year’s Eve at Girton Recreation Ground, CB3 0FH.

All proceeds will go to Cogwheel Counselling, supporting the charity’s mission to provide affordable mental health counselling for individuals of all ages in Cambridgeshire.

The first Cogwheel Canter Running Festival was held in 2019 on Jesus Green, Cambridge, before moving to Girton in 2022.

Suitable for all age groups and with all runs off road, this is a perfect event to get all the family involved. Runners can choose from 5k and 10k races, a 2k fun run, a 500m run and a 200m toddler mini-run.

Online registration for the 5k and 10k races is open here. There will also be registration available on the day for all runs from 9.15am

Date: Wednesday 31 December 2025, start 10.00am

Start location: Girton Recreation Ground, CB3 0FH

Run timings

10.00am – 200m Toddler Mini Sprint (under 5s only)

10.10am – 500m mini run

10.20am – Cogwheel 2k Canter (all ages, under 9s must be accompanied by an adult)

10.50am – Cogwheel 10k Canter (over 13s only)

10.55am – Cogwheel 5k Canter (all ages, under 10s must be accompanied by an adult)

Age groups

Trophies will be awarded to the first female and first male in each run, plus first places in the following age categories:

• Cogwheel 2k Canter – male & female U11, U40, O40
• Cogwheel 5k Canter – male & female U18, U40, O40
• Cogwheel 10k Canter – male & female U18, U40, U60, O60

Race entry fee

Cogwheel 10k Canter: £16 online, £19 on the day (all runners will receive a medal)

Cogwheel 5k Canter: £11 online, £14 on the day (all runners will receive a medal)

Cogwheel 2K Canter: £6 on the day (runners aged 12 & under will receive a medal)

Cogwheel 500m mini fun £4 on the day (runners aged 12 & under will receive a medal)

200m Toddler Mini Sprint: £3, registration from 9.15am on the day (all entrants will receive a medal)

Online registration closing date for Cogwheel 5k & 10k runs: Midnight Sunday 28^th December.

All online payments are made via Stripe, Google Pay and Apple Pay, These are the safest payment gateway, allowing for secure payment without compromise.

If the event cannot take place on Wednesday 31^st December a reserve date of Sunday 29^th March 2026 has been arranged.

Sponsorship

If you would like to obtain sponsorship for your participation in the Cogwheel Canter Running Festival, you can set up a fundraiser linked to the event on JustGiving. Do contact us if you need any help getting this set up.

Cogwheel Counselling is grateful to Girton Parish Council for the use of Girton Recreation Ground for the event. Thank you also to our sponsors:

Cambridge Half Marathon places

Cogwheel Counselling has some places available at the Cambridge Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday 8th March 2026. Places are offered for free, we just ask that runners commit to obtaining a minimum of £250 in sponsorship in return. Full details here.