On your marks: Downing's new running and athletics club takes off
A new Running and Athletics Club is helping Downing students discover the benefits of sport, forge friendships and represent the College in competition, with ambitious plans to grow participation in the year ahead.
Founded by Natural Sciences (Physics) student Sol Inglis (2024), the club was established to bring together runners and athletes of all abilities while strengthening Downing's presence in College and university competitions.
An active member of the University Athletics Club (CUAC), Sol was inspired to establish a dedicated Downing club after seeing growing interest in athletics among Downing students.
"I've loved being part of CUAC and wanted to encourage more people from Downing to get involved," Sol explains.
"We also had a fantastic year, with four Downing students representing the university in the Varsity Match and many more interested in competing, so it felt like the right time to get something started."
Although launched only midway through the last academic year, the club has already grown beyond its original core of university athletes. It now supports students competing across a wide range of running and athletics events while welcoming newcomers to the sport.
Members have already competed in events including the CUHH Boundary Run, the Cambridge Half Marathon, the Cambridgeshire County Championships, Athletics Varsity, Indoor Varsity and the Cross-Country Mob Match.
The club also hopes to increase participation in College competitions, particularly Cuppers events, where larger teams can have a significant impact on overall results.
One of the club's key aims is to provide a clear pathway for students who want to become more involved in athletics or distance running by signposting opportunities with the CUAC and Cambridge University Hare and Hounds (CUHH).
Through the Active Students programme, the College has helped fund competition entry fees, equipment and new Downing running vests. Support is also enabling the club to build a supply of specialist running spikes for track and cross-country events, making the sport more accessible to students.
Looking ahead, Sol hopes to see even more Downing students representing the College in competition.
"The number of people competing has an enormous effect on how well you can do as a club," says Sol. "We've achieved some great results over the last few years with relatively small numbers, so we're excited to see what we can achieve with a bigger team."
For Sol, the benefits of running extend far beyond competition.
"As well as being a great sport, running and athletics are a brilliant way to meet new people. You're not confined to one team, so you get to know lots of people both in and out of College. It's also a great outlet for stress and really helps me focus."
His message to students considering giving the sport a go is simple: don't be intimidated.
"Running and athletics strike the perfect balance between fun and competition. It's a very supportive environment where everyone wants each other to improve, and it's incredibly beginner friendly. All you really need to get started is a pair of trainers."
As the club prepares for the new academic year, it hopes to welcome students of all abilities and continue building a thriving running community at Downing, both on the track and beyond.
Published 22 July 2026