brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler – 29th Nov 2026
The brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler is back for a 12th time!
This is a fast, chip-timed, ‘pancake’ flat and definitely PB potential race which takes you around the picturesque local villages of South Cambridgeshire, consisting of 8.5 miles on road and 1.5 miles off road, offering plenty of great views along the way. The race is open to social and club runners aged 16 and over.
With only 450 places, the brainstrust Bass Belle is an intimate race meaning runners can get off the start line quickly, and straight into their pacing without feeling bunched up by crowds. Another great plus for those after a PB! As well as a bespoke medal, there will be category trophies, team trophies, highest fundraiser trophy and cash prizes for beating the course records which stand at 52.02 (Male) and 58.23 (Female).
Sign up today
All proceeds from the brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler help to fund brainstrust’s vital services, which support people diagnosed with a brain tumour and their loved ones. When you run in the brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler, not only are you competing in a fantastic local event, you are also helping to ensure that people diagnosed with a brain tumour have the support they need to live their best life possible. This year there are two ways you can enter the brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler:
Paid entry
All proceeds raised from ticket sales go to brainstrust, these vital funds will help us continue to offer our services to people affected by a brain tumour.
Free fundraiser entry
Get free entry to the race by agreeing to fundraise for brainstrust. The minimum fundraising target is £125. All fundraisers will receive a free brainstrust t-shirt or vest and a fundraising pack. Please note that if your fundraising target isn’t met you will be required to pay an entry fee on the day.
About the brainstrust
Bass Belle 10 miler
This is a chip timed event with all runners receiving their race pack by post prior to the event. Finishers will receive a bespoke medal, water and chocolate goodies. Plus there’s a cake stall, hot food stall and refreshments at the finish line for hungry spectators and runners alike. For those with their eyes on the prize, there are cash prizes for beating the course records (Male 52.02 / Female 58.23), category winner and team trophies up for grabs and, returning for this year, a trophy for the highest fundraiser!
Your help has been monumental to me in working through my thoughts and understanding of the disease. You have helped me gain a perspective on what has happened and to look at things in a new light Thank you so very much for all your time and kindness.
Supporting brainstrust
All proceeds from the brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler go help fund brainstrust vital services supporting people diagnosed with a brain tumour and their loved ones.
In the UK, 79 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every day* It is also the biggest cancer in the under 40’s. For them and their loved ones, the road ahead can feel scary and uncertain. Your generosity helps ensure that brainstrust can be here to provide the tools, guidance, and support they need for a brighter tomorrow. *On average, 79 people hear the words “you have a brain tumour” each day: 44 with metastatic and 35 with primary diagnoses. Brainstrust provide counselling, mentoring, coaching, support and resources to those with a brain tumour so they can live the best life possible and not feel alone or scared.
Race history
In 2014, Ash Hawkins set up Fit4thechallenge to support charities after knee surgery left him unable to run as much as before. Running events had been Ash’s primary way of fundraising, so organising races seemed like the natural next step. In 2023 Fit4thechallenge stopped operating, and Ash joined the brainstrust team as Fundraising events manager bringing with him his fantastic Fit4thechallenge event.
We are both personal and positive, with a focus on reality and honesty.
The charity choice for me was an easy one. My dad died from a brain tumour just before Christmas in 2013 after a 3-year battle. During his treatment and recovery, we as a family felt very isolated and uninformed about my dad’s condition and the support that was available. brainstrust provide this support and so I chose to support them so that other families wouldn’t feel as lost and isolated as we did. Fit4thechallnege allowed me to raise awareness of the charity and raise funds for them.
The brainstrust Bass Belle has always been open to runners of all abilities. The race is open to runners aged 16 and over with no upper age limit –there have been many runners in their 80s taking part! We have had people run with their dogs, with buggies and even with a guide! The races have attracted runners from across the UK, from Dundee in Scotland to Winchester in Hampshire and from overseas including Spain and America.
As well as supporting brainstrust, the brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler has always been a community event. The race was set up to enable local community groups to fundraise and finally to encourage more people to take up running for their health and wellbeing.
Race information
With thanks to our sponsors
