Alphabetically round the Colleges

28 Feb 2026

My legs are recovering as I write: yesterday with some chums I ran nearly a marathon on a geeky stop-start route around the Colleges of Cambridge.

Turns out the rules of the alphabet really matter after 30km of pavement and after Robinson College, it’s much more appealing to follow the University’s order, putting “St Catharine’s” after “Sidney Sussex” because it allows a lovely St John’s, Trinity, Trinity Hall hattrick towards the end.

Highlights were scoffing Chelsea buns in Fitzbillies and some nifty shortcuts on the way, including a scenic car park cut-through to get to Hughes Hall. Glad that the straight line from Girton to Homerton was not significantly lengthened diverted by a visit to Gonville & Caius on the way.

Alphabet of Colleges on Garmin Connect

Tags: geeky, cambridge, running, sport