The University of Cambridge is an institution full of extraordinary opportunities. Recently I had the pleasure to speak to Jess Poon, Archie Harper and Jack Lipman – three University level runners – all of whom reaped the benefits of a recent Cambridge and Oxford Athletics trip to Tokyo, Japan. Organised by the Achilles Club – the alumni organisation for Cambridge and Oxford Athletics – September’s flights to the Land of the Rising Sun marked yet another exciting global opportunity in our University’s sporting calendar.

Unlike many other UK universities, Cambridge’s extensive alumni connections and generous financial support for travel enable the University’s prized Athletics Club to frequently enjoy races around the world. The marquee event is undoubtedly the Transatlantic Series, a tour where Oxbridge athletes race against those from institutions such as Harvard and Yale. Predating the Modern Olympics, this tour runs on a four-year cycle, with Oxbridge’s best athletes set to jet off to the States in 2025 to compete.

It had been 25 years since the Achilles club had journeyed to Japan, however. So after a long-haul 14 hour flight (largely paid for by the club), our athletes stepped out into a foreign country to compete, an unfamiliar experience for many. The trip would combine both sport and cultural exploration, with the match day surrounded by opportunities to explore the wonders of Japan and its natural beauty. Archie and Jack managed to have enough legs left to climb Mt. Fuji after race day, whilst all athletes that I spoke to remarked on the delicious and affordable Japanese cuisine they sampled – with an authentic Katsu Curry being club captain Jess’ favourite.

Due to its status as a friendly meet, the athletes were encouraged to explore the city in the days before the race, as nobody was expecting to put up a Personal Best in the competition. Times were certainly not helped by a perfect storm of unfamiliar heat, humidity and jet lag, so the fact that the joint Oxbridge teams came away with victory on both the men’s and women’s sides was a fantastic achievement. The athletes recounted that whilst the men’s side was in a tight battle against the Four Wings (the opposing club representing the four competing Japanese Universities), the women’s side dominated proceedings from the jump.

I was curious to find out whether our athletes noticed anything different competing against those who ply their trade continents away. Over the 400m, it became clear that the Japanese athletes were by and large more consistent and measured in their approach, as whilst the Achilles runners might have shot out of the blocks faster, the Four Wings competitors tended to run a refined and controlled race, gaining ground by the finish. This attention to detail carried over to the relays, where Jack informed me of Japan’s national prowess when it comes to the baton race. Consistently punching above their weight when it comes to the 4×100m on a global stage, Japan’s penchant for well-drilled, team-oriented runners was apparent to see when it came to the relay event, as it became obvious that the sum was capable of being greater than the parts in the Japanese approach.

Whilst the language barrier may have carried some difficulties, athletic respect does not need translation so kit swapping was a necessity after the races. Despite the visiting team’s triumph, the Four Wings club were clearly exceptional hosts, as they hosted the Oxbridge Athletes at a reception after the races. Each Achilles athlete graciously received a gift with their name engraved in Japanese characters, and alongside the abundance of sushi and drinks, the Four Wings club performed a carefully conducted performance of a traditional Japanese song. Whilst the Achilles Club’s ensuing rendition of Jerusalem may not have been quite as precise, sung by athletes frantically double-checking the lyrics on their phones, it certainly contributed to what was a very amicable affair.

These kinds of opportunities – competing across the globe in sports you love – are the things that young athletes dream about. Cambridge is incredibly lucky to have such a high-quality Athletics club, yet also one whereby genuinely anybody can join. The athletes that I spoke with could not stress this enough. The club is designed to be accessible even for those who have never participated in the sport before, affording students the chance to try out events they may never have had the opportunity to attempt before, and allowing them to mingle with some of Cambridge’s top student athletes in the process. Jess excitedly explained the story of a former athlete who had joined the club for the social side and without any athletic experience – yet got hooked and ended up earning her Blue in the High Jump.

This trip was certainly a reminder to me that during our time at university, we need to take these chances by the scruff of the neck and make the absolute most of our fleeting years at University. Competing in Athletics may not necessarily be your priority, but here’s a date for your diary – 17th May 2025 will mark the anniversary of Varsity Athletics Matches. Cambridge will play host to the 150th Men’s, 50th Women’s, and 2nd Para Varsity Athletics matches, all just a walk down the road at our fabulous Wilberforce Road sports ground.

Tokyo is clearly a memorable place to compete. But where would be our athlete’s dream destinations to race? Archie spoke of the Beijing National Stadium from the 2008 Olympics and its bird nest design, synonymous with Usain Bolt and his record-breaking Games. Jack even claimed that running at the Stadio dei Marmi would shave two seconds off of his PB, due to the marble statues watching over the track. Perhaps the coolest was Jess’ love for the Monaco Athletics stadium – given that she had in fact already visited when the Athletics club took a trip to watch the Diamond League. There are so many unforgettable opportunities out there at Cambridge just waiting for you. Get moving!