“So beautiful to see so many people here for the biggest ever Great Eastern Run.” When MC Paul Stainton said that from the main stage in Peterborough on Sunday, he was being interpreted into British Sign Language as he spoke.
Cambridgeshire Deaf Association was at the AEPG Great Eastern Run on Sunday 11 October 2026 with four #TeamCDA runners, our gazebo in the event village, and British Sign Language (BSL) on the main stage.
BSL on the main stage
Kirsty Dorkenoo volunteered her time to interpret on the main stage, working alongside MC Paul Stainton. She signed the announcements, the thank yous to sponsors and Peterborough City Council, and the winner’s interview straight after the race.
Big events like this run almost entirely on the PA system. Start times, safety messages, results and interviews all come through a speaker, and a deaf runner or spectator usually only finds out what was said later, if at all. Having Kirsty on stage meant deaf people in the crowd could follow the morning as it happened, at the same time as everybody else.
Thank you, Kirsty. Giving up a Sunday to stand on a stage and interpret is a big ask, and it made a real difference.
“Thank you so much for everything you do for deaf people in this city”
Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council, stopped to talk to us in the event village, with Kirsty interpreting.
“Today the Great Eastern Run has brought 8,000 runners together, and I’m so pleased that Cambridgeshire Deaf Association has taken part. Collaboratively, all of the runners have raised over £600,000. That’s more than half a million pounds for charity. And what is amazing about today is that everybody has come together. They are here today as one people. I love this city. Thank you so much for everything you do for deaf people in this city.”
Cllr Dr Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council
Four runners, four finishes
All four #TeamCDA runners made it round the 13.1 mile course and over the line on The Embankment, each with their own reason for running for us.
Jessica Starrs finished in 2 hours 7 minutes. Both of her grandparents were born deaf, so she has always been around the deaf community. “It’s really, really important to spread awareness,” she told us at the finish. “It’s always tough, but I gave it the best effort.” She is already talking about the London Marathon.
Ross Penman had already run the Great North Run three weeks earlier, and wanted to do this one with his daughter too. Members of his family have learnt sign language. “Not all disabilities are visible,” he said, “so I’m just trying to make some awareness for everyone.” He hurt one calf, then the other at around mile 11, walked for a while, then sprinted the last stretch. “My competitive nature kicked in near the end.”
Daniel Boer ran with a teammate who nearly did not start at all. She was a last minute entry, and was then stung by a wasp just before the race. “I thought I’d have an excuse not to run,” she said. “But I didn’t, I had to run it.” Daniel already has next year in mind: “But then next year, we go again.”
Every pound our runners raise goes into the CDA Sports Club, which runs deaf boxing, walking football, children’s football, pickleball and the Cambs Hammers deaf football teams. These are sessions where deaf people can turn up, join in and be understood.
Andrew Palmer, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, said:
“It was brilliant to have BSL on the main stage this year. Kirsty gave up her Sunday so deaf people could follow what was going on, and that is what Cambridgeshire Deaf Association is about, making sure deaf people are not left out of the big moments in their own city. I’m so proud of our four runners, and a big thank you to Shabina for taking the time to come and talk to us. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Run with us in 2027
Places for next year’s Great Eastern Run are open now. Every #TeamCDA runner gets a free race place, a free beginner’s British Sign Language session for themselves and a guest, a #TeamCDA running top, a training plan and support from our team all the way to race day. You do not need to be an experienced runner.
Fancy something bigger? We also have one place in the TCS London Marathon 2027, with applications open until 30 November 2026.
Thank you to all four of our runners, to Kirsty, to everyone who stopped by the gazebo to learn their first signs, and to everyone who sponsored #TeamCDA. And if you know someone who has always said they might do a half marathon one day, please send them this.
