Shropshire women are being urged to get the New Year off to a great start by signing up now to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2016.
The charity is calling on women of all shapes and sizes to show cancer who’s boss by choosing one of their events – Race for Life 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy – and committing to take part at Telford Town Park, The Quarry, Shrewsbury or Weston Park.
Although many see January as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in terms of health and fitness, motivation can slip as the cold weather drags on.
That’s where Race for Life comes in. The 5k and 10k events in Telford take place on Sunday, May 22, the 5k event in Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, June 15, and Pretty Muddy at Weston Park will take place on Saturday, April 30. So women who sign up now will be creating their own compelling goal to aim for later in the year, when the warmer weather makes staying on the sofa less tempting.
Emily Thompson, Cancer Research UK’s Shropshire Event Manager, said: “Signing up to take part in Race for Life is a great way for women of all ages to commit to get a little more active.
“Race for Life events are non-competitive. Taking part is not about being fit or fast and participants can choose to walk, jog, or run around the course. The atmosphere is incredibly supportive.
“Pledging to take part, alongside thousands of like minded women, can be a great incentive to get fitter. Planning to raise money for life-saving research could prove more of a goal to get up and get moving than the usual New Year’s resolution to shift the post-Christmas pounds.”
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and marathon events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner.
Emily continued: “We’re delighted to be able to bring Pretty Muddy back to Weston Park as it’s a fantastic addition to our Race for Life family of events. It has all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5k and 10k events but with added obstacles and, of course, mud. Plus, Weston Park is still the country’s only venue to host a 10k Pretty Muddy event.
“Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around. It’s about women of all ages, shapes and sizes tackling obstacles together.”
Last year, 5,193 women took part in Race for Life across Shropshire and raised a fantastic £308,421. This year, organisers hope to see the same level of support from local ladies.
Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across England.
Emily continued: “We’re calling on the brave ladies of Shropshire to harness their fighting spirit once more and really show cancer whose boss.
“Race for Life is an amazing way to celebrate everyone we love who has survived cancer. It’s also an emotional and moving way to pay tribute to those dear to us whose lives have been cut short by the disease.
“Our participants make Race for Life a truly uplifting, inspiring experience. That’s why we’re calling on women of all ages to sign up now to their, shoulder to shoulder, on the front line against cancer. Together, we can unleash a powerful fighting spirit to stop cancer in its tracks.”
Women who sign up for 5k and 10k events in January can benefit from a specially reduced fee of £10.00.
To enter Race for Life today visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.