Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK and is Cancer Research UK’s flagship event. Since 1994, thousands of women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at these inspiring events to walk, jog or run 5k to help beat cancer. So far, an incredible 4.7 million women have raised over £370 million to fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
It is a wonderful event and for the second year running my two daughters have taken part with me. Last year our local event took place at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. This year the venue was moved to Fontwell Race Course, in order to accommodate the ever increasing number of women who want to take part, which resulted in an amazing 2500 runners, joggers and walkers lining up on the start line!
The first thing that greets you at a Race for Life event is a sea of pink! Everywhere you look girls and women of all ages are dressed in pink t-shirts, pink leggings, pink tutus and pink hats. In fact, if you want to stand out from the crowd, so your family or supporters can spot you, you’ll need to wear yellow, green, and blue – anything but pink! But being part of the crowd, a member of the army of women who are fighting cancer and raising funds to beat it is the whole point of Race for Life. So standing in solidarity and donning fairy wings and a pink tutu is the order of the day; my daughters wouldn’t have let me get away with anything less!
Prior to the race all entrants are sent a race number along with a blank sign to complete and wear on their back. Participants then fill in the sign with details of the person/people they are running the race for. Reading these dedications is incredibly moving and it quickly becomes apparent how many peoples lives are blighted by cancer. Some are running in memory of a loved one who has sadly lost their battle, others are celebrating survival and many are simply supporting those who are affected. Whatever their reasons everyone is ready to have a good time and make it round the course as best they can, whether it be running, jogging walking or a bit of everything!
As well as raising much need funds for Cancer Research the event promotes and encourages women of all ages to be active. It is particularly unique in that girls are allowed to run with their mothers (most large races are for adults only). My daughters have enjoyed taking part in Race for Life, two years running, and now view it as a regular and welcome fixture on our annual calendar. It’s worth reinforcing that whilst the event is called “Race for Life” it isn’t a race – there are no winners and losers and the event isn’t timed. So if you’ve never taken part in a race event, and want a good place to start, be sure to sign up for next years Race for Life. You’ll have a fabulous day, help raise funds for a very worthy charity and have a very good reason to wear a fairy costume regardless of how old you are!
