Make a date to Race for Life

This Valentine's Day (Saturday, February 14) a heartfelt invitation is going out to all women in Exeter urging them to enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Event organisers are asking women to make a date to beat cancer by signing up for Race for Life 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy event at Westpoint Exeter. The event takes place later this year, over the weekend of 25 – 26 July.

Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s Events Manager in Devon, said: “Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to spend time with the people we love. For this reason it’s also the perfect date to enter Race for Life.

“Everyone who takes part in Race for Life, and raises money for life-saving research, will be playing a crucial role in helping more men, women and children survive cancer. They will be giving them the chance to have more time with the people they love and to create more precious memories together.” 

She continued: “Pledging to take part in Race for Life, alongside thousands of like-minded women, is incredibly motivating. The atmosphere on the day is full of emotion. Participants wear signs on their backs declaring their reasons for taking part. Many will be remembering loved ones lost to cancer or celebrating the lives of people dear to them who have survived. 

“And as the cold, dark days of February drag on, knowing that they’ve signed up to Race for Life later in the year could help women of all shapes and sizes feel more inspired to stick to their resolutions to get a little bit fitter in 2015. With fire in their bellies and trainers at the ready, we know that women in Exeter are up for the challenge.”

Race for Life events are non-competitive. Taking part is not about being fit or fast and participants can choose to walk, jog, run or even dance around the course if they prefer.

This year, Race for Life Pretty Muddy will take place for the first time in Exeter. Pretty Muddy is a new women-only, non-competitive 5k obstacle course – with mud. Women can complete the course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around. It’s about women of all ages tackling cancer together and showing cancer who is boss.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to help fund life-saving research.

Last year, 3787 women took part in Race for Life in Exeter and raised a fantastic £200,193. This year, organisers need 6000 women and girls to stride out to help raise £294,000.

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking work but with help from the people of Exeter the charity intends to beat cancer sooner.

85 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West every day*. Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress, however more funds and more supporters are needed to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

To enter Race for Life’s 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events in Devon, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.