Everyone is welcome at the Race for Life in North Wales
PEOPLE across the region are being encouraged to look beyond Lockdown by making a date to join Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Caernarfon and Rhyl.
The charity’s much-loved events are aiming to return to the towns later in the year but with socially distanced measures to help keep participants safe. Anyone who signs up this January can claim a special 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the code JAN2021.
COVID-19 has caused a devastating loss of research funding. Cancer Research UK is predicting a staggering £300 million drop in income over the next three years which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk. That’s why the charity is calling on men, women and children to fight back against the devastating disease by entering a Race for Life event. Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.
Every year around 19,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in Wales* and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.**
The Race for Life events take place at Coed Helen Recreation Ground, Caernarfon on Sunday, May 16, and at Rhyl Arena on Sunday, June 6, and are open to people of all ages and abilities.
Caitlin Holme, Cancer Research UK’s Event Manager for Caernarfon and Rhyl, said: “All 400 mass-participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. So this year, more than ever, we need people to come together and help beat the disease.
“The truth is, COVID-19 has slowed us down. But we will never stop and we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.
“Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. Our Race for Life events are open to all and we’re sending a heart-felt message to everyone to come together in 2021. As always at our events, the health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers is our top priority. It may be that events look a little different this year but we are working proactively with our venues and suppliers to deliver a socially distanced but great experience.”
Participants will set off on the course either alone or in small socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided at all events with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.
Caitlin explained: “Although ‘Race’ features in the name, our events are not competitive. Instead, ‘the Race for Life’ is about our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive.
“We’ll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event. It means that this year people should refrain from hugging others at the finish line. But we promise our events will remain fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting.
“Participants, all united in a common cause to beat cancer, take part at their own pace. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog or a run. But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people across North Wales back.
“We hope that none of our Race for Life events are cancelled in 2021 and will do everything we can to keep people safe. If we do have to cancel any of our events we will let participants know as soon as possible and they will be entitled to a refund.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. This year is the 20th anniversary of Tesco’s partnership with Race for Life.
Money raised through Race for Life events funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Caitlin added: “The Race for Life is a powerful, inspirational movement which unites participants in Caernarfon and Rhyl with people across Wales and the whole of the UK.
“People get together and remember loved ones lost, or celebrate the lives of those who have survived. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with the disease, right now.
“Please go to the Race for Life website, choose an event, and sign up today.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
*Based on the average annual number of new cases of cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C97 excluding C44) diagnosed in Wales between 2015-2017.
Source: These data were extracted from the Public Health England’s Cancer Analysis System, snapshot CAS1902. Accessed 23/09/2020.This work is only possible because of data from the cancer registry, which is routinely collected by the NHS as part of patient care.
** * Based on Ahmad AS, Ormiston-Smith N, Sasieni PD. Trends in the lifetime risk of developing cancer in Great Britain: Comparison of risk for those born in 1930 to 1960(link is external). Br J Cancer 2015;bjc.2014:606.
About Race for Life
• *During January 2021, there is a 30% discount on entry to all Race for Life events including 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids, with code JAN2021.
• During 2021, over 380 Race for Life events will take place around the UK.
• Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.
• This year is the 20th anniversary of Cancer Research UK’s partnership with Tesco.
About Cancer Research UK
• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
• Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
• Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.