Dates announced for Race For Life events to return to Wigan and Leigh

Last year’s 5km events at Haigh Woodland Park and Pennington Flash - along with many other fund-raisers around the country - were cancelled due to the pandemic.

But the much-loved series is coming back to raise vital funds for life-saving research, as the charity predicts a staggering £300m drop in income over the next three years due to the pandemic, which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk.

The Race For Life events will take place at Haigh Woodland Park on Wednesday, May 19 and at Pennington Flash on Sunday, May 30.

They are open to men, women and children, with a 30 per cent discount off the entry fee using the code JAN2021 for anyone who signs up this month.

Stephen Owen, Cancer Research UK’s event manager for Wigan and Leigh, 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 heartfelt 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 be provided, with people encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Stephen said: “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 Wigan and Leigh 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 is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year.

Money raised 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. To enter, visit raceforlife.org.

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