PEOPLE are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life as the clock ticks down until the big day at Haydock Park Racecourse.

The charity’s events are returning to the venue but with socially distanced measures to keep participants safe.

Funds raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, saving lives as the charity fights back from the impact of the pandemic.

Organisers are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join the 5K and 10K events which take place at Haydock Park Racecourse on Sunday, October 17.

Siobhan Byrne, Race for Life spokesperson in the North West, said: “This year more than ever we need people to enter the Race for Life.

“We’re making a final call to people to sign up today, as their participation and contribution is so important. Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

“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, we need people to enter the Race for Life –for the people we love, for the people we’ve lost and for the one in two of us* who will get cancer.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, which has been in partnership with Tesco for 20 years, is a 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 treatments for 200 types of the disease – including bowel cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.  

This year, participants will set off on the Race for Life course either alone or in small, socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Siobhan added: “We’ll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event.

“But we promise our events will remain colourful, emotional and uplifting. The safety of our Race for Life participants is our absolute priority.

“Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some point. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need as many people as possible to join us, to stand united and do something extraordinary.”

People can visit raceforlife.org to enter.