Thousands are needed to join the ‘pink army’

A whole host of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy obstacle course events are taking place across the Black Country, Staffordshire and Birmingham this year.

In 2017, more than Last year, in excess of £700,000 was generated by mothers, daughters, sisters and friends coming together to show their commitment to the cause. Now a rallying call has been issued to women and girls to sign up and help to raise more vital funds this summer.

The traditional 5k and 10k Race for Life events, organised by Cancer Research UK, see women and girls donning all manner of pink clothing and accessories to walk, jog or run the courses.

While Pretty Muddy sees participants jumping over inflatable obstacles and tumbling down slides to complete this messy challenge in style.

On May 12 there will be 5k, 10k and Kids Pretty Muddy events at Weston Park on the Staffordshire-Shropshire border.

The following day, May 13, Race for Life comes to Walsall Arboretum with women and girls able to choose between 5k and 10k routes.

On May 20, there will also be 5k and 10k events at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham.

Wolverhampton’s West Park will host a 5k Race for Life on June 17.

Thousands of walkers and runners are once again expected to descend on Himley Park, near Dudley for the popular 5k on July 8.

Then on July 14, Pretty Muddy comes to Cofton Park in Longbridge, Birmingham and following the successful launch of Pretty Muddy at Sandwell Valley Country Park last year, it will be returning to the beauty spot on September 29.

As well as a 5k course, there will also be a Kids event.

Emily Thompson, race manager for the Wolverhampton and the Black Country, said: “The atmosphere at Race for Life is just fantastic, full of emotion.

“Everyone wears a back sign during the event sharing why they are taking part – in memory, or in celebration, of a friend or relative.

“Often we have a special guest that will share their experience of cancer which is followed by a moment’s silence to remember those that we may have lost. This is a really inspiring and reflective part of the evening and there are often a few tears shed, but we always start the event with a cheer to set the participants off on their Race for Life journey.

“Throughout the course marshals cheer the participants on whilst family and friends are waiting to welcome their loved ones over the finish line.

“It’s a fantastic event with some moments of reflection and celebration, laughter and tears. The events happen come rain or shine and the weather never affects the atmosphere.” The charity says every penny raised by participants in Race for Life is making a difference every day.

“One hundred per cent of the sponsorship raised goes to Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research, some of which is happening right here in the West Midlands in Birmingham,” Ms Thompson added.

“Last year Cancer Research UK spent more than £8 million on research taking place in Birmingham. There are currently over 140 trials taking place at our Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham. There are trials across a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, skin, sarcoma, blood cancers and head and neck cancers. These trials are improving patient care by developing new treatments and ensuring the most effective treatments become standard clinical practice,” added Mrs Thompson.

Over the past 20 years, more than eight million women have taken part in Race for Life, raising more than £547million to fund the charity’s life-saving work.

l For more information on how to enter the events go online to raceforlife.org