New dates for Black Country Race for Life events

The charity has postponed the fundraisers this spring and summer across the UK to protect the country’s health during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes the May Race for Life 5K and 10K at Walsall Arboretum, the June Race for Life 5K in Wolverhampton, and the July Race for Life 5K in Dudley.

But everyone across the Black Country can once again be part of the empowering Race for Life movement and show support to the 31,600 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the West Midlands. The Race for Life 5K and 10K events have all been rescheduled.

The Race for Life 5K and 10K at Walsall Arboretum, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 17, will now take place on Sunday, September 6.

The Wolverhampton 5K event has been moved from Sunday, June 14 to Sunday, October 11.

And the Race for Life 5K at Himley Hall, Dudley, planned for Sunday, July 5, has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 23.

Participants who had already signed up for the Race for Life events from May to July can transfer their entry to the new September and October dates. ** Entries are also open for more people to join at raceforlife.org

Kirsten Shore, Cancer Research UK Event Manager for the Black Country, said: “We’re sending a heartfelt message to everyone to seize the opportunity and come and join us at one of the Race for Life in Walsall, Wolverhampton or Dudley this autumn.

“As the coronavirus outbreak continues to unfold, we are listening to the advice and guidance of the UK Government carefully.

“While our priority is ensuring that people affected by cancer get the support and information they need during unprecedented times, we’re having to work quickly to understand the impact the pandemic will have on Cancer Research UK’s fundraising.

“We have urgently reviewed our events, including Race for Life. As the safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff across the hundreds of Race for Life events due to take place in 2020 is incredibly important we have made the decision to postpone all events scheduled in summer.

“We hope men, women and children will unite against cancer and make Race for Life in the Black Country the best yet this autumn. Together we can beat cancer.

“Since it began, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue throughout these unprecedented times.”

Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £11 million last year in the West Midlands on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

Now many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against Covid-19, including assisting with testing for the virus.

By helping to beat coronavirus, the charity can lessen the impact that this virus is having on the care of cancer patients.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to find new ways to tackle cancer.

Money raised through Race for Life helps to make long-term research and pioneering trials possible, leading to new tests and kinder treatments, which could save the lives of more men, women and children across the West Midlands.

For more information, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.