Pandemic forces organisers to pull plug on popular race
CANCER Research UK has pulled the plug on its popular Race For Life event in Llanelli this summer due to the ongoing pandemic.
The Race for Life events ranging from 3km, 5km and 10km were scheduled to take place at Festival Fields, Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli on Sunday, June 6.
There would have been socially distanced measures to help keep participants safe – but due to the roadmap out of lockdown set to extend into the summer organisers have postponed it and other races across Wales and the UK.
Instead, fundraisers are encouraged to raise money for the charity by running close to their homes in April.
The idea will see people in all corners of the UK completing their own 5km Race for Life in their nearest green space. They plan to take part outdoors either alone or in small, socially distanced groups to help people with cancer. People can visit www. raceforlife.org to enter what is being dubbed as Race for Life at Home for £5. Participants will receive a race pack which includes a medal.
Ruth Amies, Cancer Research UK’S spokesperson for Wales, said: “Even while we’re still apart, we can unite against cancer.
“There are a million reasons to Race for Life at Home, to help save lives, for those who have had vital treatment delayed or just for a reason to get off the sofa. We want people to run, walk or jog 5K and raise money for life-saving research.
She added: “The truth is, Covid-19 has slowed us down as charity. But we will never stop and we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.
“But we can’t do it alone and 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 to help beat cancer.”
A live broadcast on the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook and Race for Life Instagram pages takes place on Saturday April 24.
It will include a message of encouragement as well as inspirational messages from cancer survivors. Organisers are also inviting participants to share photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #Raceathome.