Race for Life organisers still planning Milton Keynes event this year despite the pandemic

The Race for Life will return to Milton Keynes on Sunday June 6 at Willen Lake and Cancer Research are offering a 30% entry fee discount to any runners who sign up in January by using the code JAN2021. The event is open to runners of all ages and abilities, you can sign up using the link here.

It's scheduled to be a 10KM non-competitive race with the entry fee standing at £14.99 for adults and £10 for children, any keen runners under the age of six can enter for free.

Participation will be especially important for the charity this year given the financial difficulties charities have faced during the pandemic.Cancer Research UK is predicting a staggering £300 million drop in income over the next three years which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk.

Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

Participants will set off on the course either alone or in small socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided at all events with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Courtney Culverhouse, Cancer Research UK’s event manager for Milton Keynes, said: “The Race for Life is a powerful, inspirational movement which unites participants in Milton Keynes with people across the South East and the whole of the UK.

“People get together and remember loved ones lost, or celebrate the lives of those who have survived. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with the disease, right now."

To help stop the spread of the coronavirus Cancer Research had to cancel all their annual running events last year making participation in 2021 of paramount importance. Culverhouse stated: “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.”

The plan is for the Race for life events to go ahead across the country this summer, but COVID-19 and social distancing protocols mean runners will have to be extra alert and sensible throughout their races. Culverhouse added: “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 Milton Keynes 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.”