Thousands of women ready to take on cancer at Race For Life

Some 2,000 women – including cancer survivors and people taking part in memory or celebration or their loved ones – are set to unite for the 5k at Horsham Park at 11am.

Hannah Ford, Race for Life event manager for the South, said: “Looking at all the ‘back signs’ that women wear at the event, declaring why they are taking part, is a very emotional experience.

“Many have survived cancer themselves or are participating in tribute to loved ones whose lives have been touched by the disease.

“I feel so proud and grateful to everyone who is taking part in Race for Life in Horsham, and to all the family, friends and colleagues who are supporting them. What better way to fight back against cancer and show it who’s boss than by raising funds to beat the disease? Cancer, Horsham is coming to get you.”

Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of events, which raises millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.

Organisers hope that participants at the Horsham event will raise £130,000.

Race for Life in Horsham is the first in this year’s South calendar, which includes events in Hastings, Crawley, Eastbourne and Brighton

Hayley continued: “There are over 200 types of cancer and we won’t stop until we find cures for them all. So we need more mums, grans, daughters, sisters, friends and work-mates to join the fight.”

Women can boost their contribution to Cancer Research UK’s work by doing a ‘wardrobe work-out’ before their event. The charity is encouraging them to bag up quality clothes books and accessories they no longer use and take them to the Donation Station at Race for Life.

The course starts at Horsham Park. From the park runners, walkers, joggers and dancers will make their way along Park Road and then head into the Town Centre.

Here they will join South Street and continue along East Street until they reach Denne Road. Participants will then head along Denne Road, Chesworth Lane and up into Chesworth Farm where they can admire the views across Sussex from the top of the fields.

The course heads back down the farm and back along Denne Road as far as Normandy, where runners will then pass through the church yard and up the Causeway.

Spectators can cheer the participants on as they rejoin East Street and return back up South Street and head back to the park. Here they will do a lap of the park before crossing the finish line.

There is still time to enter Race for Life events across the South East at raceforlife.org or by calling 0845 600 6050.

Relay for life

Relay For Life takes place at Christ’s Hospital School from Saturday, June 1, at noon until noon on Sunday, June 2, for Cancer Research UK.

Team members take it in turns to walk around a track for 24 hours. The event is open to the public from noon on Saturday until around 9.30pm and will re-open to the public from 8.30am until noon on Sunday.

Entry and parking is free.

Visit www.cruk.org/relay or call 07713 131373.