Enter Race for Life at Westpoint Exeter

With only 6 short weeks to go until Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Westpoint Exeter, women across Devon are being encouraged to jump into their training shoes and sign up for this year’s event! This week’s sunny evenings are the perfect time to begin training ahead of the 5k or brand new 10k race on Sunday 27th July.

Taking part in Race for Life at Westpoint Arena is a great way for women of all shapes and sizes to enjoy the outdoors and get a little more active as they prepare for their event.

Committing to take part, and encouraging their mums, grans, daughters, sisters and friends to join them, gives participants a target to aim for, in terms of getting a bit fitter and raising money to beat cancer sooner.

Last year, 3300 women took part in Race for Life in Exeter and raised a fantastic £174,380. This year, organisers need 4000 women and girls to take part in the 5k and 10k events and help raise £218,497 for vital research.

Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s Exeter Event Manager, said: “Race for Life is not competitive and it’s not about being fit or fast. It’s about thousands of women coming together to show cancer who’s boss.

“You don’t need to pound the pavements or be decked out in lycra to do your bit. Participants can choose to walk, jog, run or even dance their way around the course. Whichever way they reach the finish line, they are united by their determination to beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k and 10k events which raises millions of pounds every year to fund research to help beat 200 types of cancer.

Although the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is going up - largely due to the fact that people are living longer and cancer is predominantly a disease of old age - the good news is that, thanks to research, survival rates have doubled in the past 40 years. More people across the South West are now beating the disease than ever before.

Ruth added: “You don’t need to embark upon a tough training regime – unless you really want to! A gentle walk is a great form of exercise, and with lighter evenings now upon us, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the fresh air, get fit and gear up for the Race for Life experience. The atmosphere and excitement on the day will get everyone’s blood pumping!”

Free training plans for different levels of ability are available on the Race for Life website. The six-week training plans are designed for walkers, joggers or runners. They feature guidance on warming up and stretching, as well as motivation. For more information please go to www.westpointexeter.co.uk. To enter Race for Life events in the South West, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.

Race for Life events in the South West

Plymouth on Sunday 22 June at the Hoe – 5k event
Barnstaple on Sunday 6 July at Seven Bretheren – 5k event
Taunton on Sunday 13 July at Vivary Park – 5k and 10k events
Exeter on Sunday 27 July at 10.00am at Westpoint - 5k and 10k events