RACES
running free n 35
"Race for Life is for all
fitness abilities, it's completely
non-competitive, for women
only, and you can choose to
walk, jog or run it.
"
my aunts,sisters and cousins.Arriving at the event we were
greeted with the familiar sea of pink as thousands of women of all
ages,shapes and sizes gathered,laughing and chatting with
infectious enthusiasm.Some women opt to wear simple running
gear while some go all out in fantastic fancy dress costumes but
pink is definitely the colour of the day with pink t-shirts,wigs,
feather boas and fairy wings popular among the crowd.
Along with the carnival atmosphere,there was also a poignancy
in the air as we read the pink cards that all the women and girls
who were running had pinned to their backs giving their reason for
taking part,which would usually be the name of a loved one
affected by cancer.Some had simply written`For everyone who has
cancer'.It's a sad fact but there must be very few people who
haven't been touched by cancer in some way.That's why it's so
important for people to support Cancer Research UK's work to beat
cancer and although Race for Life is a fun day,everyone is aware of
the serious motivation behind the event.
After the warm up session which everyone takes part in,I lined
up with my fellow Race for Life runners while my family took their
place with the other walkers.I told myself it wasn't a race,just a fun
run in the park with lots of like minded women and my nervousness
dissolved.There lots of us who'd turned up to run on their own,but
we were soon chatting like a group of old friends.
As we set off I resisted the urge of a sprint start and kept to my
own steady pace.All those evenings spent running with Kaiser
stood me in good stead and I really enjoyed myself as I ran,
chatting with my fellow Race for Lifers and taking in the fantastic
atmosphere.It felt longer than the distances I'd been running
during training,but I was spurred on by the amazing camaraderie
of all the women and soon the end was in sight.
I crossed the finish line in a blaze of glory and proudly accepted my
participant medal.It was a great feeling to finally be able to sit down
and rest on the grass whilst watching other women enthusiastically
completing the course.About twenty minutes later my family crossed
the line and joined me on the grass,congratulating me for rising to the
challenge and completing a 5k run.
I feel really proud of what I achieved that day,I definitely
recommend Race for Life events to beginner runners.The
atmosphere at Race for Life is amazing,there's a real feeling of
sisterhood between everyone who takes part.As clich�d as it
sounds I do think I may have caught the running bug � I'm looking
forward to running Race for Life in 2010 and who knows,I may even
push myself to sign up for one of the 10k options! rf
ThefacTs
n Cancer Research
UK's Race for Life began
with just one event at
Battersea Park, London in
1994. Since then it
has grown to over 230
events across the country.
n Women of all ages,
shapes and sizes are
invited to walk, jog or run
5k to raise money to help beat cancer.
n This year a selection of events also has a 10k
option for those wanting to set themselves a
greater challenge.
n In 2010 Cancer Research UK hopes that
over 730,000 women will come together to
raise over �60 million to fund the charity's life
saving work.
n Since Race for Life began in 1994, an
incredible 4.7million participants across the UK
have raised over �290 million for Cancer
Research UK's research into the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
n In the 16 years since the first Race for Life,
there has been an overall drop of 15% in the
death rate from cancer and Cancer Research
UK's work has been at the heart of this progress.
n Enter at www.raceforlife.org .

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