Corby's 2020 Race for Life cancelled

A Corby fun run which was attended by more than 1,000 people last year and raised tens of thousands of pounds has been cancelled because of the Covid crisis.

The Race for Life was originally due to take place in West Glebe Park on May 17 but was postponed when the coronavirus pandemic started in March.

It was moved to a new date - September 6 - but that has now been scrapped altogether to protect the country's health with restrictions on mass gatherings.

Cancer Research UK has cancelled all 400 Race for Life events, including those in Northampton which were due to take place on the weekend of October 10.

Participants who have already signed up will be contacted directly by the charity.

Cancer Research UK spokesman Patrick Keely said: “We remain tirelessly committed to making progress for people affected by cancer but now more than ever, support from the public will be vital. We simply will not be able to continue funding our life-saving work without it.

“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised more than £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.

“We know Race for Life is such a treasured part of the UK’s events calendar and it is with a heavy heart that for the first time in 27 years we have to announce that it won’t be taking place. The safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff is however essential.

“We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home in these challenging times.”

Undeterred, women and men across Northamptonshire are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge, in their garden or their nearest green space.

People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their own special challenge. Organisers are also inviting participants to join the Race for Life at Home community by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #RaceForLifeAtHome.

Mr Keely added: “Cancer hasn’t stopped and people affected by cancer need our support more than ever.

“From a run or 5km walk around the garden or local park to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home. With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, star jump, squat, skip, dance, trampoline, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends. We’re urging everyone – men women and children – to join our community and help raise vital funds.”