Runners will be taking to the streets to get some training in before the summer return of the popular Race for Life in Newcastle.
The city favourite returns to the Town Moor this July for two days of fund-raising fun and there is still time to sign up to share in the occasion. Several Race for Life events take place across the region - including upcoming runs in Durham on July 3 - and the Newcastle one is always hugely popular, including a range of options from a 5k run to a full-on Pretty Muddy obstacle course.
Race for Life is an annual charity event for Cancer Research UK and its regionwide runs, open to all ages and abilities, can be walked if preferred so there's no pressure to take those training sessions too seriously. They are seen as an ideal opportunity just to enjoy some fresh air and exercise with family and friends while raising money for a good cause.
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The runs are always a huge boost to the coffers of the charity which says that around 17,600 people a year in the North East are diagnosed with cancer, with one in two of those born after 1960 set to get cancer in their lifetime. The money raised through sponsorship at the runs helps scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, so helping to save more lives.
Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North East, has said: “Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of - or in memory of - a loved one with cancer or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. For some people, it is literally a walk in the park - slow and steady still wins.
"For others, it’s a jog - others may opt to push themselves harder and take part in the 10K distance - but what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities." Earlier in the year, the charity was offering reduced-price entry to take part but there is still an opportunity to sign up. Here is everything you need to know about Newcastle' s event.
Race for Life on Newcastle Town Moor
Where and when is it?
The Race for Life takes place on the on the July 9-10 weekend. Its location is the Town Moor, near the Exhibition Park, in Newcastle. The postcode to note is NE2 4AA. To see the area on a map click here. The start and finish lines are within the moor on the field adjacent to the Claremont Road bridge and Exhibition Park. Those with the free what3words app can find the exact location by entering fake.thing.ears
What events are involved?
There are five events to pick from which are taking place over the two days so there is something for all ages and abilities. They include Pretty Muddy, described as a mud-splattered obstacle course - and there's a children's version of it too.
Newcastle Pretty Muddy Kids - Saturday, July 9
Start time: There's a choice of starts - 10am or 10.15am.
This muddy obstacle course is especially for little ones who can take on the obstacles, crawl through the mud pit and have fun with friends. All children taking part must be at least 1.2m tall. They will encounter a mix of obstacles including inflatables, climbing, crawling and mud and courses are around 5km. Adults accompanying the children will run alongside the course but not take on the obstacles.
Pretty Muddy 5k - Saturday, July 9
Start time: Again, this is staggered. Those interested can choose from a noon, 12.15pm and 12.30pm start.
The event involves the likes of scrambling over an A-frame and crawling through a mud pit. No one under 13 can take part. The single lap route is mostly on the Town Moor with a bit of Exhibition Park in between the start and finish and those obstacles include inflatables.
Newcastle 3k and Newcastle 5k - Sunday, July 10
Start time: 11am but participants are asked to turn up 15-20 minutes early. This is a single lap course which begins on the Town Moor then weaves through Exhibition Park and continues along the Great North Road before returning to the moor once again. It's flat and mostly on grass so it may be a bit muddy if it rains.
Newcastle 10k - Sunday, July 10
Start time: 9.30am and again runners are asked to arrive in good time. This one is a double lap course which covers the route outlined above, including a small section along Grandstand Road.
What does it cost to enter?
Race for Life entry cost is: Adults (16 and over): £14.99; children (ages six to 15) £10. Under-sixes can be taken along for free and no registration for them is needed. Enter the 3k here; 5k here and 10k here.
Pretty Muddy entry costs £19.99 for adults and £10 for children. Enter for the noon start here; 12.15pm here and 12.30pm here. The children's version is £10, with no charge for supervising adults. To enter for the 10am slot see here and for the 10.15am option register here.
Tips for the day
Organisers advise everyone to take along a filled water bottle as no bottled water is provided at the event, although refill stations are expected. Those doing the Pretty Muddy events are reminded to bring a towel and a change of clothes for the return home.
No event parking is available and there will be only limited roadside parking on adjacent Claremont Road so the advice for those travelling to the site is to either use city centre car parks or, where possible, public transport.
There will be toilets and refreshments available. The site is suitable for pushchairs and is wheelchair-accessible - if the user has an assistant as the terrain can be difficult to navigate. Dogs are allowed too.
Entry information
For more information and to register for entry - as detailed above - for any of the Race for Life events see its website here.
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