ORGANISERS of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Reading have announced new dates for the event.

The charity has postponed Race for Life events this spring and summer across the UK to protect the country’s health during the coronavirus outbreak.

This includes the Race for Life 5K,10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events at Prospect Park which can no longer take place on July 11 and 12.

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However, people across Reading can once again be part of the Race for Life movement and show their support to the 54,100 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the South East.

The Reading Race for Life 5K and 10k events have been rescheduled for September 27 and the Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events have been rescheduled for September 26.

The charity said participants who had already signed up for the events in June can transfer their entry to the new September dates.

Entries are also open for more people to join at raceforlife.org.

Joseph Hutchinson, Cancer Research UK Event Manager for Reading, said: “We’re sending a heartfelt message to everyone to seize the opportunity and come join us to Race for Life in Reading this September.

“As the coronavirus outbreak continues to unfold, we are listening to the advice and guidance of the UK government carefully.

“While our priority is ensuring that people affected by cancer get the support and information they need during unprecedented times, we’re having to work quickly to understand the impact the pandemic will have on Cancer Research UK’s fundraising.

“We have urgently reviewed our events, including Race for Life.

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"As the safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff across the hundreds of Race for Life events due to take place in 2020 is incredibly important we have made the decision to postpone the events scheduled in May, June and July including Race for Life Reading this July.

“We hope men, women and children will unite against cancer and make Race for Life the best yet this Autumn. Together we can beat cancer.

“Since it began, Race for Life has raised over £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 throughout these unprecedented times.”

Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies entirely on the public’s generous support.

The charity said it was able to spend over £34 million last year in the South East on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

It explained many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against Covid-19, including assisting with testing for the virus.

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By helping to beat coronavirus, the charity can lessen the impact the virus is having on the care of cancer patients.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to find new ways to tackle cancer.

Money raised through Race for Life helps to make long-term research and pioneering trials possible, leading to new tests and kinder treatments, which could save the lives of more men, women and children across the South East.