Race is on to help others...

Oldham women are being urged to put a spring in their step as they step into spring by entering the Alexandra Park Race for Life.

The Cancer Research event is the ideal way for women of all ages, shapes and sizes to motivate themselves to become more active, according to the event’s manager Rachel Hewitt.

Women of all ages can walk, jog or run the three mile, five kilometre, route at Alexandra Park on Sunday, July 18.

Race for Life is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series.

In 2009, 2,635 women walked, jogged or ran Race for Life in Oldham and raised £128,574. This year, more than 900 participants have already signed up and organisers are hoping that 2,500 women will help hit a fundraising target of £118,800.

Being physically active could help to prevent thousands of cancer cases in the UK every year. Studies show that it can reduce the risk of bowel cancer by a quarter and the risk of breast cancer by 20 to 40 per cent.

Rachel added: “Race for Life is not a competitive event. It’s about women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels coming together to share amazing moments and help beat cancer.

They can walk, jog or run the 5k course and revel in Race for Life’s unique atmosphere of sisterhood.

“Doing some training offers benefits for everyone.

“Walking is a great form of exercise and it’s really easy to fit some extra steps into your day, especially now spring is here. To get started, why not get off the bus a couple of stops earlier or take the stairs at work instead of the lift?”

Cancer Research has teamed up with celebrity fitness trainer Lucy Wyndham-Read and devised six week training plans for different levels of ability.

They are free to download from the Race for Life website, with guidance on warming up and stretching, as well as motivation.

To enter Race for Life, and download the free training plans, visit www.raceforlife.org . Women can also enter by calling 0871 641 1111.