Race for Life run scrapped

A MASSIVE fundraising event in Oldham has been scrapped after the numbers signing up to take part plummeted.

The seventh annual Race for Life was to be held on Wednesday, July 6 at Alexandra Park — but has now been cancelled after only 465 women signed up.

Organisers took the decision over the Easter break to cancel the event citing a steady decline in participants over the past few years.

A total of 2,000 women took part last year, compared with 2,600 in 2009.

Laura Taylor, event manager for Oldham Race for Life, said attempts to boost numbers included switching the race date from a weekend to a week day which had worked in other areas of the North-West.

She said: “Such a low number of women signing-up in Oldham would mean significantly less money raised for Cancer Research UK’s life saving research as the entry fee covers the cost of staging the event alone.

“Taking into consideration the cost of staging the event, we have therefore taken the difficult decision to cancel it this year.

“We are very grateful to all those who signed up for Race for Life in Oldham and hope they will understand the reason for this decision.”

She added: “We hope supporters will understand that it is vital the charity works in the most cost-efficient way possible.

“Every single woman from Oldham will be able to transfer to another Race for Life event or can receive a full refund of their registration fee.”

All those who have paid their £14.99 sign-up fee are being contacted and can transfer to another race or get a full refund.

Over 300 Race for Life 5k and 10k events take place from May to July across the country and raise millions every year for research into all cancers — helping men, women and children across the North-West.

This year’s goal is to raise £80 million to fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research.

Carmel Cartwright, from Zig Zag Hair Design, Waterhead, said it was a shame the event had been cancelled.

She said: “A group of us did it last year and I’ve done it for the past three years, it has seemed really well attended.

“We were thinking about doing it again but then they changed it to Wednesday and that is our late night opening.

“It’s better on a Sunday because its a real family event and a full day for friends and family.

“It’s a real shame that it has been cancelled especially as it raises so much money for charity.”

For more information call the Race for Life hotline on 0871 641 1111.