Hugely popular series of fundraising runs is now open for men to take part in

Organisers are urging men to sign up for this year’s Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life after the entry criteria was changed to make the run open to all.

The Race for Life Family 5k is an addition to the orgnaisation’s events’ calendar and is being piloted for the first time in Scotland. It will take place alongside the traditional women-only 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events.

Scotland will host 10 new Race for Life Family 5ks this spring which men can participate in at locations including Stirling, Perth, Fife, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Irvine, Glasgow, Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen.

Now for the first time at a Race for Life event men, women and children of all ages and abilities will unite with one purpose – beating cancer sooner.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Scots have always shown such an incredible commitment to the cause, so we’re thrilled to be trialling the new Family 5k event in Scotland.

“For the first time, this will offer men the chance to experience Race for Life as participants. Our much-loved traditional 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events will remain women-only – giving everyone the opportunity to support Cancer Research UK in the way they want to.”

Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland - around 31,900 a year.

Event organisers are urging people across Scotland to sign up for a Race for Life event now. All are non-competitive so participants can choose to walk, jog or run around the course to help fund life-saving research. Last year, around 37,612 people took part in Race for Life in Scotland and raised almost £2.5 million.

Money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to tackle cancer and save more lives. More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.