WARRINGTON residents are being urged to look beyond lockdown by making a date to join Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

The charity’s much-loved events are aiming to return this summer, but with socially distanced measures to keep participants safe.

This year’s Warrington event was due to take place in Victoria Park once again, but it has been moved to nearby Arley Hall due to uncertainty over the race clashing with other events.

It will now take place on bank holiday Monday on August 30 after also being brought forward.

Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, saving lives as the charity fights back from the impact of the pandemic.

Siobhan Byrne, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Warrington, said: “Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity for people across the area to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

“All 400 mass-participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year more than ever, we need people to enter the Race for Life for the people we love, for the people we have lost and for the one in two of us who will get cancer.”

This year, participants will set off on the Race for Life course either alone or in small, socially distanced groups.

Warrington Guardian:

Hand sanitiser will also be provided with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Siobhan added: “We will ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event, but we promise our events will remain colourful, emotional and uplifting.

The safety of our Race for Life participants is our absolute priority, and we have been constantly monitoring the Covid situation and have developed ways to ensure our events can operate safely, following government guidance.

“It may be that events look a bit different this year, but we are working proactively with our venues and suppliers to deliver a socially distanced but great experience.

“Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some point, but every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. 

“That is why we need as many people as possible across Warrington to join us, to stand united and do something extraordinary to help beat cancer.”

Race for Life events, including a 5K, 10K and Pretty Muddy mud-splattered obstacle course, are open to people of all ages and abilities.

Anyone who signs up between June 21 and July 4 can claim a special 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the RFLJUNE30 code.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.