Race for Life

Over 1000 Island women and girls joined together on Sunday 20th May to take part in the annual Race for Life, which is the only race on the Island to raise vital money for Cancer Research UK. The 2007 event was held in Newport in the grounds of Medina High School and surrounding the Seaclose Park.

It may have been staged just one week to the day since thousands of Islanders took part in Walk the Wight for our very own Earl Mountbatten Hospice, but the weather on each of these two days was poles apart. Contrary to the rain, wind and hail of the previous weekend, Race for Life participants were treated to a day of glorious sunshine; in fact those choosing to run the course may well have said it was a little too hot!

A powerful message brought about by real team spirit

The race took part over a 5km course and the women were free to walk, jog or run at a pace that suited them. The target that organisers and participants hoped to smash on the Isle of Wight this year was £103,000. 2007 was the 5th year to witness this successful event being held on the Island, although across the country over a period of 3 months, 280 similar events are also scheduled to take place. This impressive figure also includes the other 8 UK towns that were fortunate enough to share in the warm weather by holding their Race for Life on the same day as us here on the Island! Tesco, who have been supporting the annual Race for Life for the past 7 years, were the official sponsors of the event.

The start-gun went off at 11am, but participants were required to arrive an hour before to take part in fun warm-up exercises. The proceedings were kicked-started by Power FM's 'Maximum Bob' who later handed the microphone over to Council Leader Councillor Andy Sutton who was keen to relay just what a powerful message the 1000-strong group of women were sending out by joining together to fight in the battle against Cancer. Indeed, for anyone who was present a real team spirit could be felt.

A truly humbling experience

In addition to their race numbers, the women wore pink squares upon their backs, which told of the reason why they were racing for life on this day. How humbling it was to see women and girls across a whole spectrum of ages racing in memory of their mum, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, grandmother, grandfather, best friend - the list is endless. Equally though how enlightening to see survivors of this terrible disease coming together to take part in the event and proving that there is still hope that one day we will beat it. The day illustrated just how many families across the Isle of Wight have been touched by Cancer and this alone was enough to spur everyone on in their bid to raise enough money to help find a desperately needed cure.

A minute silence was held before the race to remember loved ones, but this was then followed by a minute of celebration for their lives which saw the entire field erupt with the sound of clapping and cheering, ensuring that the mood was upbeat as fundraisers headed for the start line. Although mindful of why they were there, the atmosphere amongst fundraisers throughout the duration of the race was very light-hearted and jovial with many women choosing to sport fancy-dress costumes, including pink wigs and feather bowers.

Where there's life, there's hope

Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has grown to become the UK's largest women-only fundraising event, with all of the money raised by race participants being used to help fund the crucial work of Cancer Research UK - the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. So far, over two million women of all ages have run, walked or jogged to raise over £140 million in sponsorship for the charity across the country.

All-in-all, this year Cancer Research UK hope to raise £60 million for their life-saving work by bringing an amazing 800,000 women together to raise money for this invaluable cause. The money will go towards the funding of essential research work into the treatment and prevention of cancer, as well as providing care for those affected by cancer and their families.

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