Race for Life: The very human race (From York Press)

Race for Life: The very human race

8:50am Saturday 27th June 2009

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Thousands of women are taking part in York’s Race for Life. CHARLOTTE PERCIVAL speaks to some of them.

WHEN the horn starts York’s two Race for Life events this weekend, almost 5,000 women and children will be united in support of one thing – fighting cancer.

Running, skipping and walking around York Racecourse with fairy wings and banners of tribute and support flapping in the breeze, each and every one of them will be sending out their own message in defiance of the disease – and in support of those affected.

Among them will be Rachel Smith, one of the two York women chosen to wear the number 1 shirt.

Rachel, 45, of Strensall, raised more than £1,700 during last year’s Race for Life, just months after finishing treatment for breast cancer.

It was tough, she admits, especially as she felt weakened by her treatment, but she conquered the course with the support of her daughters, sisters, nieces and friends.

“My daughter, Lucy, put me forward for Race for Life last year and I thought there was no way I’d be able to do it, but it actually became my goal,” she said. “I did have to push myself because I realised that my condition was not that good, but it became my obsession and I had to prove to myself I could do it.

“I think I realise now just how much of an achievement it was. I remember feeling really tired and thinking I must be half way round and seeing the 1K mark and thinking I would never finish it, but I did. The weather was absolutely appalling, but the atmosphere was so great and we had such a good day.”

After the race, Rachel vowed to run again and since then, she has had a fantastic year, proving there is life after cancer.

“Until I had cancer, I had never thought about running Race for Life, but I am very passionate about it now,” she says.

“The great thing is the atmosphere, but when you get to the end you feel so good and get such a boost. When you get there everybody is cheering and that helped us to run across the finish line.”

Enthusiasm such as Rachel’s is one of the reasons why the York event is one of the most successful in the region, says organiser Jenny Key. The fundraising target for York this year is £360,000.

This year, 2,922 women will line up for the 10.30am race, followed by another 1,967 at 2.30pm.

“This year we’ve got Winnie Hudson (the 102-year-old pensioner who ran last year’s Race for Life) coming back to York and I just think that’s amazing,” said Jenny.

“It’s so inspiring to see someone as old as her taking part. There are lots of younger people taking part as well and everybody is there for some reason, everybody has been touched by cancer in some way.

“To get everybody under one starting line is really special to see.”

Five kilometres is a long way for some people, admits Jenny. But the great thing about Race for Life is that there is no pressure to run.

You can move as fast or as slow as you like, she says. For those planning to run one of Cancer Research UK’s 10K events, it can be useful training ground.

If you do hit a barrier, remember that hundreds of others are feeling the same.

“There are so many other people in the same position who don’t think they can do it,” says Jenny. “The atmosphere on the day is such an inspiration and will really push everybody on. Everybody can do it.”

It will be Lynne Rowe’s first Race for Life this weekend as she waits to find out whether she is cancer free.

Lynne, 41, of Acomb, discovered she had breast cancer in March 2008 and has since had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the drug Herceptin.

She has always checked herself regularly, because her mum fought and beat breast cancer 20 years ago.

But, she began examining herself more rigorously before being diagnosed.

“For some reason, perhaps about a year before I was diagnosed I was checking myself almost every day,” she said.

“I’d moved jobs and it was the most stressed I’d ever been and I can’t explain it, but I had a niggle that in some way I didn’t think I was as well as I should be, but as you do, you keep going.”

Lynne, her husband Adrian and their son, Joshua, moved to York to be close to her parents, and drew comfort in visiting a family friend who had had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery too.

She is running Race for Life with her family and some friends and is passionate about making a difference.

“You don’t have to run it. When you think about 5K it’s literally a walk around York,” she said.

“You are doing something to give everybody else with cancer hope that there are people out there who do care and together they are finding new drugs all the time and if we can get the money there for them to do the research then brilliant.”

* For more information on Race for Life, visit raceforlife.org

* Pictures from the race will be available online from Sunday onwards.

* See Monday’s Press for a 16-page supplement.

Wardrobe work-out

RAISE even more cash for Cancer Research UK by detoxing your wardrobe ahead of Race for Life.

Organisers want women to take part in a “wardrobe work-out”, sorting and bagging up unwanted clothes and accessories before the event and bringing them to Race for Life donation stations.

Jenny Key, event manager for the York Race for Life, said each participant could raise an extra £30.

“Please make time to detox your wardrobe as part of your ‘warm-up’ for Race for Life,” she said.

“It’s a quick and easy way to help fund vital research. The Donation Station is easy to find at Race for Life events, just look out for the blue marquée and bright pink flags. The items donated will be sold at local Cancer Research UK shops, where stocks are running low.”

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who recently took part in Race for Life in Dundee with her daughter Rosie, said: “We all know that times are tough, but this is an easy way to help raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“Each bag you donate could be worth up to £30, and this will go towards helping to fund Cancer Research UK’s important work. We all know someone who’s had cancer so I hope everyone has a good sort through items they never wear and takes them to the donation station at their Race for Life event.”

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