No girls allowed in York run for prostate research (From York Press)

No girls allowed in York run for prostate research

10:01am Monday 2nd April 2012 in Health & Wellbeing

IT’S no girls allowed again this June as a popular men-only fundraising 5k run returns to York on Fathers’ Day.

This will be the third time the R U Taking The P? event is run in the city and it has so far raised more than £25,000 for prostate cancer research at the University of York’s Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit. This year, men from all walks of life are being encouraged to don their favourite sporting outfits for an Olympic-themed event, which will take place days before the Olympic Torch passes through the city.

Organiser Brian Hughes, who was named Charity Fundraiser of the Year at 2011’s York Press Community Pride Awards, has been selected as one of 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers and is keen to kick-start the theme at his unique event.

The 58-year-old hairdresser said: “I’d love to see people taking part in football strips and swimming costumes this year. We want to encourage a lot more sports clubs to take part and help us make this year even bigger and better than ever.

Brian was initially inspired to organise the event after his good friend, Les Coop, had to undergo a prostatectomy only weeks after losing his wife to cancer in December 2009.

The first run exceeded all expectations and Brian and co-organiser Richard Smith, who are both members of the York Knavesmire Harriers running club, hope to eventually extend the event to other Yorkshire cities.

Professor Norman Maitland, director of the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit, said: “Without Brian’s hard work and determination, the event would never have got off the ground and, while the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit at the University benefits directly from his fundraising efforts, we also feel a part of the event by taking part either as runners - or in my case as a brisk walker.”

This year Brian is hoping to attract at least 1,000 men to this year’s event, which takes place on Sunday, June 19, at Rowntree Park. Entry, including a T-shirt and fundraising pack, cost £17 (£15 for UK Athletic Club members).

To enter go to www.ycr.org.uk/rutakingthep or call the events line on 01423 877210.