MEN are encouraged to make this the year they take part in a race to support vital research into prostate cancer.

The men-only R U Taking the P? run takes place in Rowntree Park in York every year, and has raised a total of £112,000 since it started seven years ago.

All the funds raised by the 5k run go towards groundbreaking research led by Professor Norman Maitland at the University of York and to work carried out by York Against Cancer.

The event is held on Father's Day, which this year falls on June 18.

Brian Hughes, the race organiser, has called for as many men as possible to turn up for the race.

He said: “You can run it, walk it, crawl it. It’s only three miles, five kilometres, and afterwards we all go to the local pub and have a pint that’s been specially brewed for the race.”

Last year the event raised more than £7000 for the prostate cancer research conducted by Professor Norman Maitland at the University of York, and the same again for York Against Cancer’s work in cancer care, education and research.

Prof Maitland said donations like that raised by the race were very important to his research work seeking the next generation of treatment for prostate cancer.

“Research is very expensive and I don’t think people know how much it costs…but a long-term treatment that would allow men to live with their cancer would be a real boon to society.”

York Against Cancer general manager Julie Russell joined Brian Hughes at the York HQ of Aviva UK Life to hand over a cheque to Professor Maitland and launch the 2017 event.

Dave Harper, Change & IT Director at Aviva, is a prostate cancer survivor and a major supporter of RUTTP? He arranged access to the building for the photoshoot and is urging men to get behind the cause again this year.

“Having had prostate cancer and living through the treatment, I think the run gives men something positive to do – it’s a real act of defiance, and with the name being a bit risqué, it also gets people talking. It’s a call to arms for men over 50 to get the test.”

- Entries open in January for RUTTP? 2017. Please watch York Against Cancer’s website for more information.