LOCAL women are being urged to get the New Year off to a great start by signing up now to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2016.

The charity is calling on women of all shapes and sizes to show cancer who’s boss by entering the Race for Life 5k event at Northfields Recreation Ground in Cwmbran.

Although many see January as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in terms of health and fitness, motivation can slip as the cold weather drags on.

That’s where Race for Life comes in. As the event takes place on Sunday, June 19, women who enter now will be creating their own compelling goal to aim for later in the year, when the warmer weather makes staying on the sofa less tempting.

Lisa Sweeting, Cancer Research UK’s Cwmbran Event Manager, said: “Signing up to take part in Race for Life is a great way for women to commit to get a little more active.

“Race for Life events are non-competitive. Taking part is not about being fit or fast and participants can choose to walk, jog, or run around the course. The atmosphere is incredibly supportive. Pledging to take part, alongside thousands of like minded women, is a great motivation to get fitter. Planning to raise money for life-saving research could prove more of an incentive to get up and get moving than the usual New Year’s resolution to shift the post-Christmas pounds.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and marathon events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding life-saving research.

Last year, 1,887 women took part in Race for Life in Cwmbran and raised a fantastic £92,649. This year, organisers need 2,100 women and girls to stride out to help raise £105,000.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across Wales.

Lisa continued: “Race for Life is an amazing way to celebrate everyone we love who has survived cancer. It’s also an emotional and moving way to pay tribute to those dear to us whose lives have been cut short by the disease.

“Our participants make Race for Life a truly uplifting, inspiring experience. That’s why we’re calling on women of all ages to sign up now to their event in Cwmbran and pledge to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, on the front line against cancer. Together, we can unleash a powerful fighting spirit to stop cancer in its tracks.”

Women who sign up for 5k events in January can benefit from a specially reduced fee of £10.00.

To enter Race for Life today visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.