THE countdown is on for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Swindon.

With just two weeks to go until the big day, organisers are urging women who haven’t secured their place yet to sign up as soon as possible for the events on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May at Lydiard Park.

Entry closes on Thursday, May 19 for Pretty Muddy and Friday, May 20 for 5k and 10k and mums, daughters, grannies, sisters, friends and workmates who want to take part in the women-only events.

Michelle Leighton, event manager for Race for Life in Swindon, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that so many women have entered already but we still have places left so we’re urging anyone who has been thinking about it to commit and take action today.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco for the past 15 years, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, marathon and hiking events which raises millions of pounds every year to fund research to help beat 200 types of cancer.

Last year, 4,700 women took part in the Swindon race and raised a fantastic £260,000. This year, organisers need 5,100 women and girls to rally together to help raise £270,000 for vital research.

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

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 Wiltshire and the UK.

Michelle added: “Taking part in Race for Life, alongside thousands of like minded women, is incredibly motivating. The atmosphere at all the events is full of emotion as participants wear signs on their backs declaring their reasons for taking part. Many will be remembering loved ones lost to cancer or celebrating the lives of people dear to them who have survived.

“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are about an army of women crossing the finish line together in the fight against cancer. Whatever the distance, every step taken around the course will help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured,” said Michelle.

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