Men out in force for charity fun run - video (From Worcester News)

Men out in force for charity fun run - video

9:30am Monday 12th April 2010 in News By Lauren Rogers, @laurenrogersWN #WENews

WORCESTERSHIRE’S first ever Race4Men has been hailed a huge success with more than 200 runners crossing the finishing line.

The charity fun run, which took place at RGS The Grange in Claines, Worcester, yesterday raised more than £10,000 for Cancer Research UK and helped highlight male cancers.

The event was organised by 18-year-old Alistair Craggie, a former pupil of Worcester’s Royal Grammar School, because he wanted to “do something memorable”.

Men from all over the county took part. There was a team from the city’s Army Careers Information Office who carried a female colleague around the 5km (3.1 miles) course on a stretcher, a group from the Cricketers pub in Angel Street, Worcester, joggers in fancy dress and runners as young as four years old.

Mr Craggie, a volunteer event organiser for Cancer Research UK, said: “We had a massive response of about 150 people sign up online and even more signed up on the day.

“I just want to thank everybody for taking part, thank all the supporters for being here and thank the Royal Grammar School for all their help. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

First, second and third places went to runners Dave Hall, Tom White, and Phil Bullock, but every single participant went home with a medal. Maria Parker, area volunteer manager for Cancer Research in Worcestershire, said: “It was a great day and we are delighted with the turnout of men and boys who are keen to do something to raise awareness and funds.”

As well as raising vital funds Race4Men aimed to raise awareness of male cancers. Testicular cancer, although rare and now 99 per cent curable if diagnosed early, is most common in younger men aged 15 to 45.

Cancer Research UK is urging men to be aware of the warning signs after a study revealed that men are almost 40 per cent more likely than women to die from cancer and experts have suggested the difference could be down to men playing down early symptoms.

For more information about the battle to beat male cancers see cancerresearchuk. org.uk.