RESIDENTS across Bournemouth are being urged to enter the town’s Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life with just weeks left until the big day.

Organisers are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join the 5k and 10k events, which take place along the seafront on Saturday, September 26.

Anyone who signs up for Race for Life before Sunday, September 12, can get 50 per cent off the entry fee. The discount code RFLAUG50 can be applied when entering any Race for Life, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids event.

Race for Life spokesperson Sam Morris said: “This year more than ever we need people to enter the Race for Life.

“We’re making a final call to the people of Bournemouth to sign up today, as their participation and contribution is so important. Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

“All 400 mass participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. So this year, we need people to enter the Race for Life - for the people we love, for the people we’ve lost and for the one in two of us who will get cancer.”

This year, participants will set off on the Race for Life course either alone or in small, socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Sam added: “We’ll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event.

“But we promise our events will remain colourful, emotional and uplifting. The safety of our Race for Life participants is our absolute priority. We’ve been constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have developed ways to ensure our events can operate safely, following government guidance. It may be that events look a bit different this year but we are working proactively with our venues and suppliers to deliver a socially distanced but great experience.

“Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some point. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need as many people as possible across Bournemouth to join us, to stand united and do something extraordinary.”

Poole Race for Life is taking place this Saturday, September 11, with a range of distances and events.

To find out more about Race for Life and to sign up, visit raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/find-an-event.