BASINGSTOKE women are being urged to fight dirty when it comes to conquering cancer – by signing up now for an exciting new event from Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. 


The town has been chosen to host Race for Life Pretty Muddy for the first time at Down Grange Sports Complex, off Pack Lane, on Saturday, June 18. 


Pretty Muddy is a women-only, non-competitive five-kilometre obstacle course – with added mud. 


It’s the perfect challenge for those looking to shake off the January blues and commit to get more active in 2016. 


Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life family of events also includes the 5km course, which thousands of women will take part in at the same venue on Sunday, June 19, to raise money for life-saving research.


Fiona Miller, Cancer Research UK’s Hampshire event manager, said: “We’re so excited about launching Race for Life Pretty Muddy in Basingstoke. 


“The event is taking place in the town for the first time and we’re calling on local ladies to muck in to make it a huge success. 


“We’ve no doubt that they’ve got the fighting spirit to get down and dirty in the bid to beat cancer sooner.


“Pretty Muddy has all the fun and camaraderie of our much-loved 5km event – with an opportunity to mess about in mud. 


“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast. Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around. 


“It’s about an army of women coming together in the fight against cancer.”
She added: “But for women who want to push themselves to get a bit fitter in the year ahead, signing up now and planning to raise money for life-saving research could prove more of an incentive than the traditional New Year’s resolution to shift the post-Christmas pounds. 


“This is a great opportunity to be stronger, braver and pinker in 2016.”


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


Last year, 2,104 women took part in Race for Life at Down Grange Sports Complex in Basingstoke and raised an incredible £107,300, with money still coming in from sponsorship pledges. 


This year, organisers of the Basingstoke events need 5,500 women and girls to take part in the weekend of challenges being held in the town, to help raise £270,000 for Cancer Research UK. 


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


Fiona said: “We’re calling on the brave ladies of Basingstoke to harness their fighting spirit once more and really show cancer who’s boss.


“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 take part in the events in Basingstoke 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.”


To enter one of the Basingstoke Race for Life events today visit the website raceforlife.org, where there is also more information, or call 0300 123 0770.