Hundreds visit Nowton Park for Bury St Edmunds Cancer Research UK Race for Life

Published: 18:39, 10 October 2021

| Updated: 10:33, 14 October 2021

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, hundreds of runners came together at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.

"Although it doesn't change that you've lost important people, it's a great way of remembering them," said Juliet Nichols who lost her mother to cancer five years ago.

Despite numbers being limited to allow for social distancing, an impressive £38,500 was raised for the race, with each runner hitting the minimum £50 target to compete.

Race for Life in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds. Picture by Mark Westley.

Statistically, one in two people will get cancer in their lifetimes and no one is more aware of that than Ellie Moore, whose son Toby was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a form of kidney cancer, a few days after his first birthday.

"Luckily they were able to remove the tumour and Toby only has a few more rounds of chemotherapy left, but Toby has remained so happy throughout his treatment, he's so brave," said Ellie.

This year's race was split into four waves, with 10K race leaving first, followed by the three-kilometre and the five-kilometre split in two halves.

All the runners heard an inspirational story from a cancer survivor before they ran, with a moment taken to reflect on why they were running.

Although only entering the race two days before, Kat Owen was one of the first women to cross the 10K finish line, alongside her dog Teddy.

"This is such an important cause, I lost my auntie 11 years ago to cancer and this disease impacts so many lives," said Kat upon completion of the race.

Marshals were on hand throughout the day, giving vital motivation to runners to spur them on, as well as ensuring the safety of all involved.

"Race for Life is a fantastic event, not only to pull people together in celebration and in memory of others, but we raise vital funds to allow the progression of cancer research" said Gemma Turpin, senior event manager for Cancer Research UK.

Ellie Moore, Toby Soames, Olivia Soames and Charlotte Morphew at Race for Life. Picture by Mark Westley.

Hannah Steed, Darcy Marper, Madison Marper and Hannah Freemantle at Race for Life. Picture by Mark Westley.

Race for Life in Bury St Edmunds. Picture by Mark Westley.

Video supplied by West Suffolk College students Olivia Paton and Matthew Canhan.

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