To want to do a charitable organised 5k run that doesn't exclude men, and only supports cancer charities?

[Arana]

Cancer research is a worthy cause and all that, but I'm pretty appalled that there's no other charities seem to get a look in?

And you always have to wear bloody pink.

Really? I haven't noticed but I guess I will see it everywhere now you mentioned it!!

Perhaps other charities haven't set up/organised runs? If there is one you are passionate about could you set one up?

Set one up then. We are currently setting up a sponsored walk for autism awareness day which will hopefully become an annual event in our local area

I was just about to suggest that you set one up too.

Afterall, the existing runs were only set up because somebody felt passionate about that particular cause to organise/co-ordinate/advertise it!!

Do it!

MN we should totally set one up for the Anthony Nolan trust for MrsDV!

Smaller charities don't tend to organise the runs themselves because they are very expensive to organise. They have to pay for first aid support, the organisation of a venue, markers all the way round and the insurance cost would probably be huge.

There are 5k runs that people can enter, but I'm not sure how many of them there are. I did one in Hyde park for a local MS charity once, and there were people at that walking or running for a huge variety of different charities. I can't remember what it was called, but I think it was sponsored by Flora.

Kayano - great idea!

OP if you feel that strongly about it, I'd contact the organisers of the race for life, or similar and ask if you can speak with someone about the logistics, legalities and cost of setting one up.

Then approach potential sponsors, or whatever.

Failing that, organise one through your school. Or similar.

pretty sure the CF trust does some....

Deafblind Scotland has an annual 5K and 10K run, this year it's on Saturday 21st April. It's a very worthwhile charity (although they all are) but is very often overlooked.

It depends on where you are though, the run is held in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow?

I think it's the British Heart Foundation that the London - Brighton cycle ride is in aide of.

Saying that though I do wish all big events like that could be like the London Marathon in so far as you turn up and run/cycle/swim/hop/pick your nose for whatever charity you choose.

I really do not like the way the breast cancer charities have uber feminised it - excluding men from the race for life etc. Men can get breast cancer too so why exclude them?

Yes. As others have said - organise one yourself if you're not happy with the options currently available.

Parkrun have regular 5k runs all over the UK. Anyone can join and they're not charitable events as such but you could set up your own sponsorship site/form ask your friends to sponsor you to join one.

I've done Race for Life twice but am not sure if I'd do it again because of the issue of excluding men. Men suffer from cancer and lose loved ones to it as well. The organisers have actively chosen to exclude men and I don't really think that's justifiable. My dh lost both his parents to cancer and would have liked to have taken part.

I'm not sure if I buy the "organise one yourself if you're not happy" argument, either. Would you say that if someone had set up a race for men that excluded women? Most of us don't have the time, resources or skills to set up a major event; doesn't mean we have no right to comment if we think that a policy of excluding a particular group of people isn't justified.

I'm doing Cambridge half marathon next month, which is open to both men and women and the ratio of people signed up is apparently about 50/50. However even though it's not part of Race for Life and organised by an independent events company, all participants are being asked to raise money for Cancer Research. I would have preferred to be able to choose my own charity.

Agree completely OP. Oddly the Race for Life 10 k is mixed, i have no idea why.

check out your local hospice as they often have fundraising events and do fantastic work.

I have a sneaking suspicion that we weren't supposed to give such positive responses...

why hasn't the OP returned?

British heart foundation do one local here every year, ad always one for local hospice.

I would happily do one of Anthony Nolan too, although I have always done race for life as its cancer charity too.

Do any 5k or 10k of your choice, and get sponsorship for a charity of your choice.

I've raised this with Cancer Research UK. Race for Life is a women-only event because participants have asked to keep it that way. But you don't have to wear pink!
The money raised funds research into all type of cancer; not just women's cancers. That's a common misconception albeit an understandable one. But they have other events that are open to all. Their new night walk thing is an example.

Have a look on the Runners World website. They list forthcoming race by region, distance and organiser. Lots of charities run races, at various lengths. You don't have to get sponsored - very often the entry fee includes a donation. The RW website even lets you enter online for many of the races too. This is how DH organises his racing calendar - he does mostly 10K races but there are all sorts of distances, and what's nice is they even tell you about the going e.g. muddy hill climb or flat, urban park and the size of the race. You can also review races and comment on things like the organisation side of it (v important for runners that there are enough toilets, chip timing, decent parking etc).

Sport relief? I don't know the distance.
I've grotty knees and don't run.
I've done a sponsored swim for them insteed.

Be a rebel. Wear blue.

I agree with looking at athletics and running webistes and running a noncharity 5k race. They are cheaper and less likely to be oversubscribed. You can give a donation to charity if you want, but as a runner I don't really see why running races should be linked in the public's mind with charity when golf and tennis matches aren't. It's just another sport. My charitable donations aren't linked to the races I run.

Do you want to run, to give to charity, or are you just annoyed with Race for Life?

It is easier than easy to do the first two with no reference to the third.

As others have said, running clubs organise lots of races at all distances including 5k, if you want to be sponsored you can arrange that. If you want to get into running, just do it, or get some friends together for support, then, once you can run 3 or 4 miles join a club.

Lots of charities offer sponsored places in the London marathon and other major races. The sponsorship level, as well as the training, is a pretty serious undertaking though. Places are sought after, so they can be a way for serious runners who've applied unsuccessfully for years to buy a place - at a cost of some £k. For smaller, local races without the pressure on places, small charities will encourage you to enter yourself then raise sponsorship and may support and publicise you.