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AIBU?

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Original poster

to wonder why boys can't run the race for life?

189 replies

ParadiseChick · 28/04/2013 20:53

Trying to register, my 11year old nephew fancied it, but no space on the online form for anything other than ms, miss, Mrs, Dr, rev or prof in the title space. Is it women only?

OP posts:
toboldlygo · 29/04/2013 10:07

Dare to criticise R4L and I'm clearly bashing disabled people and people with cancer. Hmm I actually said that it was a brilliant idea for non-runners. If it takes all of the pinkification, 'you go sister' and keeping it women only to encourage participation from people who wouldn't otherwise run a step then so be it, long may it continue.

As the OP seems to have some running experience and is looking for events that will be more inclusive of her DN I was just suggesting that there are plenty of other options available. Anyone already accustomed to running may well find R4L a bit frustrating and not enjoyable, as I did (though I raised money all the same before anyone nitpicks on that as well).

Parkrun is very inclusive and new ones are springing up everywhere - no reason you couldn't run one of those and make a donation to charity. Local fun runs and running club events, Tough Mudder, Brutal series, various mountain/fell running events, canicross trailrunners, Mud Runner series, XRunner - huge range of distances, locations and difficulty, all can be run for charity.

ThingummyBob · 29/04/2013 10:19

I think the 'Movember' tache growing thing is fast becoming the male equivalent to RFL in that it unites men from all walks of life doing something positive for cancer research charities.

Meh. Its all good, don't enter if you don't like the ethos OP. There are loads of fundraisers/serious races and everything in between each year, I'm not sure its an issue tbh Confused

KansasCityOctopus · 29/04/2013 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SirChenjin · 29/04/2013 10:32

Well, at the risk of admitting I hadn't bothered to read all the stuff about Race for Life I'm another who didn't realise it was a women-only event. Hmm, not sure how I feel about it now. Don't like anything to be segregated when it comes to fundraising.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 29/04/2013 10:33

What Kansas said.

toboldlygo · 29/04/2013 10:40

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NorthernLurker · 29/04/2013 10:44

It's a woman only event. It's successful. Why should either of those aspects be changed? men can't do it no, they'll have to do something else. Hardly earth shattering.

NorthernLurker · 29/04/2013 10:46

toboldlygo - I think it's you who are being rude.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 29/04/2013 10:46

This reply has been deleted

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SirChenjin · 29/04/2013 10:48

Just seems sad that in this day and age events are segregated on the basis that you have either a penis or a vagina. Ah well, 'twas always thus I guess.

Forwardscatter · 29/04/2013 10:49

alias
It's a women only event but men can take part in other ways by supporting, cheering, volunteering. The warm ups are excruciatingly naff, but it's otherwise a great event and emotional at times when you read the messages people wear.

LippiPongstocking · 29/04/2013 10:51

There ARE Men's events. There ARE Women's events. There ARE MIXED events. Find the event you like and run it.

R4L is not, btw, a "sporting" event, it's actually a fundraising event. A highly successful one. If it didn't exist, cancer research would be in a far worse state than it is.

To get back to the OP, your nephew can run, but you can't register him online. There are other events which will be easier to have your nephew run alongside you though.

Forwardscatter · 29/04/2013 10:56

Thought that using Kaiser Chiefs in the ad this year cut through much of the naff very well.

But if naff is what it takes to get the pounds in, naff it is.

bollockstoit · 29/04/2013 11:02

I'm doing it this year. I have just started running again. I'm overweight. I'm glad there is a race that I can do that's not overly competitive, and has a supportive atmosphere. I won't be wearing anything pink though. And I'm glad the money I raise will go to research into cancers that affect women, men and children. I wouldn't feel able to do a mixed race at the moment. I'm sure not many men (or women) would begrudge me this.

VoiceofUnreason · 29/04/2013 11:33

Next you women will be wanting the same prize money as the men for the ladies singles championship at Wimbledon, despite the fact that you have to play fewer games...

Oh, hang on a minute....

:)

LippiPongstocking · 29/04/2013 12:06

Yes, because Wimbledon and R4L are precisely the same thing. Women used to get less prize money at Wimbledon - the organisers raised it to get publicity, no other reason than that.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 29/04/2013 12:11

I did it in Glasgow last year. I just wanted to run a 5k and that was the most convenient one to do. A few people sponsored me, but I didn't care about the charity in particular. But, at the starting line, I got into a conversation with a scientific research person who works for the organisation and she told me about the work we were funding. That was really nice to hear just before starting the race.

During the race, I saw women with t shirts printed with the names and photos of loved ones they were running in memory of, and it was very touching.

The noise of tens of thousands of feet pounding the pavement, the spectators cheering, the bagpipes at every kilometre... it was all very exciting.

I am really glad that I did it.

MNHQ
YoniMeKateMumsnet · 29/04/2013 12:13

Hello all,

We've just deleted a few personal attacks, so we thought we'd drop you a reminder of our talk guidelines. Please do report anything else you'd like us to look at.

VoiceofUnreason · 29/04/2013 12:21

Lippi, I was being ironic, hence the smile. Although it wasn't raised for publicity, it was raised because the top female tennis players kicked off huge time about 'equality'.

PickledLiver · 29/04/2013 12:41

aliasjoey yes he was. Men aren't excluded from the event though, just the race. I wish that twat had been though Angry

Original poster
ParadiseChick · 29/04/2013 12:50

So the basis seems to work on the assumption that men are professional, competative, good and fast runners. M

OP posts:
toboldlygo · 29/04/2013 12:53

I see that the post telling me to fuck off has remained. Hmm

For the last time - as a non runner, someone just starting out, someone who is disabled, who is recovering from injury, who may feel intimidated by running alongside men, who are sensitive about their weight or appearance when exercising, who need that supportive atmosphere to be able to run or walk or exercise or whatever - it's great. Really, truly great.

For the OP who was looking for an event her male relative can take part in, not so much. Nor for anyone actually wanting to run the course without being painfully jostled and squashed by a horde of people who have overestimated their ability and chosen the wrong start group. Nor for anyone who objects on principle to it being a women only event. Lots of alternatives available though.

I apologise for my inflammatory use of 'shuffled' but I did state that I was being unreasonable and narky.

Perhaps they need to look again at the start lines - the first group to start I recall being defined as those expecting to finish the course in something like under 18 minutes, which is a very pro time, but the next group was something like up to 35 minutes. Huge difference between those running 20 minute times and those doing 35, it created a massive bottleneck. Walkers were at the back and had all the time and support they needed to finish.

pickledginger · 29/04/2013 12:57

Your nephew can run as he's 11. What's your issue now?

MNHQ
YoniMeKateMumsnet · 29/04/2013 13:00

@toboldlygo

I see that the post telling me to fuck off has remained. Hmm

For the last time - as a non runner, someone just starting out, someone who is disabled, who is recovering from injury, who may feel intimidated by running alongside men, who are sensitive about their weight or appearance when exercising, who need that supportive atmosphere to be able to run or walk or exercise or whatever - it's great. Really, truly great.

For the OP who was looking for an event her male relative can take part in, not so much. Nor for anyone actually wanting to run the course without being painfully jostled and squashed by a horde of people who have overestimated their ability and chosen the wrong start group. Nor for anyone who objects on principle to it being a women only event. Lots of alternatives available though.

I apologise for my inflammatory use of 'shuffled' but I did state that I was being unreasonable and narky.

Perhaps they need to look again at the start lines - the first group to start I recall being defined as those expecting to finish the course in something like under 18 minutes, which is a very pro time, but the next group was something like up to 35 minutes. Huge difference between those running 20 minute times and those doing 35, it created a massive bottleneck. Walkers were at the back and had all the time and support they needed to finish.

Hi toboldlygo

Sorry, it wasn't intentional. Please do report anything you want us to look at.

Original poster
ParadiseChick · 29/04/2013 13:41

Am I required to have an issue?

Yes, DN is 11 and can run with me. Although I'm looking into other entry level fun run type things that even DH could join us for.

He isn't a professional competitive runner, would be nice to run it together but we can't.

My DN asked specifically about R4L as his grandad (my dad) died last year of bowel cancer. He knows Cancer Research as a charity as we collected for them at the funeral. Shoot us now for wanting to participate in a highly publicised event for a charity an 11 year old relates to.

For me, a very novice runner with not much knowledge of events and a TV, R4L is the first thing that comes to mind as it is so well publicised as an event. I'm not advocating women only, men only, dog only races - it would just be nice to particrpate together. Lucky for DN the year he's asked to do this he can, won't be able to next year which is a shame.

But, no issue, just interested and open to people's experiences and views on the matter - is that alright with you? Hmm

OP posts: