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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I was really irritated by Race For Life yesterday.

146 replies

EleanorHandbasket · 03/06/2013 08:40

I did it, along with other members of my family, including myAunt who has terminal liver cancer (she started and finished with us but sat out the bulk of it). We ambled round, we weren't in it for the running (I could have done but not my Mum).

It was a very emotional and wonderful day, and Cancer Research do amazing things.

But it was all so PINK. And there was Zumba-esque warm ups, and they called us all 'girls' or 'ladies', and there were half naked men to tittilate us during the Zumba bit and it was just all so bloody GIRLY and patronising.

It's me, isn't it? I'm becoming a professionally offended type.

I just found it unnecessary.

OP posts:

Meerkatwhiskers · 03/06/2013 09:13

I own south and a town and country track did it yesterday too. Wonder if we were at the same one (d. I love the pink and fluffiness and donned my head boppers and tutu lol. My Nan is a breast cancer survivor and I'm proud to be able to do this for her.

Meerkatwhiskers · 03/06/2013 09:15

Wtf happened to my post?? It went all wrong!! Damn you kindle fire!

Meerkatwhiskers · 03/06/2013 09:17

How my post should look

I did it yesterday too. Wonder if we were at the same one (down south and a town and country track). I love the pink and fluffiness and donned my head boppers and tutu lol. My Nan is a breast cancer survivor and I'm proud to be able to do this for her.

crashdoll · 03/06/2013 09:19

Like Birds said, the original concept of women only was a good one. It has now descended into pink fluffiness and while I'm not anti-pink, it's just got really twee.

Altinkum · 03/06/2013 09:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GetOrfMoiLand · 03/06/2013 09:32

Haha at meerkats madness.

I loathe the word ladies. Every time there is a thread on here which starts 'ladies' it makes me what to rant, but I stop myself otherwise I would look like the loon I am.

I just can't stand it, it sounds so old fashioned, like ladies dinner dances at the rotary club,. Just use the word women. People don't go round calling blokes gentlemen, unless they are toastmasters.

Original poster

EleanorHandbasket · 03/06/2013 09:33

EXACTLY GetOrf.

Meerkats, sounds like it could have been the same one. It really was fab, we raised lots of money and there was lots of emotion and laughs but it just left me feeling a bit grim.

OP posts:

mrs2cats · 03/06/2013 09:35

I did the Race for Life a few years back and it certainly wasn't as you're describing. However, dd who's 10 asked the other day why it's a women's only race stating that men get cancer too or have loved ones who have been through cancer.

Lizzylou · 03/06/2013 09:37

It would have annoyed me as well.
I did a women only 5km a good few years ago (think it was before Race for Life started/before it got so huge) and that was far less twee.

An atmosphere where women feel less embarrassed/intimidated when exercising is a good thing though.
Without half naked men and the crappy labels would be best though.

InNeedOfSense · 03/06/2013 09:39

Oh dear! Well, being me, I totally failed to even notice the pink sparkliness of Race for Life, and asked a male friend to do it with me. :) Is it women-only? hadn't got round to booking yet, so maybe back to the drawing board...!

I am the person who bought a pink glittery card for my son's 7th birthday, though - I must be gender-stereotype-blind or something!

mrsjay · 03/06/2013 09:41

It is a womens race/walk it is supposed to be for womens cancer and the girlie thing is its there advertising you also get women dressed in tutus and fairy wings, I think as annoying it is (and it i hate pinky fairy wings) you just need to go with it, well done to you for entering and the women in your life doing it with you, some women dont mind being called ladies and doing zumba Yab (alittle) U

Snazzywaitingforsummer · 03/06/2013 09:43

It is women-only. My DH would like to do it but can't. I really, really don't want to be 'what about the menz' but I do think they should reconsider on the participation. They use male voiceovers in the 'we're coming to get you' ads which seems a bit odd considering - it would be more consistent to have all women.

InNeedOfSense · 03/06/2013 09:44

Well it's a good job I didn't book myself and my friend on! :)

Are there any equally worthy but less gender specific running events around?

JugglingFromHereToThere · 03/06/2013 09:47

I think they should do more to make it inclusive.
My main problem with it is the entry cost. People should be able to just raise what they can, and everyone should be able to take pat.
I went along with my daughter one year to watch some of my colleagues take part, we ended up running round the lake too as my DD decided she wanted to just go for it. I felt we'd contributed what we could by sponsoring others.
I'd prefer it to be just go along and join in, wear what you like, contribute what you can.
So, more inclusive, less demanding, more accepting of diversity - including what styles and colours people want to wear. Some will go with the pink and sparkly thing as that's understandably the breast cancer awareness colour.
There's more than one type of cancer though. Does Race for Life raise money and awareness for them all ?

anothershittynickname · 03/06/2013 09:48

YABU - VU!!

Does it matter? Really? As long as the awareness and funds are being raised does it matter if it pink and girly or sky blue pink with yellow dots?!

I wish I could run with my mum this year and not just in her memory!!

JessicaBeatriceFletcher · 03/06/2013 09:50

There was a thread a few weeks ago about why Race for Life was women only. It was fascinating to see that there were definite "no, this should be women only" and "why can't there be an event for both sexes?" camps. The former were particularly vociferous.

mrsjay · 03/06/2013 09:52

TBH i think race for life should never change I do think it is ok to be just for women or just for me, I am all for equality but sometimes women (and men) like the bonding of it just being for them ,

pigletmania · 03/06/2013 09:54

I am sorry about your Aunt , bu in the nicest possible way yabvu, lighten up!

pigletmania · 03/06/2013 09:56

There should definitely be a separate Race For Life for men too, after all they are also affected by Cancer. It's very sexist

InNeedOfSense · 03/06/2013 10:01

But, from a pragmatic POV, my male friend and I want to do a run for cancer together - is there one, or do we just get friends and family to sponsor us running our own route and give the money to Cancer Research?

badguider · 03/06/2013 10:02

I think it's embarrassing that they feel the need to turn a walk/run for breast cancer into a giant hen party to get women to take part.

In the late 90s I did the hyde park 5k for women and it was not pink at all. It was a celebration of women running and walking for health and charity and confidence.

There are cancer research 10k races around the country for both sexes and they're not pink and fluffy. Personally if I wanted to support womens' cancers I would do one of them or I would do an ordinary 5k race but with sponsorship for cancer care.

mrsjay · 03/06/2013 10:03

only

what a race like this do you mean

mrsjay · 03/06/2013 10:03

oops like didnt come out right but you get the gist

badguider · 03/06/2013 10:03

here's a list of cancer research runs for both sexes:

support.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/find-an-event/charity-runs

mrsjay · 03/06/2013 10:04

www.manontherun.org/

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