Cancer Research UK is celebrating the power of the unlikeliest athletes – the ‘athleasts’ – with the launch of Race for Life 2026, showing you don’t need to be an athlete to make a life-saving difference.
With a quarter (24%) of the population believing you need to be ‘extremely fit’ or an ‘athlete' like Dame Kelly Holmes to take part in a charity race, Cancer Research UK has teamed up with Dame Kelly herself to educate the nation that “You don’t need to be Dame Kelly Holmes to do a Race for Life” - and why it’s important that the UK’s 'athleasts' get involved.
Looking at why the nation doesn’t run, new research from Cancer Research UK shows a third (32%) dislike it, with a quarter (24%) of the population believing you need to be ‘extremely fit’ or an ‘athlete’ like Dame Kelly Holmes to take part in a charity race. Other people least likely to sign up to Race for Life include those who don’t feel fit enough (33%) or don’t have the time (16%).
With someone in the UK diagnosed with cancer every two minutes, the charity is urging people to take on a small challenge that can make a big impact. If you’re not usually the type to sign up for a charity run, you’re exactly who Race for Life is looking for. Race for Life events are across the country from May to July and are made up of a community of people with a collective aim to beat cancer.
Whether you identify as an ‘athleast’ or not, there's a Race for Life for you. No matter your age, fitness level or reason for getting out there, find an event near you and sign up today.
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