A RALLYING call is being issued to the women and girls of Reading to unite and show cancer who’s boss.

With less than two weeks to go until the town is turned into a sea of pink as Race for Life returns, organisers are sending out a heart-felt SOS to local ladies to join the pink army as fewer than expected have registered for the life-saving fundraiser.

Organisers are hoping to recruit 6,000 but so far only 4,500 have entered the events taking place at Prospect Park on the weekend of July 16 and 17.

In particular they are calling on fun seeking groups of friends and family to consider getting down and dirty on the mission to beat cancer sooner by taking part in Pretty Muddy.

Saturday’s 5k course is filled with fun obstacles and promises plenty of laughs – and a good splattering of mud!

On Sunday more than 400 women will take on the 10k event before hundreds more join together for the 5k race through the park.

Fewer numbers means there will be less money raised that is ploughed in to funding vital research to help beat cancer sooner.

Online entry closes on Thursday 14 July and mums, daughters, grannies, sisters, friends and workmates who want to take part are being urged to sign up.

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Simon Burley, event manager for Reading Race for Life, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that 4,500 women have entered the city’s Race for Life.

"But we are concerned that places have been slow to fill, while other events around the UK have been snapped up quickly.

“So we’re urging anyone who has been thinking about it to commit and take action today.

“It could be that many women have simply forgotten to enter this year or, having completed the 5k/10k/Pretty Muddy event previously, feel that they don’t need to take part again. But we want to remind these ‘missing’ women just how important their contribution is.

“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Research is very expensive and the only way we can afford to fund it, and save lives, is with their help.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco for the past 15 years, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, marathon and hiking events which raises millions of pounds every year to fund research to help beat 200 types of cancer.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across Reading and the UK.

Simon added: “Taking part in Race for Life, alongside thousands of like minded women, is incredibly motivating.

"The atmosphere at all the events is full of emotion as participants wear signs on their backs declaring their reasons for taking part. Many will be remembering loved ones lost to cancer or celebrating the lives of people dear to them who have survived.

“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are about an army of women crossing the finish line together in the fight against cancer. Whatever the distance, every step taken around the course will help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured.”

To enter Race for Life visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.