Brentwood residents are getting ready to Race for Life
The charity races are also being held in Basildon, Southend and Chelmsford and are open to people of all ages and abilities.
The annual event invites people to put their best foot forward to raise money for Cancer Research UK
Submitted by Cancer Research UK
Essex residents are being asked once again to sign up for Race For Life events that will be taking place across the county.
This year, participants can choose to run, jog or walk a five-kilometre, ten-kilometre or 'Pretty Muddy' course, raising sponsorship money for doing so. Money raised at the Race for Life events enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Race for Life is open to participants of all abilities (Photo: Kevin Michael Ladden Photography)
Michael Jarvis, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in the East of England, said: "Everyone can play their part to help beat cancer. January is the perfect time for people to commit to getting a little more active. By signing up to Race for Life there's the chance to raise money for life-saving research.
"Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children's future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
"For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins the race. For others it's a jog, and some may even opt to push themselves harder and take part in the 10k distance challenge.
"But what is for certain is we're looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities. Race for Life in Brentwood, Basildon, Chelmsford and Southend will be fun, emotional, colourful, uplifting and unforgettable this year."
The pretty muddy races add more mud into the mix (Photo: Kevin Michael Ladden Photography)
Race for Life events are open to people of all ages and abilities. Dependent on location, women, men and children can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k distances, whilst there is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course, and there is a Pretty Muddy Kids option.
Below is which distances and courses are available at which locations and when:
3k, 5k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids at Gloucester Park, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon on Sunday, June 19.
3k, 5k and 10k at Weald Country Park, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex on Saturday, May 21.
5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids at Hylands Park, Greenbury Way, Chelmsford on Sunday, July 17.
5k at Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sunday, May 15
Race for Life across the UK this year will follow current government guidance to protect against Covid-19. Hand sanitiser will be provided at all events.
Michael added: "We hope none of our Race for Life events are cancelled in 2022 and will do everything we can to keep people safe. If we do have to cancel any of our events, we will let participants know as soon as possible and they will be entitled to a full refund."
Take part with your friends to raise money for Cancer Research UK (Photo: Lesley Martin)
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer, including: bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children's cancers and leukaemia.
Oonagh Turnbull, head of health campaigns at Tesco, said: "This will be our 21st year in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Race for Life, and we hope this year can be the biggest yet."
Sign up today to run, jog, walk or even skip your way to the finish line to raise money for Cancer Research UK (Photo: Lesley martin)
Anyone who signs up to take part during the month of January can claim a special 50 per cent off the entry fee, as part of a half-price sale, by using the code RFL22J50 on the website.
For more information, visit:  https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/
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