ORGANISERS of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Knutsford have cancelled the much-loved event for 2020.

The charity has decided to withdraw all 400 Race for Life events across the UK this year to protect the country’s health as restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the coronavirus pandemic continue.

This includes the Pretty Muddy events and Race for Life 5K and 10K events at Tatton Park, which will no longer take place on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4.

The Tatton Park events had been scheduled to take place in June, but were rescheduled to October several weeks ago.

Participants who have already signed up will be contacted by the charity.

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year as a direct result of the pandemic.

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesman in Cheshire, said: “We remain committed to making progress for people affected by cancer but now more than ever, support from the public will be vital. We simply will not be able to continue funding our life-saving work without it.

“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised £890 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.

“We know Race for Life is such a treasured part of the UK’s events calendar, and it is with a heavy heart that for the first time in 27 years we have to announce that it won’t be taking place.

The safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff is however essential.

“We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home in these challenging times.”

Women and men across Cheshire are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge, in their garden or their nearest green space.

People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their own special challenge.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of 5K, 10K and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year.