RACE FOR LIFE

When I heard that Race For Life was coming to Plymouth, I wanted to see what it was about. Race For Life raises funds for Cancer Research UK and the event was only open to women who pay an entry fee and run either 5km or 10km. It ticks almost all the boxes for me for a charity to support as it promotes a healthy lifestyle to help solve a major health problem. Anything associated with healthy lifstyles attracts my support and this is why I give my time to Devon Wildlife Trust and Sustrans.

I cycled in to Plymouth on NCN2 and found the roads curiously quiet. "Maybe everyone is ahead of me and taking part in the Race?" I thought. I stopped a bike cafe, Rockets and Rascals on the Barbican for a snack break and still everything was quiet. Then I found it, the Race was at the other end of the Barbican with routes around Plymouth's spectacular waterfront and Hoe. There were seemingly thousands of people both taking part and watching.

My picture is taken with The Citadel on the right. I want to say well done to the City of Plymouth and Cancer Research UK for organising this.

My criticism of the event concerns travelling there. The start is on National Cycle Route 27, a major route in Devon used by many people and one would think that Cancer Research UK directions would include cycling. But it unhelpfully excludes this, instead asking people to come by bus, train or car share. The only method of travelling known to promote health is yet again excluded. This is a shame on such an otherwise good day.