elite: supports Cancer Research UK northern event programme

REGIONAL fitness provider elite: has announced a new fundraising campaign with Cancer Research UK, supporting the charity’s Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events across the North. The announcement coincides with World Cancer Awareness Day which takes place internationally on 4 February 2020.

Working together, the elite: team will get behind the charity in an effort to smash a fundraising target of £5,000 as well as raising awareness with staff and customers across its five Northern studio bases – Newcastle, Cramlington, Durham, Stockton and Leeds.

Staff and customers from elite: will also be also be taking part in six events and getting involved in ‘energizer’ exercises at the start line – helping thousands of people in the crowds get ready for the event!

The Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s biggest series of fundraising events. Taking place across the UK, the events include 5k and 10k routes for participants to walk, jog or run, as well as the fun Pretty Muddy obstacle events.

Paul Alexander, Founder of elite, said: “We’re delighted to support Cancer Research UK and get behind the Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events! Our team are passionate about fitness and we can’t wait to get involved with the events across the North over the next few months.

“You’ll be able to spot our team helping out at each event, we’re already planning some really fun activities including on course bootcamps, so watch this space for more details in the coming months!

“Cancer has such a huge impact on everyone – and it’s a cause that’s close to the heart of many of our customers and staff, with many having been through their own battles with this awful disease. We’re delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile charity – hopefully fundraising thousands of pounds and encouraging lots of customers to sign up to this amazing fitness challenge!”

Race for Life started 25 years ago as a women-only event. The first event was held in 1994, where 750 participants raised £48,000. Since that point, Race for Life has grown into a series of hundreds of events across the country, raising nearly £500 million towards beating cancer over the last quarter of a century.

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. That’s why money raised through the Race for Life events is vital. It funds 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.

In 2019, the Race for Life opened its doors to men for the first time, making it a truly inclusive event, giving people the chance to come together with their family and friends, and join the movement to beat cancer.

Victoria Lambert, Area Events Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with elite for some of our Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events this year. With their help we hope to encourage more people to take part in their local Race for Life and raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“Our events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. Participants take part at their own pace – taking as much time as they like to complete the course. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. For others, it’s a jog or a run.

“Although ‘Race’ features in the name, our events are not competitive. Instead, ‘the Race for Life’ is about our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive. We are excited to work together to help beat cancer sooner.”

elite: supported events are:

• Middlesbrough 5k and 10k – Albert Park – 31^stMay 2020 – start time 11am
• Leeds 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids – Temple Newsam – 31^stMay 2020 – 5k and 10k start at 10am, kids PM waves at 12pm and 12:15pm, adult waves from 1pm
• Darlington 5k – South Park – 7^thJune 2020 – start time 11am
• Durham 5k – St Leonards School Field – 28^thJune 2020 – start time 11am
• Newcastle 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids – Town Moor – 12^thJuly 2020 – 5k and 10k start at 10am, kids PM waves at 12:15pm and 12:30pm, adult waves from 1pm
• Chester-Le-Street Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids – Riverside Park – 5^thSeptember 2020 – Kids waves 9:15am and 9:30am, adult waves from 10am

elite: offer a range of innovative fitness and weight loss programmes for all – ranging from their fully refundable Transform weight loss challenge, monthly memberships to private group training and corporate packages.