THE second annual men-only fundraising race was also held in Rowntree Park York, yesterday, with a greater turnout than last year.

R U Taking The P?, a 5km run in support of Yorkshire Cancer Research, was set up last year by Brian Hughes, to raise awareness of male-specific conditions such as prostate cancer.

Last year, 230 men took part, and Brian said numbers had increased for the 2011 event: He said: “It went brilliantly, absolutely wonderful.

“We had people from Newcastle, Scarborough, Holmfirth, Pickering and York, about 290 in total, with 45 of them registering to take part on the day.”

Last year, the event, which is backed by Run In England and North Yorkshire Athletics Network, raised £13,000 towards the charity, and Brian said he was hopeful a similar amount would be reached this year, but the event was fun regardless of how much was raised.

He said: “We had people dressed up as Compo and Nora Batty, bears, gorillas, and opera singers who sang all the way round.

“Harry Gration ran too, and seemed to do well, and we had a lot of prostate cancer survivors who walked around the course. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

Brian said he wanted to thank Professor Maitland and Susannah Todd at Yorkshire Cancer Research, photographer Wendy Binns, and all runners and supporters.

York Press: The Press - Comment

Everyone a winner

FATHER’S Day turned pink yesterday, as thousands of women gathered at Knavesmire for the York Race for Life.

They ran for loved ones, for friends and work colleagues, or simply for the fun of it. And there was no need for dads to feel left out: men had their own 5k race at Rowntree Park.

Both were fantastic events. And with all the money raised going to cancer research, everyone was a winner.

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