WOMEN are invited to make a date to beat cancer by signing up for this year’s Race for Life.

Event organisers are urging women across South Essex to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a difference, by taking on the challenge in honour of their loved ones.

The 5km Race for Life and Pretty Muddy obstacle course will take place at Gloucester Park, Basildon, over the weekend of Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.

The event, organised by Cancer Research UK, will be at Garon Park, Southend, on Sunday, May 10.

Organiser Gill Burgess said: “Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to spend time with the people we love. For this reason it’s also the perfect date to enter Race for Life.

“Everyone who takes part in Race for Life, and raises money for life-saving research, will be playing a crucial role in helping more men, women and children survive cancer. They will be giving them the chance to have more time with the people they love and to create more precious memories together.”

“Pledging to take part in Race for Life, alongside thousands of like-minded women, is incredibly motivating.

The atmosphere on the day is full of emotion.

“Participants wear signs on their backs declaring their reasons for taking part.

“Many will be remembering loved ones lost to cancer or celebrating the lives of people dear to them who have survived.”

Last year, the Pretty Muddy 5km obstacle course came to Basildon for the second time, and is returning following a whole-hearted welcome from the thousands of women who took part.

Participants can complete the course at their own pace, by climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around.

In 2014, 7,389 women took part in Race for Life weekend in Basildon, raising £430,709.

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding.

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the Seventies, but more money is needed to help find a cure.

For more information, or to sign up to Race for Life, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 1230770.