11 pictures from this weekend's Race for Life Pretty Muddy

People across the Staffordshire and Shropshire region united against cancer on Saturday (May 4) by taking part in Race for Life ‘Pretty Muddy’.

Inspirational Staffordshire mum Natalie Burrows and her husband Steve led the charge at Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy at Weston Park to raise funds for life-saving research.

Their daughters Ellie (8) and Maisie (5) started the obstacle course race by sounding the horn.

The event was the first of 32 Race for Life events taking place in the West Midlands region across 16 venues this summer involving more than 25,000 participants.

More than 1,800 people walked, jogged or ran the Weston Park Pretty Muddy 5k and the Pretty Muddy Kids Race for Life courses - mud splattered 5k obstacle courses including mud pits and inflatable slides.

More than £180,000 was raised for Cancer Research UK - vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

Natalie, from Stafford, said: “Thanks to research I’m still here to see my children grow up. It’s good to give something back.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was still grieving as I had just lost my dad from bladder cancer and I lost my son in 2020 during Covid when I was 33 weeks pregnant with him.

“I felt sorry for my girls. They’d just lost their grandad, and their mum had a cancer diagnosis.

“To be given a cancer diagnosis is frightening. It took a week or two for it to sink in and work out what it would mean for me and my family.”

“Why do I Race for Life? I Race for Life for everyone who is going through cancer right now.”

Every year, around 33,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

Natalie, aged 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2022, just weeks after her dad Rob died of bladder cancer. Further testing showed that she carried a faulty version of a gene called PALB2 – the same gene that has affected TV presenter Sarah Beeny – putting her at increased risk of the cancer returning.

She chose to have both breasts removed to prevent her cancer returning. Now cancer free she is awaiting a second mastectomy.

Cancer Research UK funded scientists discovered the PALB2 gene, that normally protects against breast cancer, and worked out that up to 50 in every 100 women with a faulty version of the gene will develop breast cancer by the age of 70.

Natalie said: “When I got the results back from the genetic testing in March 2023 it was like being given the cancer diagnosis all over again.

“And that meant I then had to have chemotherapy – which was the hardest part of my journey. I also had a right-side mastectomy and reconstruction as well as radiotherapy.

“If you don’t know you have the gene you can suddenly find a lump like I did in the shower one day and then you are faced with a life-threatening disease with a year – possibly more – of continuous treatment and surgery.

“If you are found to have the gene then you have that plan of action of reducing your risk of getting cancer before it even starts and your chances of survival are much, much higher.

“Without my family behind me I would never have got through the last 12-18 months as both my husband and the girls have been fantastic. It has been a tough and gruelling journey at times, but I have remained strong for my girls and have kept as fit as I can.

“With those we love we are capable of anything, especially allowing ourselves to cry, pick ourselves up and carry on.

“I may not be that same person I was before, but I am learning to love the new me. There are so many amazing and kind people I have met on this journey so far from nurses, surgeons, support groups, and charities who offer so much to those of us living with cancer.”

Now organisers of the race are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Pretty Muddy at Weston Park.

“No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.** Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives, but to save them. We’re proud that Race for Life has already helped double survival rates in the UK.

“Life-saving research already helps people living with cancer every single day. It’s thanks to our supporters who fundraise that we can go further to discover new ways to beat the disease and create a future where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

“It was a fantastic day at Pretty Muddy Weston Park, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.

“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised - whether it’s £10 or £100 - will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30 years of hope and progress. Money raised has helped develop radiotherapy which benefits more than 130,000 people with cancer in the UK every year.

Cancer Research UK funded scientists led the development of the Human Papillomavirus Virus vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK. The charity also funded many large clinical trials looking at the effectiveness of the drug tamoxifen and the research shaped the way the drug is used to treat breast cancer today.

Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country.

“By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and healthier lives, free of cancer.”