Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is back!.

The much-loved event series, which raises millions of pounds every year for life-saving cancer research, will return to venues across the UK this summer from May to July 2026. 

Participants of all ages and abilities can take part at 147 different locations and choose from a range of distances, as well as everybody’s favourite muddy obstacle course, Pretty Muddy.  Race for Life events are open to people of all ages, genders and abilities. They’re non-competitive, so participants can walk, jog or run or get delightfully muddy at their own pace. Whether taking part for a loved one or simply enjoying a meaningful day out with friends and family, Race for Life relies on communities coming together – united by a common purpose to beat cancer.

Here are all the key details about the events on offer:

Race for Life 3K, 5K and 10K distances

With 3K, 5K and 10K routes to choose from, there is an event for everyone – no matter your age, fitness level or reason for getting out there. For those who enjoy a challenge, all 10K events are chip-timed too; perfect for anyone wanting to track their progress or aim for a personal best. 

Pretty Muddy

Pretty Muddy is back – muddier and more exhilarating than ever. The thrilling 5K muddy obstacle course, designed for all levels of fitness, sees participants climbing, crawling and sliding their way to the finish line. Those taking part this year will also experience the brand new ‘Muddy Mayhem’ obstacle for the first time; adding even more fun to the gloriously muddy course. The biggest and boldest inflatable obstacle yet will see fundraisers climb through gates, taking on a rope swing drop and battle their way through a maze of pillars, before crawling through the final mud pit. To be part of the Pretty Muddy action, you must be 13 years of age or older at the time of the event.

Pretty Muddy Kids

That said, kids needn’t miss out on the fun! Pretty Muddy Kids provides young fundraisers, aged six to 12, with the opportunity to take on the 5K Pretty Muddy obstacle course at their own pace. To take part, children must be over 1.2m tall and supervised by an adult.

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, contributing millions of pounds towards research that has transformed outcomes for people affected by cancer. Over the past 50 years, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. More than 8 in 10 people who receive cancer drugs in the UK receive a drug developed by or with Cancer Research UK, and our research also led to the development of the HPV vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90% of cervical cancer cases in the UK.

Find your nearest event at: raceforlife.org