More than £200,000 has been raised so far by Cambridge Race for Life 2025 for Cancer Research UK.
In hot and humid conditions, more than 3,000 participants tackled the 10k and 5k courses on Sunday (29 June).
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith Heppell
The 5k course took in the city centre, travelling past the market square and through the grounds of King’s College before returning to Jesus Green.
The 10k course also passed these landmarks, and travelled to Stourbridge Common and along the River Cam.
Many participants wore the names of those they were running for on the backs, along with poignant messages.
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith Heppell
The money they raised will help scientists - including those at the CRUK Cambridge Institute - find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Every year, about 37,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England.
Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Cambridge, said the charity was grateful for everyone who took part.
“Sadly, nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it,” he said. “Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.”
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, case study. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith Heppell
Cancer Research UK-funded scientists led the development of the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK.
The charity played a key role in the development of radiotherapy that now benefits millions of cancer patients worldwide.
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellThe team representing Monkfield Park Primary School in Great Cambourne, which raised more than £1,000 between them. Picture: Paul BrackleyRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith Heppell
And it helped the development of abiraterone - a drug that gives men with advanced prostate cancer more time with their friends and family.
These are just some of the achievements of those scientists funded by the charity. Its Cambridge Institute is part of the University of Cambridge and one of CRUK’s flagship research centres, where researchers focus on advancing cancer research to improve patient outcomes.
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith Heppell
Race for Life is being held this year in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group.
A non-competitive event open to people of all ages and abilities, it launched in 1994, since when more than 10 million people have taken part, raising millions for cancer research.
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith Heppell
Andy Curran, chief executive of Standard Life, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. By raising funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
Race for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 5K. Picture: Keith HeppellRace for LIfe 2025 in Cambridge on Jesus Green, 10K. Picture: Keith Heppell
Look out for a picture special and more stories from the day in the Cambridge Independent, out from Wednesday, 2 July.