DATES for this year’s Race for Life events have been announced, with nine taking place across the region this summer.

Hosted by Cancer Research UK in partnership with Tesco, the Race for Life is the country’s largest women-only fundraising series with over 230 5k runs held nationally between May and September.

This year women can also take part in one of 39 10k races across the country, with the North East’s 10k event taking place in Sunderland on May 19.

Holly Howey, Cancer Research UK’s North East events manager, said: “Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness take part in Race for Life.

“They come from different backgrounds and walks of life but they are united by their absolute determination to take on cancer and beat it.”

It costs £14.99 for adults and £10 for girls under 16 to join the Race for Life which covers the cost of the events meaning that sponsorship money goes directly to charity.

Since its launch in 1994, 6.5 million people have taken part and raised over £490 million to help fund Cancer Research UK’s work.

Visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845-600-6050 for more information and to register for a race.

Details of the Race for Life events in the North East are as follows: Gateshead, May 5, 11am at Saltwell Park; Sunderland, May 19, 11.30am at Herrington Country Park, with the 10k race taking place at 9.30am; Darlington, June 9, 11am at South Park; Middlesbrough, June 14, 7.30pm at Ormesby Hall and June 15 at 10.30am; Hartlepool, June 30, 11am at the Promenade; Durham, July 7, 11am at Durham City Rugby and Football Club; Newcastle, July 21, 11am at Town Moor.