lifestyle

Take Big Steps To Beat Cancer In New Yorkshire Dales Hike Event

People are being urged to lace up their walking boots and explore the great outdoors for Cancer Research UK as part of an exciting new hike event in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Cancer Research UK Big Hike challenge is being launched in four iconic locations across the UK including The Dales on Saturday 4 September.

Big Hike is a marathon distance hiking event for both new and experienced walkers and hikers with routes that are unique to the charity.

The one-day hikes are open to both men and women who enjoy the great outdoors and are looking for a challenge whilst raising money for life-saving research.

Each route is between 24 and 26 miles, involving a mix of challenging terrains, with an expected walking time of 8 to 12 hours.

The Yorkshire Dales hike, which is 25.5 miles, starts at Horton in Ribblesdale and will take walkers through rising hills, river valleys and via picturesque landmarks including Fountains Fell, Malham Cove, Langcliffe Scar, and the Ribble Way.

The routes are fully planned with plenty of support points along the way and maps provided at registration. Participants will also receive lunch en route followed by a hot meal and medal at the finish line.

There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge. Fundraising advice is available and Cancer Research UK has teamed up with hiking experts to give the very best training support with a 16-week training plan.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Yorkshire, said:
“We know over the last year more people than ever have embraced the great outdoors and taken up walking as a way of balancing their physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’re excited to launch our Big Hike and bring it to the Yorkshire Dales for the first time.

“Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice rambler it is the perfect opportunity to make the most of the stunning scenery and help raise money for vital cancer research.”

Cancer Research UK is the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the world. Almost every way it fundraises has been impacted by the pandemic but its determination to beat cancer hasn’t faltered.

With around 31,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Yorkshire, the charity is determined to continue making transformative steps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease and is more focussed than ever on its ambition of seeing three-in-four people survive their cancer by 2034.

Lisa added:
“One-in-two people will get cancer in their lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it.

“This past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research, and what can be achieved with collective focus and collaboration. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.

“Every day we see the benefits of the work that that h Cancer Research UK has funded, with new clinical trials opening and breakthroughs being reported. People across North Yorkshire and beyond can help to support more work like this by signing up to Big Hike.”

To sign up visit cruk.org/bighike