Sarah Willocks, Fund-raising Manager of FORCE, says, “Running events are always extremely popular. This one will be particularly special as all the money raised will benefit local people. We hope to attract 700 men and women of varied abilities, from club runners to fun runners and cancer patients, families and friends. It’s a great course at Powderham Castle and will be very well organised for us by Ironbridge Runner of Exeter.”
 
The main sponsor for the event is Francis Clark, the regionÂ’s leading independent firm of chartered accountants.
 
Sean Grinsted, Corporate Services Partner at Francis Clark, says: “All money raised by runners will go towards the outstanding work of FORCE, which has played a vital role in local cancer services for 23 years. It helps improve patient care through research, the purchase of advanced equipment and running the cancer support and information centre at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.
 
“FORCE relies entirely on voluntary contributions for its income, so fundraising events such as the new FORCE 10K are vitally important. We are proud to be sponsoring such a worthwhile local charity.”
 
As part of its work, FORCE funds research within the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter. The research programme is led by Dr Jackie Whatmore who says:“FORCE was established originally as a cancer research charity gaining national and international recognition. Currently, our scientists are investigating the secondary spread of ovarian cancer and the development of secondary tumours in the brain in people with lung cancer.”

Online entry is open now by going to the FORCE website –www.forcecancercharity.co.uk Prizes will be awarded to the three fastest men and women runners. All participants will receive an event T-shirt. On the day there will also be the chance for supporters or family members of those running the 10K to enter a 2K family run, which will follow the start of the 10K route. Refreshments will be available and the castle is offering reduced admission rates for runners and their families after the event.
 
As well as runners, the organisers are also looking for volunteer marshals.
 
The event starts at 10.45am on Sunday, September 12, in the castle grounds. The route meanders along a pathway down to Powderham Road, passing the yacht club and church, up a slight incline to Powderham Woods, through the woods and back to the castle.

Powderham Castle Country Stores and Ironbridge Runner are secondary sponsors of the FORCE 10K and the prizes are being supplied by Adidas.

Whatever your motivation for raising funds for FORCE, please join us to launch the FORCE 10K with a bang. 
 

Please visit www.forcecancercharity.co.uk or call  01392 402875.