Race for life - why only women?

[marcusjames]

Why is the race for life restricted to women? Aren't they turning away potential charitable revenue by taking this decision? What about the men that have lost mothers, wives, sisters, friends to breast cancer ?

[tyranical]

I've often thought that myself and I would have thought that if you really wanted to be an arse you could challenge them for sexual discrimination.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Ditto. I have actually thought about entering it - I mean, if you have sponsorship etc. how churlish would they be to turn you down for being male?

It is rather irritating though. IIRC they don't even mention female cancers, just cancer!

[anonymous-user]

Wasnt it started originally as part of some breast cancer awareness thing?? Might explain why it's women only, but agreed, they could tap into so much more potential research budget by opening it up to men too

[Aizletree]

I agree, my mum and sister are doing one in July, in memory of my Dad. Can I go? No.

I realise this isn't stopping me doing any run, but with so many people there with a similar goal/view, would be great.

[Night Runner]

I feel that if a blokes version was arranged Jermaine Greer would go off on one.

Edited by Night Runner on Saturday 23 April 21:14

[elster]

In York we have a male alternative that started last year that raises funds for Prostate & Male specific cancer.

I did try to do the race for life and was flat denied due to my sex.

So looking forward to the "R U Taking the P" 5km run.

[rpguk]

There really are no shortage of charity runs now. Dozens and dozens of the bloody things. If anyone blokes want to run for cancer awareness then you'll have no problem finding another run or charity to take your money.

This run has being female only as it's USP. I guess maybe some women find it a bit less intimidating or even just think that if all these other women can they can pull it off. I know a few women who've signed up and a couple of them I think have been inspired by this race in particular.

[hondafanatic]

I always thought it fair enough. There are many other races blokes can enter. I've supported my wife doing the race for life run. It's the only one she'll do because she doesn't feel intimidated by being surrounded by competitive blokes with heart rate monitors looking to better their time. There are a few women that do that, but by and large, it's a female friendly jog in the park that raises some money.

[Jasandjules]

marcusjames said:

Why is the race for life restricted to women? Aren't they turning away potential charitable revenue by taking this decision? What about the men that have lost mothers, wives, sisters, friends to breast cancer ?

Have you asked them?

(not beign ar**, I actually would be intereted to know what they say!).

[GTIR]

Oh dear.

I can see the fuming fingers of mumsnet members typing as I write this.

You're in trouble now son.





(it's because watching men run is very dull. Unless your ghey but even Gok likes bouncy boobies so who knows)

[elster]

Jasandjules said:

marcusjames said:

Why is the race for life restricted to women? Aren't they turning away potential charitable revenue by taking this decision? What about the men that have lost mothers, wives, sisters, friends to breast cancer ?

Have you asked them?

(not beign ar**, I actually would be intereted to know what they say!).

I have. I was politely declined.

[Jasandjules]

elster said:

I have. I was politely declined.

And what reason did they give?

[NiceCupOfTea]

I can't help feeling that a "men only" race would have people crowing about discrimination...but then a spot of positive discrimination never hurt anybody did it?

For the poster whose mum/sister are running for their dad, I would sign up making whatever claims necessary to get registered and do the run with balloons under my top and a wig!

As for people feeling "intimidated" by blokes running just get on with it! I would be intimidated as I am a crap runner. Is there a special race for blokes who have dodgy knees who are a bit intimidated by runners with heart rate monitors?

All very silly IMHO.

[GTIR]

Jasandjules said:

elster said:

I have. I was politely declined.

And what reason did they give?

No tits and minge at a guess.

[Mobile Chicane]

Not wishing to piss on anyone's chips: but if there's a charity which doesn't need your money, it's Cancer Research UK.

Last I looked at the numbers, CRUK received £150M a year from wills / legacies alone. There simply aren't enough 'cancer research' projects ongoing for the charity to fund.

All excess goes into sizeable reserves.

Meanwhile the hospice movement (not to mention grass-roots sport) struggle to maintain services, having had all Lottery funding withdrawn in favour of the 2012 Olympic games.

[munroman]

Mobile Chicane said:

Not wishing to piss on anyone's chips: but if there's a charity which doesn't need your money, it's Cancer Research UK.

Last I looked at the numbers, CRUK received £150M a year from wills / legacies alone. There simply aren't enough 'cancer research' projects ongoing for the charity to fund.

All excess goes into sizeable reserves.

Meanwhile the hospice movement (not to mention grass-roots sport) struggle to maintain services, having had all Lottery funding withdrawn in favour of the 2012 Olympic games.

Excellent point, and the pickpocketing of small organisations to pay for Bliars meglomania in having the London Olympics is a national disgrace.

[hondafanatic]

NiceCupOfTea said:

All very silly IMHO.

And that's the important bit.

My wife wouldn't raise the £100 or so she did last time by jogging round a park. Her and her mates raised over £500 that would otherwise not have been raised because they do genuinely feel reluctant to run amongst 7 stone veined (as in they have pronounced veins) massive watch wearing heart monitoring watching Asic equipped isotonic fuelled with BP times to beat runners.

It's just a fun girls day out.

[anonymous-user]

According to their website, it's what the women want. But you can volunteer to put up marquees etc, and be a marshall. So, sexism only works one way then

[NiceCupOfTea]

hondafanatic said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

All very silly IMHO.

And that's the important bit.

My wife wouldn't raise the £100 or so she did last time by jogging round a park. Her and her mates raised over £500 that would otherwise not have been raised because they do genuinely feel reluctant to run amongst 7 stone veined (as in they have pronounced veins) massive watch wearing heart monitoring watching Asic equipped isotonic fuelled with BP times to beat runners.

It's just a fun girls day out.

I'm not being argumentative here, but they would genuinely not have done a charity run because they're scared of blokes who are timing themselves? Serious point: what about blokes feeling intimidated by the hardcore runners?

The reason I think it silly is because this positive discrimination does nothing to further the cause of sexual equality IMHO. A level playing field for all (as long as I don't have to run with the men!)