MOVE OVER LADIES, IT’S TIME FOR THE BOYS!

The inaugural Men’s 5K, organised to raise awareness of male cancers and raise valuable funds in the process, is to be held on Saturday^, November 23 – and it doesn’t matter if you’re a couch potato or a marathon elite, whether you walk, jog or run it – you can do it!

The Men’s 5K is a unique opportunity for men, and boys aged over 12, to band together and help raise funds to fight male cancers and support those currently fighting cancer.  All monies raised from the event will be donated to local male cancer charities in the Western Isles.

Organised by the NHS Western Isles Health Promotion Department and Comhairle nan Eilean’s Sport & Health Department, the Men’s 5k is expected to become an annual fixture for men in the Western Isles, and rival the very successful ladies’ own 5K Cancer Challenge event held each year.

Registration will start from 12noon and the event will start at 1pm from outside the Stornoway Golf Club. Men will then follow the approved 5k route through the Castle Grounds, and finish at the Stornoway Rugby Pitch.  Volunteer marshals will also be available throughout the route. 

Changing and showering facilities have also been made available for entrants at the All Weather Pitch at Smith Avenue, and a free shuttle bus has been organised for entrants requiring transport to the event.

With cancer being one of the biggest killers in Scotland, the disease has a ‘ripple’ effect impacting on everyone when you, a family member, friend or colleague has been diagnosed.

Almost 43,000 men are diagnosed with a form of male-specific cancer each year in the UK.  For males, the most common cancers are lung, prostate cancer and colorectal cancers accounting for 53% of cancers in males. 

Other common male cancers include: testicular, trachea, bronchus and lung, prostate, colorectal, head and neck, bladder, oesophagus, stomach, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, malignant melanoma of skin, and kidney.

The only locally based cancer support group for men, the Hebridean Men’s Cancer Support Group, is now in its fifth year and continues to offer confidential advice, information and support to men, and their family and friends, living with or affected by cancer in the Western Isles. 

Through donations, the group has been able to provide valuable aid to helping local men and their families affected by cancer. This has included practical help e.g. one case of providing home heating costs, and many others of providing costs associated with travel and accommodation when receiving cancer treatments. 

The group continues to expand its membership and at present is encouraging men of all ages affected by cancer to contact them. The group offers a weekly drop-in at the Bayhead Retirement Centre every Friday from 2pm-4pm and is considering expanding men’s involvement by having roadshowmeetings in Ness, Tarbert, Uist and Barra. For further information about the group please visit: www.hebmenscancer.com

The Men’s 5K also coincides with Movember, where men are encouraged to grow their moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s cancers. It is also hoped that a large number of entrants will race wearing their own specially grown ‘Mo’.

As well as individual entrants, organisers also hope to encourage a large number of three-man teams made up of males with a range of ages and fitness levels.  An award for the team with the nearest time of 1 hour 30 minutes will be made. 

Specially designed black T-shirts featuring the Men’s 5K logo will also be available to be purchased shortly from the Lewis Sports Centre at £8 each. The Men’s 5K design, which features the Lews Castle background with runner crossing the finish line, is hoped to be worn by those taking part, but can also be purchased by those who wish to simply support the event and help to raise additional funds.

Designed to suit everyone’s budget, entrance fees are as follows: Adults (over 18s) £5, Under 18s £3, and 3-man teams £10.

To register for the event, simply collect a registration form, available at a variety of local outlets and workplaces, or any Council or NHSWIlocation (or from the NHS Western Isles website www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk). Registration Forms and entrance fee payment must be returned to the Lewis Sports Centre by no later than Thursday  November 21, 2013. Those who register may also wish to pick up a Men’s 5Ksponsor form, in order to help raise additional funds. 

Finally, and not to be confused with the book, an evening dance titled ‘Fifty Shades of Red!’ is to be held in the Stornoway Golf Club on November 23.  Popular local band ‘Ugly Violet’ will be performing from 10pm onwards, and all are welcome to attend to help further support the Movember cause.  A £3 entry fee will be charged, however those who competed in the Men’s 5K and men sporting a specially grown ‘Mo’ will be admitted free of charge.

Organisers would like to express their thanks to a number of local companies who have provided sponsorship and assistance towards the event.  These include The Stornoway Trust, Autoparts Stornoway Ltd, MacGregor Industrial Supplies, Lewis & Harris Youth Club Association, Scottish Water, Mathiesign, Stornoway Golf Club, NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
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