The UK’s coolest 10km running event, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run, will return for a third year on Sunday 5th February 2017. It will once again take place on closed roads in Central London passing a number of world famous landmarks, and raise money for life-saving research. Over 15,000 people took part last time, and registration for 2017 is now open. A limited number of places are available at a Super Early Bird Entry price.

Many believe that taking part in a marathon will be their only prospect to experience running in a city centre past thousands of spectators, but the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run gives you the same opportunity, with an achievable 10km distance to complete. The 2016 run started in Trafalgar Square, and went past St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England and finished spectacularly on Whitehall. The incredible atmosphere will be helped by the return of the popular polar bear characters on the finish line offering congratulatory hugs and high fives, in addition to live music on the course.

As well as encouraging thousands to keep running through the winter months, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run has also made a huge contribution to the fight against cancer. Participants in 2016 raised over £400,000 to advance research into 200 types of cancer. The aim is to surpass this total in 2017.

The event is the perfect challenge for novices and seasoned runners alike. Out of the 15,000 people who took part in 2016, 19% were taking part in their first ever running event, with a massive 24.7% saying they were inactive before signing up. And 35% used the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run as training for a challenge such as a marathon.

Nick Rusling, CEO of organisers Human Race, said “This event has really captured the imagination of the public and invigorated thousands of people to keep running through the winter. First-timers adore it, veterans keep coming back for more, we cannot wait to do it all again in 2017”.

Clive Sanders, Head of Events at Cancer Research UK, said: “The Winter Run is such a fun way to help give cancer the cold shoulder. Half of people diagnosed with the disease now survive. But half is not enough. That’s why we need as many people as possible to sign up and raise vital funds for research which will save the lives of more, men women and children.

“Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we fund, the sooner that day will come.”