Carlisle shoppers are in for a surprise this weekend as a troupe of fitness instructors are planning a flash mob dance routine to promote the city’s upcoming Race for Life events.
The flash mob starts at 2pm this Saturday June 8 at Carlisle Market Cross and event organiser Nicola Roberts is encouraging local people to don their dancing shoes and join in the fun.
She will lead routines to a range of popular chart music along with five colleagues from local fitness group Mokyfit – all with the aim of inspiring people to sign up to Race for Life 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events next month.
Mokyfit instructors have provided the warm-up for Carlisle’s Race for Life events for the last seven years and will be doing so again at this year’s event on Sunday July 14 at Bitts Park.
“We are keen to get more people signed up to Race for Life Carlisle and to support such a worthwhile cause,” said Nicola. “We love the focus on family fun and Race for Life promises to be a fantastic atmosphere again this year.”
“The flash mob is a great way to promote the event and we are throwing out the challenge to shoppers who fancy a quick blast of fun fitness in the city centre,” Nicola added.
“We will take shoppers through the dance moves which are simple to follow. Just come along and have a go – we promise you’ll enjoy yourselves.
“No one cares if you do a wrong step – we laugh it up by freestyling!”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
As well as leading the warm-up at Race for Life Carlisle, the Mokyfit instructors will be joining fellow Cumbrians by taking part in the full event.
“Race for Life is a very special event and we’ll be joining the hundreds of other walkers and runners on Sunday 14 July. Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way and I’d encourage anyone and everyone to get involved,” said Nicola.
This year the Race for Life events, which previously were women-only, are now open to everyone.
Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North West, said: “We are very grateful to Mokyfit for their support.
“By following their lead, and joining the Race for Life, people in Carlisle can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. Money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists and doctors find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, helping save more lives.
“Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.
“By taking part in Race for Life and raising money for research, our participants play a crucial role in helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for patients in Carlisle and across the UK.”
Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies on the public’s support. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend over £27 million last year in the North West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
To enter Race for Life today visit raceforlife.org