Hundreds of runners at R U Taking the P? York fun run

More than 200 runners turned out for the R U Taking the P? run to raise awareness of prostate cancer on Sunday (June 21).

They were cheered off at the start line at Rowntree Park before taking on 5km and 10km routes around the nearby riverside area and finishing back at the park.

Max Burton, organiser of the R U Taking the P? fun run (Image: Dylan Connell)

Max Burton, organiser of R U Taking the P?, said it was “a fantastic day” and expected the run to raise thousands of pounds for York Against Cancer.

“We raised £18,000 last year which was phenomenal, so if we can get somewhere like that, it would be great,” he said.

It was the second year that the race has been held since 2019 after returning last year.

Runners during the R U Taking the P? fun run in York on Sunday (June 21) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Max said the aim is for the run to once again becoming an annual event raising money for York Against Cancer

“It’s great to see that people are supporting it – it’s a thrill, it’s really great,” he said.

Max said the event’s main goal is to raise awareness of prostate cancer, adding that this year’s event followed extensive media coverage of Jeremy Clarkson revealing that he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of the disease. The 66-year-old TV star has since confirmed he is in remission from the prostate cancer after it was discovered early.

Max said he hoped the run would encourage more men to be checked for prostate cancer.

“It touches so many people – one in eight men are going to get prostate cancer, one in four if they’re black,” he said. “It’s the most common cancer for men.

“You need to be aware [of symptoms] – you need to be tested.”

The run was backed by Sir Stephen Fry, a prostate cancer survivor, who urged people to take part in the event and support the cancer charity.

Max described the actor and writer as a “top bloke”, saying: “He didn’t have to do that; a lot of people wouldn’t.

“For him to respond like that was just magic.”

Event is ‘absolutely wonderful’, says Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Margaret Wells, counted the runners down before they set off from Rowntree Park.

She said the event is “absolutely wonderful”, adding: “Just to see all these local people is brilliant – I love it.”

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Margaret Wells, during the fun run at Rowntree Park on Sunday (June 21) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Cllr Wells, who returned to the role of Lord Mayor last month, said “any message we get out” about prostate cancer is “so important because it is something that an awful lot of men tend to put to the back of their minds – they don’t want to know”.

“We had the same with breast cancer many, many years ago – women didn’t want to think about it. But now, we can cure it.

“So I’m all in favour of people talking about [prostate cancer] and just understanding that it isn’t the end.”

Raymond Chalmers, 54, from Haxby, took part in the 5km run with his sons, Alexander, 21, and Christopher, 18.

Raymond, Alexander and Christopher Chalmers who took part in the R U Taking the P? 5km run in York on Sunday (June 21) (Image: Dylan Connell)

He said the trio took part to support York Against Cancer and to celebrate Father’s Day.

Raymond said he does “as much as I can” to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

He said he was checked for prostate cancer last year during a blood check and “all was well”.

He encouraged other men to get checked for the disease, saying: “I’m over 50, so there is a criteria that makes you more at risk than others – I felt it necessary.”