Supported by Move Imperial, nearly 200 staff and students participated in the Race for Life on 28 July, raising over £5,000 for Cancer Research UK.

In a heartwarming display of community spirit and dedication, nearly 200 staff and students from Imperial College London participated in the Race for Life on 28 July, raising over £5,000 for Cancer Research UK. The event, which took place in Hyde Park, attracted thousands of entrants who walked, jogged, and ran to support life-saving cancer research. Among the sea of participants, the Imperial group stood out in their distinctive Imperial blue t-shirts.  

The event was facilitated by Move Imperial and supported by several departments within the Faculty of Engineering. 

“Many thanks to all the Departments in the Faculty of Engineering for supporting the event, which was enjoyed by so many staff and students. As a participant, I can confirm that it was a great day, and the feedback from my colleagues and students in Chemical Engineering has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Omar Matar, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. “Thank you to the Move Imperial team for the encouragement and facilitating the event.” 

Participants were full of praise for the event, with one saying: “It was a very good event, and I was happy to see so many Imperial College London staff and students taking part in the race. This made me so proud to be a part of the Imperial family.” 

The sense of camaraderie and support was echoed by Caroline Bellingham, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Administrator in Design Engineering, who noted, “The messaging from Move Imperial was all very friendly and supportive, and this was reflected in the atmosphere on the day - it was great to have colleagues encouraging each other at the finish line. It was a lovely opportunity to enjoy getting fit and getting to know colleagues!” 

Participants prepared for the race with the help of Move Imperial, which provided a Couch to 5k Run Leader and organised a weekly run club. On the day of the event, the group gathered at the Ethos gym to collect their t-shirts and water bottles before heading over to Hyde Park. 

Following the race, Move Imperial hosted a BBQ in Prince’s Gardens, where participants relaxed and socialised, reflecting on their achievements and the importance of the cause they were supporting. 

“It was a great event, I liked the organisation and the sense of community. As an Imperial College member, I felt proud of our participation and the fundraising!” shared another participant. 

Will Hollyer, Director of Sport and Central Services, expressed his pride in the Imperial community, saying, “I’m so proud of the Imperial community coming together to increase their physical activity and raise money for such a fantastic cause. It was great to see so much joy and positivity on the day as we united to fundraise for life-saving research.” 

For those interested in joining next year’s Race for Life, registration is already open. Participants can register their interest here. The event promises to be another fantastic opportunity to support a worthy cause, stay active, and connect with the Imperial community. 

A video of the day’s highlights, capturing the spirit and energy of the event, can be seen below: