The Univeristy is encouraging staff, students and alumni, and for the first time, members of the public to sign up now to take part in our 2.5k and 5k run in Plattfields Park on Wednesday 18 March, and our Purple Wave in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday 24 May.

For the first time ever, we’re opening Purple Wave registration to members of the wider community, who can participate alongside students, staff and alumni and raise money for a fantastic cause at the same time.

Fundraising through the Purple Wave

This year the Purple Wave is supporting The University of Manchester’s Re-write Cancer campaign.

Every two minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. But here in Manchester, we want to change this and improve patient outcomes through advances in prevention, early detection and treatment to benefit people around the world. We want to re-write the future of cancer. And all Purple Wave runners can help. Working in partnership with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Cancer Research UK, we’re building a world-leading cancer research facility which will bring together the largest concentration of scientists, doctors, patients and health professionals in Europe – all working together to tackle cancer head-on.

By taking part in this year’s Purple Wave, runners can be part of this very special project. You can help Re-write the future of cancer by:

• Taking part in the 10k run or half marathon to raise money for the Re-write Cancer campaign. We’ll support you in setting up an online fundraising page and raising money towards your sponsorship target – and you’ll even get free registration in return!
• Making a donation of whatever you can afford to Re-write Cancer when you register for your chosen Purple Wave event.

Why fundraise?

Cancer Research UK, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester have worked together for more than a decade under the umbrella partnership of Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC). In 2017, the Paterson building which housed one of our cancer research facilities suffered a devastating fire.

Re-Write Cancer aims to raise £20 million to contribute toward a state of the art replacement which will be twice the size of the previous facility – increasing the capacity and scope of the University’s fight against cancer. MCRC is emblematic of the world-leading, life-changing research upon which the university community prides itself. So what better way to contribute than through one of the biggest events on the UoM community calendar, which brings students, staff and alumni from across the institution together in the Purple Wave.

Sign up now for the 2.5K, 5K, 10K or half marathon.

Registrations are now open for the Purple Wave in the Great Manchester Run 2019

Did you know that students, staff, alumni and supporters of the University can get free Purple Wave registration? All you need to do is fundraise a minimum of £100 (£50 if you’re a student) for scholarships for local disadvantaged students or students from developing countries, or for breakthroughs in medical research at the University.

Last year runners of the Purple Wave supported our flagship widening participation scheme, Manchester Access Programme (MAP), by fully funding the first ever Purple Wave Undergraduate Access Scholar.

This year, whatever you’re passionate about, you can make a real difference by running the Purple Wave. Whether it’s helping us find treatments for devastating diseases such as dementia, cancer and heart disease, or giving disadvantaged students the chance to level the playing field and gain a world-class education here, your fundraising will make a real difference to the causes you care about most. Whose life will you help us transform on the 19 May?

To register now please visit the Purple Wave website or for further information please contact purplewave@manchester.ac.uk.