'˜Miss Ryan' seeking to stand out in Portsmouth Race for Life

But this year one man is hoping to stand out and compete in the Race for Life – dressed in pink under the name Miss Ryan Evershed.

Ryan, from Petersfield, is hoping to become the first man to run in the Portsmouth fundraiser for Cancer Research, even though the rules stipulate only women can enter.

Ryan, who hopes to raise £1,000, said: ‘I decided to take part in the Race for Life because I don’t find it fair that men aren’t allowed to run.

‘I think Cancer Research is losing out on a lot of sponsors by not letting men participate.

‘It’s not just for female cancers, the money goes towards a wide variety of cancers and I find that unintentionally sexist.

‘Men get cancer and we can also get breast cancer, which is something that a huge deal of people don’t know about.

‘You have to remember that men also go through the pain of dealing with loved ones who are fighting cancer, so we are all sufferers one way or another.’

Race for Life says on its website why men are not allowed to take part.

‘When we launched Race for Life in 1994 it was unique due to the fact that it was a women-only event and this aspect has shaped how the series has grown from strength to strength each year,’ it says.

‘The atmosphere on the day of Race for Life events has a strong sense of sisterhood, uniting all women with a common goal, to raise funds to beat cancer.

‘We regularly review our events to make them the best they can be and four years ago we seriously looked at whether we should let men enter Race for Life.

‘However, our research showed that Race for Life’s success is due to its appeal to women as a women-only event and to allow men to enter could bring in less income for the charity’s life-saving work.’

But Ryan thinks the rules should be changed, and hopes more men will be encouraged to make a stand.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/ryanevershed