Hundreds in Cardiff and Swansea raise money for men's health in Movember run

'We all know someone who's been affected', runners share inspiration behind taking part in Movember event

Hundreds of moustache-wearing runners have gathered in Cardiff and Swansea to raise money for and awareness of men's health for Movember.

MoRunning is part of an annual awareness month, which involves the growing of moustaches to raise awareness of men's mental health and suicide prevention.

The money raised in the 1.5, 5 and 10K runs will also support research into prostate and testicular cancer.

Organisers said the event in Cardiff's Bute Park is the biggest in the UK, with runs also being held in cities including Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

Cardiff alone usually attracts around 2,000 runners, but registrations have fallen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nic Clarke, Movember ambassador, said: "People are running for a variety of reasons, obviously men's mental health being one of the big things, suicide prevention, also prostate cancer, testicular cancer - those things that really affect men.

"Men are not great at talking about these things, so it's an important time to get together, have some great fun but also to raise some serious money for some serious conditions."

Professor Aled Clayton, from Cardiff University, carries out research into prostate cancer.

He said: "We really need this money - research is hard, it's slow, it's complicated, and all this support is wonderful.

"It makes me feel quite humble actually that all these people are working so hard to raise money for us."

"At Cardiff University, we're working hard on topics around prostate cancer and we're not able to do this without some money coming in, so we're really grateful to all the runners."

Many of the runners said they decided to take part in the event after experiencing the health issues through friends and family.

One runner told ITV News his reason for running: "We all know someone who's been affected by prostate cancer and stuff like that so it's a great way for us to show our support."

Another explained: "Unfortunately there's a couple of men I know that have lost their lives to this disease and it's such a horrible way to go, so if I can do a little something just to raise awareness I'll do it."

Some of those running said they had been inspired to join after a first-hand experience.

One man said: "I had a little scare myself and had to go and have a biopsy - thankfully clear - but it just brought home how important a charity like this and events like this are for raising money to help find treatments and cures".