Ayrshire's only annual Race for Life has been cancelled for 2023 as the charity deems it “not viable” as a means of fundraising.

The 10K, 5K, and 3K races to raise funds for Cancer Research UK were supposed to be held in Irvine on June 11 of this year but have since been called off.

Cancer Research UK have cited low levels of interest and the high cost of running the event as their reasoning for the cancellation.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Irvine Race for Life that was scheduled to take place in June 2023.

“We have made this decision after reviewing the cost of this event against the level of support it attracted in 2022.

“We have a commitment to ensure we are raising as much money as possible for our scientists and sadly this event is not viable for us to continue with at the moment.

“We do hope you understand our reasoning and really hope that you can join a nearby Race for Life instead.”

The closest Race for Life to North Ayrshire will be held in Glasgow on May 21 with a ‘Pretty Muddy’ race also being held in Glasgow on June 17.

The cancellation of the Irvine event comes on the thirtieth anniversary of the first ever Race for Life and during the charity’s 120th anniversary.

While originally a woman-only event, as of 2019 the Race for Life was made open to people of all genders.

Find out more about the Race for Life and Cancer Research UK here: www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org