Sunflower Sprint 2026 to bring colour, fun and fundraising
The colourful new 5k event is coming to Shrewsbury, Telford and Powys this May, combining fun, fitness and fundraising to support a major £5 million cancer care appeal.
The event on Sunday, May 17, 2026, is set to bring a burst of colour and community spirit to the region this spring, as the Lingen Davies Cancer Support Sunflower Sprint launches.
Three locations
Taking place across Shrewsbury, Telford and Powys, the Sunflower Sprint offers a fresh twist on the popular colour run concept. Participants can run, jog or stroll a 5k course while being covered in vibrant clouds of yellow, green and orange powder along the route. With sunflower-themed t-shirts, sunglasses and a lively atmosphere, organisers promise a “bloomin’ brilliant day” for all involved.
The event is open to all abilities, with a focus on fun rather than competition, and organisers warn that finishing in a clean t-shirt is “definitely not an option”.
Sunflower Appeal
Beyond the colour and celebration, the Sunflower Sprint plays a key role in supporting the Sunflower Appeal, Lingen Davies Cancer Support’s most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. The £5 million appeal aims to significantly expand cancer care services across the region.
Central to the appeal is the development of a new Lingen Davies Chemotherapy Centre at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, due to open in 2029. Working alongside existing services at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, the new facility will double chemotherapy capacity, helping patients access vital treatment more quickly and closer to home.
Plans for the new centre include outpatient clinics, up to 30 chemotherapy bays, a lung cancer centre and a urology investigations unit. The development forms part of the wider Hospitals Transformation Project and is being delivered in collaboration with the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
Currently, more than a third of patients receiving treatment at the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre are from the Telford area. By expanding services locally, the new facility will reduce travel pressures for those patients while freeing up capacity in Shrewsbury, improving access and reducing waiting times across the region.
The Sunflower Sprint is expected to play a vital role in raising both funds and awareness for the appeal, while bringing communities together in support of those affected by cancer.
The Shropshire Live team will also be on hand in Telford and Shrewsbury to help kick off the event and capture the day’s celebrations.
How to take part
Participants are encouraged to choose their preferred location, sign up, and take part in a unique event that combines fun, fitness and fundraising for a meaningful cause.
More information and registration details can be found at lingendavies.co.uk/events.
