King Charles Leaves Cancer Charity Runners 'Speechless' by Cheering Them on from Muddy Track Near His Sandringham Home
- - King Charles Leaves Cancer Charity Runners 'Speechless' by Cheering Them on from Muddy Track Near His Sandringham Home
Simon PerryFebruary 2, 2026 at 3:25 AM
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King Charles cheers on runners at the Sandringham park run on Saturday Jan. 31, 2026
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
King Charles cheered on joggers, including those raising money for a cancer charity, at a run in Norfolk, England, on Saturday, Jan 31
The King, 77, made the unannounced appearance as the race wound its way through his country estate, Sandringham
Charles was there to support both runners and those helping steward the event
King Charles surprised runners by cheering them on as they raised money for a cancer charity.
The King, 77, was a smiling bystander on the sidelines of the run that wound its way through part of his country estate, Sandringham, Norfolk, on Saturday, Jan. 31.
He was there not only to cheer on the joggers, but also to thank the stewards and volunteers who help make the event possible.
One of those marking the route and helping runners was pictured with a sign which read, “Yes!!! That really was His Majesty the King on your first lap." The woman was pictured with a smiling, casually dressed Charles, who was clearly enjoying making an impact on the runners going past him.
King Charles cheering on the runners at Sandringham, Norfolk on Saturday Jan. 31, 2026
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Charles, who has been undergoing treatment for an unnamed cancer since early 2024, announced in December that his treatment schedule is being reduced early in 2026.
Charles’ appearance at the charity run was even a surprise to one of the organizers of Move Against Cancer’s 5K Your Way. Cancer specialist Dr. Lucy Gossage only found out about the monarch's attendance after the event.
She was quoted in the Eastern Daily Press praising Charles for “changing the perception of what it is to live with cancer, and that’s something we really tried to do at Move Against Cancer.”
She added, “I feel really humbled that, you know, there are thousands of different support groups, and the fact that he has identified with one of ours,” she said.
King Charles talks to volunteer Sarah Byatt at a marshal point during the Sandringham park run on Saturday Jan. 31, 2026
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
“We know he (the King) loves fresh air and community and being outside, and maybe of all the cancer support groups, this is one that just resonated with him.
“I guess for the people there it was pretty amazing, but actually for the charity as a whole, I think we just feel really grateful that the King has chosen to talk about the work that we do, because we know what we do makes a difference.”
The royal family posted a fun image of Charles on the sidelines, tying his appearance with the upcoming World Cancer Day.
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In a Facebook post shared after the event, Move Against Cancer wrote that they were "almost speechless" about the King's surprise attendance. They also responded to the Royal Family's own Instagram upload with an appreciation post, writing, "A heartfelt thank you to His Majesty The King for greeting us on the first lap of @parkrunuk in the beautiful setting of the @sandringhamestate this morning. 👑 The sun was shining, and lots of people were able to enjoy taking a moment, sharing their stories, and chatting with others as they navigated the course. ☀️🥰"
Queen Camilla and King Charles on Sunday after attending a church service at St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, Norfolk, on Feb. 1, 2026
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
In December, during a broadcast on a cancer telethon, Charles said, "Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders,’ my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year."
"This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives," he continued.
On Sunday, Feb. 1, Charles was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, as they attended church at St. Mary Magdalene on the estate.
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Last week, the pair hosted a royal first — the premiere of Charles' documentary Finding Harmony, at Windsor Castle. The screening, attended by Kate Winslet, who narrates the Amazon Prime documentary, and Dame Judi Dench, was held in the Waterloo Chamber of the historic castle.
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