RACE for Life in Southampton is the largest single event of its kind in the country. On Sunday July 13, thousands of women will gather to raise money for Cancer Research UK. It will be a day of high emotion - loved ones remembered and survivors celebrated coming through the disease. There will be great sadness at the loss of so many and immense joy at what can be achieved when people unite for a common cause.

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WARM UP: The mass warm up session before Winchester's Race for Life.

THEY were women on a mission. Some 2,200 ladies of all ages and fitness abilities turned out for Winchester's Race for Life yesterday.

Each had their own unique reason for completing the 5km course at River Park but they all had one thing in common - to raise as much money for Cancer Research UK as possible.

Many of those walking or running yesterday's route had triumphed over the disease themselves, others were running in memory of a lost loved one or in celebration of a brave survivor.

Cheered on by male friends and family, the women of Winchester did the city proud.

Mums, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and best friends all tackled the three mile route together - some in a group, others taking on the challenge alone but all with the finish line as their goal.

Some wore fancy dress and shrugged off the threat of rain in grass skirts, skimpy pink boob tubes and tutus. Others made sure they stood out from the crowd with funny wigs, sparkly hats and lots and lots of pink.

Mums and daughters ran hand in hand, work colleagues walked together and sisters jogged side by side.

But beneath the air of celebration and fun was a very important message.

That so many women took part was testament to the number of people affected by cancer, showing just how important it is to raise money for new treatments and ultimately a cure.

As participants gathered near the start, race organiser Hannah White asked for a moment's silence to remember those who had lost their battle with the disease.

Tears were shed and memo ries savoured as a hush fell over the crowd. It was a poignant moment, made more so by the messages so many runners wore on their backs - tributes to parents, friends, sisters and children whose lives had been claimed by cancer.

It was the fifth Race for Life in Winchester and the largest yet. Thankfully the rain held off but it was a muggy morning for those attempting to run the course.

Organiser Hannah White hopes their collective efforts will raise a whopping £174,000 for Cancer Research UK. She said: "It's a fantastic turnout and the atmosphere is brilliant. There are lots of costumes and lots of pink, which is the essence of Race for Life.

About 20 minutes after Deputy Mayor Dominic Hiscock started the race, the first runners began to trickle across the finish line. Exhausted but proud of their achievement, the participants each received a medal from Cancer Research UK.

"It's been an amazing day," added Hannah. "But Race for Life doesn't end at the finish line and we just hope everyone who took part will get their sponsorship money to us as soon as possible."

8:26am Monday 2nd June 2008

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