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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With less than a month to go until thousands of women gather on Southampton Common for the biggest Race for Life in the country, journalist Kate Thompson explains why the 5km challenge for Cancer Research UK means so much to her.

AS I huff and puff along, pounding the pavements in readiness for Race for life, I must admit there have been moments when I question my sanity.

Mine is not a body built for running - there's too much of it for a start - and any attempt at a jog requires heavy-duty restrictive garments to keep it all in check.

Having ensured nothing will pop out unexpectedly, I find myself going through a new routine every morning as I go out for my half-hour run - checking the latest area of discomfort that has manifested itself overnight. There are new aches and pains to contend with every day - there has always been a bit of a twinge in my back and my feet aren't what they used to be. Now my knees seem to be finding the strain a bit too much and my first few steps are always made with some trepidation - more of a hobble than a stride.

My fella is so concerned with the situation, he suggested I run with a mobile phone in case I collapse in a heap somewhere. Having initially scoffed at the idea, I now have my phone firmly clasped in my sweaty palm every step of the way.

I've been taking part in Race for Life for seven years now and, while it never gets any easier, the sense of achievement gets better each time.

The day itself brings a real rollercoaster of emotions. It's nearly ten years since I was diagnosed with cancer and day-to-day it isn't something I think about much now. But getting together on Southampton Common with 10,000 women whose lives have been affected by cancer never fails to touch me.

I'm reminded of how lucky I am to be alive - the great leaps forward in the treatment of cancer have brought a better chance of survival for many more.

As you run round The Common you will see more women declaring they are survivors and that's so heartening - the work carried out by Cancer Research UK is saving lives and making a real difference.

So I may whinge about my aching back and knackered knees but really I'm just glad to be able to take part in one of the best charity events in the world.

And guess what, I'll be back next year, too.

l Join Kate and thousands of women and girls on July 13 and help Southampton reach its £583,000 target for Cancer Research UK. Enter at raceforlife.org/ southwest or call 0871 641 2279.

12:07pm Tuesday 24th June 2008

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