Get on your marks for this year's event (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Get on your marks for this year's event

RACE FOR LIFE: WOMEN from across Swindon are being urged to dust off their trainers and start preparing for this summer's Race For Life.

The event's registration hotline and website go live on Monday, and thousands of eager runners are expected to sign up.

Last year, 2,115 women entered the Swindon event, raising £140,000 for Cancer Research UK, but the charity wants to do even better this year.

Organisers are hoping the race on Sunday, June 6 at Lydiard Country Park want to enlist 2,700 participants.

This year's target has been set at £185,000.

The event is the fifth to be held in Swindon and has an emotional edge for many participants who take part in memory of loved ones who have been lost to cancer. Runners often wear cards on their backs bearing the name of their loved one.

Women can run, jog or walk the 5km course, either by themselves or in a team.

Last year's winner, Amy Stiles, 29, from Calne, finished in 17 minutes and 25 seconds.

Amy took part in memory of her gran, who had died from cancer two years previously.

Organiser Karina Morgan, 27, of Maidstone Road, Old Town, said the cash raised would play a vital part in the fight against cancer.

She said: "The statistics for cancer are startling.

"One in three people will get the disease, which is a massive number, and 136,000 women will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

"Every penny raised will go directly to research into the prevention and treatment of cancer.

"We are making progress, but there is still a hell of a lot more work that needs to be done."

The charity funds the work of 3,000 scientists and doctors across the country.

Since the first Race For Life was launched in 1994, more than 700,000 women have helped raise £35 million for vital research.

Swindon's race is one of 150 taking place across the country.

Anyone wanting to enter should call 08705 134314 or log onto www.raceforlife.org. The entry fee is £8.50.

Although the event is restricted to women, men can take part in the Swindon Cycle for Life, which will be launched later in the year.

Tamash Lal